Holstein heist: 64 calves stolen from farm, total loss of over $100K
“Two different stages of cattle in that barn, again, which leads you to believe that somebody directly involved in this industry is involved somehow.”
www.wsoctv.comHere’s the latest I could compile on the Mercer County calf theft.
- What happened: About 64 Holstein calves, roughly 13 weeks old and weighing ~250 pounds each, were reportedly stolen from a farm near Coldwater in Mercer County, Ohio, sometime between the evening of May 2 and the early morning of May 3, 2026. Authorities say the theft was rapid and appears to involve someone with cattle-handling experience.[1][2][4][6]
- Estimated value: The calves were valued at about $2,000 each, with reports noting a total loss potentially over $100,000 to $128,000 depending on source and calf valuation at the time.[3][5][6][1]
- Suspects and investigation: Officials described the incident as highly coordinated and suggested familiarity with the livestock industry as a likely factor. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office stated the investigation is ongoing and asked for tips from the public; no arrests were publicly announced as of the latest updates.[6][1][3]
- Public and media coverage: Multiple outlets across local, regional, and national feeds reported the case, including Brownfield Ag News, WHIO, WHIO-TV, and USA Today, often highlighting the scale and the potential for a black-market angle given current cattle-price dynamics.[5][10][1][3]
Would you like:
- A concise timeline of events with dates and times from the reporting, or
- A map-style summary of where the theft occurred and where cattle might be traced (auctions, depots) based on the reported locations and typical cattle movement paths, or
- A brief set of steps for farmers in the area on how to strengthen security and how to report tips to authorities?
If you want the sources, I can list the latest articles with links for further reading.