New Mexico Statutes Chapter 77. Animals and Livestock § 77-9-4. Penalty for failure to brand or rebrand; certain sales prohibited

A. All livestock required to be branded pursuant to the provisions of Section 77-9-3 NMSA 1978 shall bear the identical and complete brand recorded in the name of the present owner with the board or, in the alternative, the livestock shall bear the identical and complete brand of a former owner as recorded with the board, in which case, the livestock shall be accompanied by a bill of sale from the former owner to the person claiming to be the present owner, which bill of sale meets the requirements of Section 77-9-22 NMSA 1978.

B. The bill of sale shall contain a written statement by the former owner granting permission to the present owner to use the recorded brand appearing on the livestock, listed in the bill of sale and filed with the board; otherwise the livestock shall be rebranded within thirty days from the date of purchase.

C. A person shall not sell, buy or receive any livestock in the state unless the livestock is branded or has other means of identification acceptable to the board except livestock directly imported from another state. Except as provided in Section 77-9-16 NMSA 1978, as recompiled  1, all livestock shall be branded with a New Mexico brand within thirty days of entry into the state.

D. A person who violates the provisions of either Section 77-9-3 NMSA 1978 or this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978 for each head.