The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to ensure healthy natural resources, environment, and economy for Oregonians now and in the future through inspection and certification, regulation, and promotion of agriculture and food. The vision of the Oregon Department of Agriculture is to remain able to serve the changing needs of Oregon's diverse agricultural and food sectors to maintain and enhance a healthy natural resource base and strong economy in rural and urban communities across the state.
The aim of the Animal Health and Identification programs are to enhance economic production of livestock. We accomplish this through working toward the control and eradication of animal diseases (including those transmissible to humans), prevent livestock theft by denying a market for stolen animals through recording of brands and inspection of animals, and ensuring animal feeds meet nutritional and labeling standards.
This position is in the Livestock Brand Inspection Program. The goals of this program are to provide brand inspection and brand recording services to the livestock industry to deter losses and help assist in disposition of estray livestock. These goals are accomplished through close working relationships with the industry, neighboring states and many local, state and federal agencies.
The primary purpose of this position is to perform livestock brand inspection duties in an assigned area to deny a market for stolen livestock in Oregon.
Duties
Livestock Inspections:
Examines livestock (cattle and horses) to distinguish brands, marks and other identifying characteristics. Inspection may be visual or visual and physical (feeling hide for scars/marks).
Evaluates evidence of ownership to determine if it is adequate according to criteria established in Oregon Revised Statutes 604.
Records brands and other identifying marks on official brand inspection documents.
Writes official brand inspection document and distributes copies.
Seizes, holds or otherwise prevents the movement of livestock when inadequate evidence of ownership is provided. This may be accomplished by writing an embargo notice or arranging for physical confinement of the livestock.
Collects brand inspection and Beef Council fees at the time the brand inspection document is written.
Checks quarantine herd lists to ensure animals quarantined for brucellosis are not sold without proper release.
Enforcement of Livestock Laws
Examines and investigates estray livestock. Visually and physically (feels hide) examines estray cattle and horses to distinguish brands, marks and other identifying characteristics.
Investigates to determine owner. This may consist of door-to-door contact with neighbors; telephone and/or person-to-person contact with law enforcement officials. Visual examination of tracks, broken fences.