Serving Nucla, Naturita, Norwood & Surrounding Areas
AGRICULTURE 

Where did the cows go? 

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Two weeks ago, a state-wide news report said there were 26 calves missing in San Miguel County, and that authorities were looking into the matter. In the last week, though, that number has jumped to as many as 150 or more in both West Montrose and San Miguel counties, according to local sources. 

What is happening to the cows? Did they all go missing at once? Who or what is responsible? 

The Forum has been speaking with locals in the cattle business — some who don’t wish to be directly quoted — to find out if they believe the cows were stolen, killed by predators or died another way. 

Last week, the Forum did report that 26 calves were missing from the Sanborn Park area. Laura Snyder Sherman confirmed over the weekend those belonged to her family’s outfit. Sherman is third-generation cattlewoman and a part of Mex & Sons, of Norwood. She said she knows of other ranchers who have missing calves too. 

That includes Dave Andrews, of Redvale. Andrews confirmed he was missing some calves this fall, but he cannot claim to know the exact reason. He said he doesn’t necessarily have evidence for anything at this point. His cows were in the region of the Lone Cone. 

The Forum also spoke with Monte Snyder, of Mex & Sons in Norwood. Snyder said the state investigator is on the case. Snyder said all his calves were branded, as were Andrews', per the law in Colorado. Snyder said those ranchers that are missing cattle are missing calves specifically, he thinks — not bulls or mama cows. And, he added that they seem to be missing from public lands, specifically USFS land, where ranchers hold grazing permits. 

Local brand inspector Josh Sinks, of Redvale, said it’s the law to brand calves and there have been branding laws for more than a century to prevent livestock theft. Though, not every state has branding laws; Texas and Oklahoma don’t, for whatever reason. Sinks, who also works the sale barn in Grand Junction, said Colorado brand inspectors take their work seriously and are sure to inspect incoming cows, making sellers unload trailers to get a good look at everything being run through the sale. 

Regan Snyder, whose husband Lothan is a part of the Snyder family and also Mex & Sons, but with whom she also runs a separate husband-and-wife herd with, does suspect foul play. She told the Forum what’s missing are as many as two semi trailers full of cattle. 

“It’s extremely disheartening, knowing that whoever stole the cattle are familiar enough with ranching and agricultural life to have the skills to commit the crime, and at the same time, they must know how hard it is to make a living in such a line of work,” she said. “Yet, they will cut down their brethren to make a quick buck. In my mind, it is no different than cannibalistic behavior.”

The Forum also contacted Janie Van Winkle, a former president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. VanWinkle suggested speaking with Todd Inglee, Colorado Brand Commissioner. Inglee, who was in meetings most of Monday, took time to speak to the Forum the afternoon of Dec. 9. 

He said his office is looking at all possibilities: predation; poison from plant toxicity or something else in the environment; strays that wandered off and weren’t gathered; and, yes, theft. 

“(Theft) is a possibility early in the investigation phase,” Inglee said. “The numbers that are coming up missing are more than what is typical than you’d lose to natural loss, coming off the mountain. It automatically makes you wonder … something is not normal.”

He said he knows the local area is rough country. He said there’s always a chance something is missing and didn’t get gathered, and at the same time, his office does get involved when theft is a concern. 

Inglee said because Colorado is a brand state, ranchers must report any missing livestock as soon as possible, so the local brand inspector can go out into the field and complete a report. He admitted this can be challenging when cows are run on federal leases, because there’s no need to check cows for a month or so. Then it’s difficult to pin down a time and date, if animals do go missing. 

Inglee said all should know that his office involves law enforcement, including local police departments, the county sheriff’s office, and the state patrol. He also works with sale barns and the county seats, and does so in surrounding states. 

“It’s like a most wanted list at the post office,” he said. 

He echoed Sinks in that 80 percent of the brand office’s work is preventative in nature, and the regulations are in place to make sure issues don’t happen. Still, Inglee said it’s true that sometimes cattle are indeed lost or stolen. 

Inglee has only been on the job at the state level since February. In that time, he’s learned that “the wheels of justice move slowly.” He said, though, that there are breaks in cases, and someone will inevitably make a mistake or say something, or animals do turn up. 

He confirmed the latest missing count in San Miguel and West Montrose counties was more than 150 head. He added his office, through the state’s Department of Agriculture, does post missing cattle at the end of each month, along with numbers, descriptions and brands.

“We think in generalities,” he said at the end of the interview. “The three to four possibilities are on the table, and we haven’t ruled out any of them.”

He said that cattlemen in Colorado should be aware of their surroundings, watch out for unusual trucks and trailers and communicate with their neighbors. He said ranchers should vary their patterns and not check cows the same times and days routinely. 

He said his office will be able to say more soon hopefully, but until then, he must continue working with law enforcement.