Cattle Rustling Gets National Coverage

Articles focused on the growing resurgence of cattle rustling site higher cattle prices as a motivating force behind the recent crime increase.

An Article published on October 30, 2006, in USA Today, reports in 2005 $6.2 million in livestock thefts occurred – up from $4 million in 2004. The escalation of the cattle industry, according to Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association spokesman John McBride, has led to the recent increase of crime. Even high profile ranchers, such as baseball legend Nolan Ryan, have fallen victim to cattle rustling. Recently dozens of cows and calves were reported missing from Ryan’s Texas ranch. TSCRA investigators have been diligently monitoring livestock markets and getting results. Breaks in the Ryan case came from the thefts trying to sell the stolen cattle at market.

Missouri has also been the scene of cattle rustling crimes. The second highest cattle producing state, behind Texas, has recently instituted a new cattle-theft hotline for producers to report suspicious activity and stolen cattle. The Missouri Cattle Theft Hotline can be reached at (866) 362-6422.

You can read more about the USA Today story on MyCattle.com.

Tips on protecting your herd can be found at the MFA Health Track Web site.

Short Supplies of Cattle Feed Expected After Winter

The scarcity of hay and lower crop yields look to impact the supply of cattle feed after the winter months pass, but Midwestern corn crops could help keep cattle prices in the green. The drought is the culprit in the market rumblings. Because of the drought producers and ranchers have had to find alternative feeds. The burgeoning ethanol industry has given herds a ready source of corn stalks to use as winter-feed. Read more about this story on AmercianCowman.com.

Animal ID has Some Farmers Seeing Red

Producers across the country have begun to question the long-term use of the National Animal Identification System. Keeping their family business in their families, while still adhering to the voluntary program is a primary concern.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s effort to protect against outbreaks of devastating livestock diseases has been a source of contention between regulatory organizations and producers for years. Much of the contention remains with the cumbersome reporting the farmers have to do concerning the behavior of their animals.

An education program about the Animal ID program, sponsored by the USDA, is expected to begin this fall, which will be focused on clearing up “misinformation”. To read more about this on MyCattle.com.

Ethanol Plants to Sprout Across America

Efforts to reduce America’s 140 million gallon annual gasoline consumption has led to the recent announcement of Ethanol plants being constructed in the Texas panhandle.

Powerful Cowpies – White Energy and Panda Energy, both Dallas based energy companies, have planned Ethanol plants that will be powered using cow manure in Hereford, TX. The use of cow manure to produce ethanol is surprising, but anyone familiar with cattle knows manure is never in short supply. The Panda plant hopes to produce 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol per year and replace up to 30 million barrels of imported oil. More ethanol plants are expected to built in the coming years due to the increased use of ethanol. Read more about this story on MyCattle.com.

E-Trails Note: Send your interesting news and ideas to - Cole@tlbaa.org.

-Cole Dowden