 During the spring and summer, many ranches are busy branding. Branding can be a lot of work and take a lot of time, but what is it used for and what are its origins? Branding is the marking of livestock. It dates back to the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Branding became widespread in areas with large expanses of grazing, such as Spain. Branding is now common over much of North America and Australia. Its grazing expanses livestock from different owners frequently become mixed together. Brands provide proof of ownership. Originally, all brands were hot iron brands, heated in a fire. Today, hot irons are heated with electricity, propane, and wood fires. There are also freeze brands where irons are cooled with liquid nitrogen. Freeze brands are common on horses. There are some temporary types of branding, sheep are commonly branded with branding and fluid that resembles a heavy paint. Irons are dipped into the paint and then stamped on the wool of the sheep. Today branding remains an important and vital tool for livestock owners to provide proof of ownership and to help prevent that to valuable livestock. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Barton Stam, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.