Released January 30, 2009
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - News of cattle rustling, seemingly an annual occurrence, hit the media circuit last week, causing livestock producers to circle their wagons. Unfortunately, a combination of changing times and traits that have stood the test of time seem to play into the hands of those who look across the fence for their cash cow.
“Was anyone around at the time?” seems to be a re-occurring question following a rustling event. About 75 percent of Benton County farmers are involved in cattle production, and I doubt this percent varies much across neighboring counties and states. To make ends meet, over half of our producers work off the farm, most by as many as 200 days each year.
You now have an answer to that question!
As with most home burglaries, the thief seems to know our daily routine better than we do. Distance between the home farm and fields where cattle are being wintered is an additional factor. Due to economics, producers access available rental property when and where they can, with distance management becoming part of the routine.
Winter feeding serves to assist the thief as most cattle have mastered the routine of gathering close when anyone with hay or feed drives into the field. As long as there is a promise of being fed, cattle seem to throw normal caution to the wind.
Relationships with neighbors, if any live near remote field locations, are simply not as open as before. Always in a hurry, producers may not take time to talk shop or catch up on things. A quick wave usually has to suffice as they close the gate and drive on to other waiting list of chores.
Camouflage also comes to mind when I think of rustlers. As true chameleons, rustlers blend in by looking, dressing, acting, driving pickup trucks and pulling cattle trailers just like real cowboys. Let’s face it; this is the classic situation of cowboys stealing from cowboys without having to wear a mask!!
COOL and other ID tagging programs offer potential to hang rustlers, if only by the required and lengthy documentation effort. Suffice it to say, rustlers have plied their trade for centuries and I suspect we may be reading a similar story at this time again next winter.
For information about cattle production, contact your county extension agent. For information about cattle rustling, contact your county sheriff’s office.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/january2009/0130seay.htm
Contact: Lamar James, (501) 671-2187, ljames@uaex.edu
