It was last week that the Washington Post and other national news sources were reporting on missing calves in the local area. In December, the Forum reported that as many as 180 head had disappeared last fall. Then, several area ranchers and a few brand inspectors gave their insight into the matter.
In the last month or so, some news has circulated online about cattle theft, specifically a bust in Texas. Some wondered if there was a connection to Colorado.
On April 9, the Forum followed up with Todd Inglee, the Colorado State Brand Inspector. Inglee told the Forum the local investigation of missing calves is still active. As of last week, at least 18 had been found. Of those, 10 were confirmed — five from one herd and five from another. Another eight were reportedly located too, but that hadn’t been confirmed with the state.
Inglee said the few missing calves were discovered in an area they’d been grazing last fall.
In the last several months, Inglee has received many tips. He said people in the West End have shared a variety of possible scenarios with him. The county sheriff’s offices are involved and leading the investigations at this point.
The Forum asked about the bust in Texas, and Inglee said that situation was different and not related to western Colorado. He does know some special rangers in Texas and did speak to his contacts there. He said to his knowledge the Texas rangers haven’t made Colorado connections yet.
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of deals like this going on all across cattle country, brand law state or not,” he said.
Colorado does have a brand law; Other states like Oklahoma and Texas do not.
“It takes a sharp-eyed brand/livestock inspector to notice the missing animals and take action,” he added.
Inglee also said these types of cases show the value of livestock brands.
“Permanent methods of identification (brands) hold their value and help ensure that animals get back home to their rightful owners,” he said.
At the same time, authorities have said they have to consider all possibilities for the missing calves, and that includes predation and disease or sickness.
The Forum spoke with Monte Snyder, of Mex and Sons in Norwood, on April 10. Snyder said he didn’t know any more than the state brand inspector. As of last week, Mex and Sons was still missing 26 head of steer calves; none of the recovered 18 belong to his family’s outfit.
Snyder did say that the sheriff’s office is waiting for the snow to melt, so investigators can get up and go look around. He said finding out what’s under the snowpack could be telling.
The price of beef is high at this time. Brand inspector Josh Sinks told the Forum it’s higher than it’s ever been. He said a 600-pound calf is going for $3.70 to $4 a pound, making a calf worth as much as $2,400. Regardless of what’s happened to the calves, the losses add up for ranchers.
The Forum does run the price of beef from the Delta Sales Yard’s market report in its weekly edition.
