It Happened In Ohio….Cattle Rustlers Hit Wisconsin and the US

(8-6-26) It seems that the ‘Old West’ has returned to the USA. On May 2nd it hit in Mercer County.

NOTE: We have contacted the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office in hopes of an update on the stolen cattle

CATTLE STOLEN “it will never happen to us”

The phrase “it will never happen to us” no longer applies to livestock producers, a harsh reality underscored by the massive theft of 64 weaned Holstein calves worth nearly $130,000 from a farm in Coldwater, Ohio. With market values soaring, modern cattle rustling has evolved far beyond Old West history into a highly organized, lucrative criminal enterprise. Thieves increasingly target young calves, unbranded herds, and animals kept near easy-access highways.

64 Holstein calves stolen from Mercer County barn

WDTNTV

In mid-July this took place in Wisconsin……

Wisconsin Public Radio —- 20 cows stolen in Marathon County, farming community asks for help finding them

Twenty head of cattle valued at approximately $50,000 were stolen from a farm near Edgar, Wisconsin, in Marathon County. The theft occurred overnight between 8:00 p.m. on July 7 and the morning of July 8, 2026, prompting an active investigation by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office.

Incident Details

Location: A farm on Highway 97, situated between Highway N and Blueberry Road, near Edgar and Stratford.
The Livestock: 20 steers (a mix of Holsteins and Holstein-Angus crosses) weighing roughly 800 to 1,000 pounds each.
Identifying Marks: The animals feature white ear tags in their left ears, numbered approximately 100 to 300 (or specifically 170 through 260). They have no brands, tattoos, or RFID tags yet.

Investigation Findings

The Method: Investigators found no signs of forced entry on gates or fences.
Vehicle Evidence: Fresh tire tracks at a gravel entrance off Blueberry Road indicate the suspects backed a heavy-duty dually pickup truck and a livestock trailer directly up to the west side of the barn to load the animals. [1]
Status: Authorities and local agricultural organizations are asking anyone who noticed suspicious trailers or unusual livestock loading on Highway 97 the night of July 7 to come forward.