Deadline approaches for cattle brand renewals in Montgomery County

The 10-year renewal period for cattle brands in Montgomery County ends Feb. 28. The county’s farm bureau is encouraging farmers to get their brands registered and protected before the deadline.

According to the county clerk’s office—where brands are recorded—farmers can fill out a form available online and submit it to the clerk’s office. Applications can be mailed, dropped off or completed at the clerk’s office at 210 W. Davis St. in Conroe, but applications that are being mailed or dropped off must be notarized.

All holders of a brand recorded as of Aug. 30, 2021, are required to reregister brands they intend to use. Reregistering opened Aug. 31.

Mason Parish, a director of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau, registered his first personal brand in 2022 and reregistered his family brand. Parish said brands preserve a ranch’s legacy in addition to helping identify cattle.

"Montgomery County has a rich history in the cattle industry, with brands spanning generations and new operations opening each year,” Parish said. "I am proud to register my cattle brand, in addition to reregistering my grandpa's brand to continue to build on our family legacy of raising high-quality cattle."

Failure to reregister an existing brand before the deadline means a rancher’s legal right to the brand is no longer protected and the design can be used by anyone. Existing brands can be viewed through the county clerk's database.

Forms for registering a brand can be found here. The county clerk’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.