Prairie cattle industry seeing shift from theft to fraud-related losses

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Calgary, Alta. (Rural Roots Canada) – Livestock theft still happens on the Prairies, but industry officials say it is often not the only risk producers face.

Instead, fraud and poor business arrangements are appearing more frequently in the files that they handle.

Officials with Livestock Identification Services in Alberta and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan say cases tied to trust and paperwork can be just as damaging as outright theft.

Shawn McLean, manager with Livestock Identification Services in Alberta, said theft does occur, even if it is not widespread.

He said producers should remain alert, especially with cattle values where they are today.

“Be aware of what’s going on,” McLean said. “If you see something that doesn’t look right, whether it’s suspicious vehicles or something out of place, take a look.”

McLean said investigations often extend beyond what many would consider traditional cattle theft.

Fraud is a recurring issue. One example is double financing, where the same group of cattle is used to secure loans from more than one lender.

More commonly, he said, problems arise when cattle are placed with someone else for care and oversight is limited.

“People in the ag industry are very trusting,” he said. “Sometimes we look past red flags.”

That can lead to situations where animals go missing, are in poor condition or are not properly accounted for.

In Saskatchewan, Livestock Services are seeing similar patterns.

Jason Pollock, an official with the organization, said outright theft tends to be a crime of opportunity, often linked to remote pastures or predictable routines.

But more cases involve disagreements, unclear arrangements or people misrepresenting themselves.

“We’ll see fraud, we’ll see bad business arrangements,” he said. “Things that happen that are not intended when people start out a relationship together.”

Both organizations emphasize inspections and documentation as key tools for reducing risk.

In Saskatchewan, cattle and horses must be inspected before sale and before leaving the province. The process helps confirm ownership and creates a record tied to each transaction.

The official said many producers encounter inspections at auction marts, where animals are checked before sale.

But inspections can also be used earlier in the process.

Having cattle inspected when they enter a custom grazing or care arrangement can help prevent disputes later.

“If you say you dropped off 100 and the caretaker says it was 95, who’s correct,” he said.

An independent inspection at the start creates a record both parties can rely on.

In remote operations, producers can also reduce risk by using cameras, posting signage and staying connected with neighbours who can help monitor cattle.

Branding remains one of the strongest tools available.

“The brand is proof of ownership,” Pollock said. “If you branded your cattle, that’s your mark.”

Both organizations stress that timing matters if something goes wrong.

Producers are encouraged to report missing animals as soon as possible, even if they are not certain a theft has occurred.

Reports can be shared across jurisdictions and with law enforcement, improving the chances of recovery.

Waiting too long can limit what investigators are able to do.

“The sooner we know, the better we feel we can help,” the Saskatchewan official said.

McLean said his work is rooted in supporting the people who make up the industry.

“You always learn something every day from somebody,” he said. “It’s a great community to work with.”

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