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  • Capt. Jerry Flowers, special agent supervisor for the Department of Agriculture investigative services, talks prior to a meeting of the Oklahoma Cattlemen Association. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)

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October 15, 2011

Official says cattle thefts are down statewide

By Cass Rains, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — LAHOMA — Although cattle thefts are down from last year, ranchers still need to take steps to protect their herds and property.

An official from Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry’s department of special investigative services spoke to area ranchers and cattlemen Thursday during an Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Fall Gathering in Lahoma.

Special Agent Supervisor Capt. Jerry Flowers gave an update on cattle thefts to more than 50 ranchers and also spoke on preventative measures to cut down on cattle thefts and agricultural equipment thefts.

“Much like the old days, we have cattle rustlers,” he said.

This year, the number of thefts investigated by the ODAFF are down and Flowers credits that to ranchers taking appropriate steps to prevent rustlers from getting to their herds and properly branding and registering their cattle.

Agents don’t just investigate cattle thefts, he said. Agents investigate thefts of equipment and metals from farms across the state.

“We’re having a rash of irrigation pipes being stolen across the state,” he said. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of equipment thefts.”

Agents also are responsible for investigating arson, wild fires and the theft of timber in the state.

Flowers was happy to report vigilant farmers and ranchers have helped decrease the number of cattle thefts.

In 2010, about 1,500 head of cattle were stolen in Oklahoma, a number that has shrunk to about 700 so far this year — a fact Flowers attributes to awareness among producers and the steps they take to protect their livestock and property.

Last year, agriculture-related crimes cost Oklahomans about $4.5 million, he said. This year, losses have been reported at a cost of $1.2 million for the year.

“We’re putting a lot of people in jail for stealing cattle,” he said. “It’s been a problem in Oklahoma for years and years.”

Flowers said ranchers and farmers need to eliminate “easy targets” for thieves. Livestock needs to be kept well away from the road in a secure pen, as does agricultural equipment. Count cattle on a regular basis and make frequent checks on herds and animals, he said.

Cattle need to be branded and the brand registered with Oklahoma’s Cattlemen’s Association, he said.

“We can identify the owner,” Flowers said. “If it’s not registered, it’s like a needle in a haystack.”

Flowers said the decline in agriculture-related crime is due to proactive investigation efforts by his agents and efforts of ranchers and farmers to protect their property.

“We tell people to ‘be a nosy neighbor,’” he said. “If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.”

Flowers urged farmers and ranchers to stop and speak to those they see loading cattle, and find out who they are and what they’re doing. If something is suspicious, contact local law enforcement and obtain descriptions and license plate numbers.

Flowers’ unit has nine investigators stationed throughout the state. Investigators work with local and county law enforcement, offering assistance to many agencies across the state. They are Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training certified peace officers. Special Agent Donnie Crain investigates crimes in northwest Oklahoma.

Flowers said nearly all his investigators have worked for other law enforcement agencies across the state, including himself. He retired from the city police department as a detective after more than 30 years of service.

Thursday’s OCA Fall Gathering was hosted by Charles and Nancy Buckminster. The next one is 5:45 p.m. Oct. 18 at Coyote Hills Ranch in Chattanooga.

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