Ag Alert November 4, 2026

NATIONWIDE NEWS

Protecting your herd: Modern solutions for livestock theft

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, your approved insurance and financial services company. High livestock prices are great news for ranchers, cow/calf producers, dairy oper- ators and hog farmers. But strong markets also bring increased risk. As livestock val- ues rise, so does the incentive for theft and its financial impact on producers. Without a solid risk management strategy and the right insurance coverage, you could lose revenue you’ve worked hard to build. “The threat of livestock theft has evolved and changed a lot over the years. Today, it can happen to just about anyone,” said Nationwide Senior Consultant Erin Cum- ings. “Dairy operations and hog producers face the same escalating theft risks as cat- tle ranchers, since rising pork and dairy prices make those animals equally attrac- tive targets.” Livestock theft has picked up in recent years, driven in part by higher market val- ues. In 2025, for example, Texas law en- forcement officials recovered almost $13 million in stolen livestock alone. Incidents like the theft of 64 Holstein calves—each worth around $2,000—from an Ohio farm in May 2026 and more than $400,000 in beef cattle stolen from a Colorado ranch the previous summer highlight the grow- ing trend. Livestock theft has evolved When you think of livestock theft, you probably picture cut fences and missing calves. But the crime has evolved over the years. Today, producers can lose the live- stock equity they’ve built in many ways, both physically and on paper. Stealing unbranded young calves: These are harder to trace once they enter the auction circuit. Exploiting hogs and dairy calves: Hogs

load quickly, lack individual ID without RFID tags and face fewer brand inspection laws. Dairy bull calves, often sold off and frequently moved, are also easy targets. Baiting near fences: Thieves place feed near fences to gather animals. They then return at night to load them onto trailers. Using running brands: Thieves use running brands to alter existing brands on cattle, making it easier to move stolen animals to states with less strict brand laws. Using drones and game cameras: Thieves use drones and game cameras to scout pastures and track producers’ movements. Check-kiting in livestock operations: This is a form of bank fraud exploiting the “float” period when bad checks create ar- tificial funds to buy livestock or pay fees. Buying “phantom herds” or dou- ble-counting: Fraudsters solicit funds for cattle purchases but pocket the money. Some may double-count herds they’re using for collateral for multiple loans. Falsifying dairy records and dou- ble-collateral: Thieves may misrepresent milk production to secure loans or use dairy cattle as collateral for multiple loans. As livestock theft methods evolve, so do the challenges of managing and monitor- ing your herd. For many producers, live- stock are spread across multiple pastures, barns or facilities, sometimes miles apart and not always within sight. That distance creates opportunity for theft to go unnoticed. The longer it takes to recognize something is wrong, the more difficult it becomes to respond, recover an- imals or prevent further loss. In today’s environment, it’s not just Distance and limited visibility create risk

As rising market values drive an increase in livestock theft, remote cellular security cameras allow producers to monitor barns, pastures and remote facilities around the clock.

connections. This makes them especially effective in monitoring remote pastures, hog confinement buildings and unattend- ed dairy calf facilities. “These types of cameras not only give you a clear, around-the-clock view of your operation, but they also act as a strong vi- sual deterrent,” Cumings said. “If some- one can quickly see that your premises are monitored 24/7, they’re much less likely to target your livestock.” Nationwide policyholders are eligible for preferred pricing on Barn Owl cellular camera systems. To learn more about how you can save on Barn Owl and other Agtech solutions, visit Nationwide.com/AgTech. Make sure you are covered Contact your Nationwide Farm Certi- fied agent today to review your livestock insurance coverage, learn more about Agri- Choice® policy options and discuss the best ways to protect your livelihood from theft. Visit AgInsightCenter.com for more re- sources and expert tips to help you run a successful business and maintain the safe- ty of your operation. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2026 Nationwide

about securing livestock—it’s about know- ing what’s happening across your opera- tion at any given time. When visibility is limited, even the best prevention practices can fall short. Around-the-clock surveillance: Barn owl cellular cameras Ear-tagging and branding are centu- ries-old practices that still provide essen- tial security. So too does making sure gates, buildings and equipment are locked down. Producers can also work closely with in- dustry partners to ensure all herd docu- ments match actual animal numbers. And technology is leveling the playing field for producers by enabling them to keep a close eye on their animals regardless of how far away their dairy barns or pastures are. Tools like Barn Owl remote security cam- era systems make it possible to monitor live- stock and facilities, even in remote locations. These remote security camera systems de- tect and alert you to unplanned activity, such as vehicles entering a pasture or unfamiliar movement in a barn. Real-time notifications allow you to respond immediately instead of discovering a loss after the fact. Because they operate on cellu- lar networks, they don’t require Wi-Fi

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November 4, 2026 Ag Alert 19