Abstract: Apparatus for marking livestock and other articles includes a pivoted support structure for a marking head. The support structure contacts the animal and adjusts the marking head position appropriately for marking the animal. An electrical switch detects the presence of the livestock within the support structure, formed as a hood for contacting the animal to be marked, and activates a number of solenoids, in a predetermined sequence, for marking the animal. The marking control circuitry includes solenoids for inking the marking head and for reinking the inking pad. A control is provided for adjusting the number of times an animal is to be marked in a pass through the apparatus.