Staffing costs drive fee increase for program meant to deter livestock theft

Staffing costs drive fee increase for program meant to deter livestock theft

Cattle in a pasture near Saint Onge, South Dakota. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)PIERRE — South Dakota’s Brand Board will raise its livestock ownership inspection fee for the first time since 2013, after a legislative committee approved the rule change Tuesday. The committee, made up of three state senators and three state representatives, voted 5-1 in favor of the change. Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, voted no. The Brand Board is res…