We run into the same problem here as only part of the state is brand inspected, most of the eastern half is not, I was always told it had something to do with the stockyards in Omaha, the guys that hauled there often raised hell about it and thats why they didnt have to be brand inspected.

Brands can be big business, Ive seen where simple brands that cover the whole side like ours go for $1500 or more, and Ive heard that down in Texas, the sky is the limit, and the less characters, the higher the price.

Heres what I found on the Nebraska brand site

Brand Recording Fees

New Brand Application - $100.00 (Left & Right sides require two seperate applications with seperate checks of $100.00 each)

• Add location - $15 per location (same side only)
• Add freeze - $25.00 per side

Brand Transfer - $35.00

Brand Renewal - $50.00 (Every four years)

So to buy a whole side itd be $130 with a new brand. I look at it as cheap insurance to avoid mixups. Heck if nobody owned the other side, Id probably buy it too, you never know down the road.