A factor of supply and demand has driven cattle prices to historic highs this summer in Oregon. That’s both good news and bad news for the state’s ranchers. They can expect to make a bigger profit when they take their animals to market, but they also potentially face cattle theft from modern-day rustlers who now have a bigger economic incentive to commit a crime. Market prices for cattle are now reaching, in some cases, more than twice the average of just a couple of years ago. The sale of even a few stolen cattle can net a thief a healthy profit. Cases of cattle theft have already been reported this year, including a Malheur County incident in which Butler Ranches is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. It would come as a surprise if this year’s number for missing cattle reported doesn’t exceed last year’s 242 mark. And while only an estimated 20 percent of all missing animals may end up determined as stolen, the dollar amount associated with their theft is significant to the producer. With cattle out on the range, stealing animals and then taking them to market is not the only concern this summer. There is another form of theft. Two-legged predators of livestock are joined by a relatively new four-legged predator in many parts of Eastern Oregon. When cattle are reported missing, wolves are added to the equation as something to consider. Some of the same steps to prevent losses due to theft can be taken to protect livestock from wolves.
