THE TERM “CATTLE RUSTLING” HARKENS BACK TO THE DAYS OF THE OLD WEST…BUT IT STILL HAPPENS IN THE 21ST CENTURY. EDDY COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING RECENT CATTLE THEFTS ON RANCHES AROUND CARLSBAD.
DALENE HODNETT WITH THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU SAYS CATTLE THIEVES HAVE AN INCENTIVE. THERE’S A SIGNIFICANT RETURN ON RUSTLING CATTLE BECAUSE BEEF PRICES RIGHT NOW ARE HIGH.
HODNETT SAYS IT’S HARD TO IMMEDIATELY DETECT CATTLE RUSTLING SINCE RANCHES ARE OFTEN IN REMOTE AREAS. BUT SHE SAYS NEW MEXICO’S STRICT BRANDING LAWS MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET AWAY WITH IT.
