Various methods are used to identify stock including freeze and fire branding, ear tattoos, tags, woolbrands and earmarks. Different methods are used for different species of stock. These are described in the Brand Certificate. One of the letters may be a lazy letter which means that when it appears on the animal, the letter is placed on its side.
Every earmark consists of a symbol in two positions .
Earmarks are shown in the certificate as the should appear on the ear and as a code, called the coded earmark index. Diagram showing the position of an earmark Upon receival of the Brand Certificate, it is worthwhile to contact neighbours. If the brand or earmarks are similar, a request to change the newly allocated one should be lodged. This will avoid confusion in identifying stock, should they stray. A stock owner will only be allotted one registered brand and one registered earmark for the stock on one run.