Oklahoma ranchers report surge in cattle thefts as beef prices stay high

Cattle thefts in Oklahoma have increased sharply over the past month, according to the Texas & Southwestern Raisers Association. The group announced in September that two people were arrested for stealing cows. It is now reporting several additional cases of missing livestock in the state.

Layne Konkel, who helps operate the Beaver County Stockyards in the Oklahoma panhandle, said the spike is unusual. Stockyard employees typically hear about one or two thefts a year. In the last 45 days, they have heard of eight to ten incidents.

Konkel attributed the increase to the high market value of beef. He said a 500-pound calf can fetch between $2,000 and $2,600. When thieves steal multiple animals, the total value rises quickly.

"One, these cattle are worth a lot of money right now. So I guess, being a cattle thief pays good right now," Konkel said. "But also when people are in trouble financially, they're going to do things they wouldn't normally do."

Konkel noted that while revenue per head is high, operating costs have also risen. "The cost of doing business is higher than it's ever been, and it's not even close," he said. "So cattle, we're making more money on cattle than we've ever made, but it's costing more to do it."

Mark Johnson, an animal science professor at Oklahoma State University, said theft risk is constant but reports often increase when prices are high. He advised ranchers to register brands, keep detailed herd records, and vary their daily inspection schedules. He also suggested placing pens farther from roads.

"Thieves pay attention to stuff like that," Johnson said. "If they know there's a certain point every day between the hours of X and Y that nobody's there. That might be when they know to come try to steal something." He emphasized that rapid action by authorities improves the chance of recovering animals before they are sold.