flounder -- my cattle are PERMANENTLY IDed with a hot iron brand (which doesn't fall out or can be changed with a whim)-- and accompanied/recorded on every cross county move or change of ownership by a State issued certificate...They also are all individually IDed and traceable back for generations (over 40 years history) thru individual eartags- and permanent records... Montana has had a "workable" traceback system for over 100 years.....