Where Brands Are Placed on Livestock

The Six Standard Positions

Brand placement is just as important as the brand design itself. Where you place a brand on an animal affects visibility, readability, and legal compliance. Most states recognize six standard positions, though terminology and requirements vary.

Across the United States, livestock brands are applied to one of six locations on the animal's body. These positions offer optimal visibility and stay consistent as the animal grows.

Left Side

Shoulder LS

Rib LR

Hip LH

Right Side

Shoulder RS

Rib RR

Hip RH

Interactive Brand Placement

Select a state and click a position abbreviation to see where the brand would be placed.

State

CaliforniaTexasColoradoMontanaMissouriOklahoma

Position

LS RS

LR RR

LH RH

Left Side (LR)

Showing example brand • Select your own brand

Why Position Matters

The position of a brand serves multiple purposes beyond simple identification:

• Legal distinction: In most states, the same brand design can be registered to different owners when placed in different positions. However, regulations vary -some states like Arizona prohibit duplicate designs regardless of placement.
• Visibility: Different positions offer varying visibility when cattle are in pens, alleys, or open range. Hip brands are often easiest to see from behind.
• Hide value: Brand placement significantly affects hide value. Hip brands near the tailhead are preferred because they can be trimmed with minimal loss. Rib brands damage the most valuable section of the hide and can reduce value by $5–$25 per head.
• Multiple brands: Ranches sometimes use different positions for different purposes -a ranch brand on one location and an individual animal identifier elsewhere.

State Abbreviation Comparison

While the six standard positions are universal, states use different abbreviations in their brand registries. The table below compares terminology across major cattle states.

Abbreviation Quick Reference

When browsing brand registries, you'll encounter various abbreviation styles. This table shows common codes for each position:

Extended Positions

Beyond the six standard positions, some states allow brands in additional locations:

• Jaw (LJ, RJ): Jaw branding is commonly permitted for horses across many states including Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and New Mexico. Some ranches use jaw brands to designate mare family lineage. For cattle, jaw brands are more restricted -some states prohibit them entirely for ownership identification, while others reserve them for official veterinary marks.
• Neck (LN, RN): Neck brands are permitted for cattle in several states including Oregon, Wisconsin, and New Mexico. Montana reserves neck positions for official use by the Department of Livestock.
• Leg (L, LG): Typically the upper portion of the leg; less common but allowed in some jurisdictions.

Always check your state's specific regulations before selecting a brand position, as requirements vary significantly between jurisdictions.

Best Practices for Placement

• Apply brands to the same position consistently across your herd
• Avoid bony protrusions where the iron won't make even contact
• Choose a position that's easy to see from your working facilities
• Prefer hip placement near the tailhead to preserve hide value -avoid rib brands when possible
• Ensure adequate spacing if using multiple brands on the same animal

For detailed guidance on brand design, iron temperature, and application technique, see our Branding Guidelines article.