Cattle Theft Rises in Saskatchewan as Producers Report Winter Losses
Cattle producers in Saskatchewan are facing an increasing problem of cattle theft as they bring their animals home from pasture for the winter. Livestock Services Saskatchewan’s crime watch advisory network has issued six advisories this week regarding cattle losses, with a total of 31 cows, 43 calves, and a two-year-old Angus bull reported missing from six different farms in the province.
According to Cpl. Owen Third, the RCMP’s livestock investigator in Saskatchewan, the time of year could be a contributing factor to the influx of reports. As producers bring their cows home and haul them out of rented pastures or leased grass, they notice when they might be missing a few cows or calves. Third expects more reports to come in over the next few weeks as more cattle are collected from pastures.
One possible reason for the rise in cattle theft is the high beef prices. Statistics Canada reports that the prices of fresh or frozen beef and pork have increased by 5.3% nationally and 6.3% in Saskatchewan compared to last year. These record prices make stealing livestock an appealing option for those looking to profit from the market.
The thefts vary in nature, with witness reports suggesting the involvement of a white Dodge Ram and a blue all-terrain vehicle in the case of 25 Charolais cows and five calves missing from the Cowessess First Nations pasture. In another incident, 30 calves were reported missing from the Cando pasture south of North Battleford. Predation may have caused some of the deaths, but cattle theft has not been ruled out.
Garner Deobald, president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, acknowledges that cattle theft is an ongoing problem in the region. The economic impact for producers can vary depending on the number of cattle stolen. Electronic ear tags or branding are easier to identify at the point of sale than other tags, such as dangle tags that can be easily replaced.
To combat this issue, the RCMP and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan have urged producers to register their livestock on an online platform called Everbridge. This will help authorities better track and recover stolen cattle.
Authorities are taking the matter seriously and are working to educate prosecutors and the court on how to handle these cases. The going fine in Alberta for cattle theft is $500 per stolen animal, and Saskatchewan is considering similar fines and charges.
Cattle theft remains an ongoing concern, but efforts are being made to address the issue and protect the interests of cattle producers in Saskatchewan. By raising awareness, implementing tracking measures, and working closely with law enforcement, the hope is to reduce the number of cattle thefts and minimize the losses experienced by producers.
