BOISE, Idaho — More than 150 cattle valued at about $350,000 have been reported missing in southeastern Idaho, and authorities suspect modern-day cattle rustling as beef prices have soared.
“Right now it’s just insane what those things are worth — it scares me to death,” Idaho State Brand Inspector Larry Hayhurst said. “Which means the incentive is there.”
Three ranchers say roundup searches in recent weeks in the hills and gulches on the remote summer range where the cattle graze have come up empty in two counties.
The losses include a herd of 50 Black Angus consisting of 25 cows and 25 calves valued at $150,000. Another herd of 41 cow-calf pairs, meaning 82 animals total, plus 10 cow-calf pairs, or 20 animals, from another rancher also have been reported missing. Those missing cattle are valued at about $200,000.
Authorities note that typically one or two cow-calf pairs go missing almost every year. An entire herd disappearing is something else.
