TSCRA Special Rangers are not only trained in all facets of
law enforcement, but are knowledgeable about the cattle
industry. They frequently provide educational programs on theft
prevention and proper branding procedures.
The law enforcement officers are aided in their efforts by 70
TSCRA market inspectors who identify around 4 million cattle each year at more than 110 Texas livestock markets. They
report their findings to TSCRA’s Fort Worth headquarters,
where the information is entered into the largest centralized
and computerized brand recording and retrieval system in the
nation. Headquarters support staff distribute information on
missing/stolen livestock to more than 700 law enforcement
agencies nationwide.
The brand inspection service provided by TSCRA at auction markets is paid for by a service fee collected at the markets and forwarded to TSCRA. Crime investigation and property recovery services provided by TSCRA Special Rangers are paid for by TSCRA membership dues.
The inspection program was authorized by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture through an act of Congress in 1942.