276.606.  Definitions. — As used in sections 276.600 to 276.661, the following terms mean:

  (1)  "Agent", any person authorized to act for a livestock dealer;

  (2)  "Dealer transactions", any purchase, sale, or exchange of livestock by a dealer, or agent, representative, or consignee of a dealer or person in which any interest equitable or legal is acquired or divested whether directly or indirectly;

  (3)  "Director", the director of the Missouri department of agriculture or his designated representative;

  (4)  "Engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging in commerce livestock", sales and purchases of greater frequency than the person would make in feeding operation under the normal operation of a farm, if the person is a farmer.  If the person is not a farmer he is a dealer engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging in commerce livestock;

  (5)  "Livestock", cattle, swine, sheep, goats, horses and poultry, llamas, alpaca, buffalo, bison, and other domesticated or semidomesticated or exotic animals;

  (6)  "Livestock dealer", any person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging in commerce of livestock;

  (7)  "Livestock transactions", any purchase, sale or exchange of livestock by a person, whether or not a livestock dealer, in which any interest equitable or legal is acquired or divested whether directly or indirectly;

  (8)  "Official ear tag", a metal or plastic ear tag prescribed by the director conforming to the nine character alpha-numeric national uniform ear-tagging system;

  (9)  "Person", any individual, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity;

  (10)  "State veterinarian", the state veterinarian of the Missouri department of agriculture, or his appointed agent.