WEBVTT 00:00.964 --> 00:04.664 America's Heartland is made possible by... 00:04.664 --> 00:09.364 Farm Credit - Financing agriculture and rural America since 1916. 00:09.364 --> 00:12.964 Farm Credit is cooperatively owned by America's farmers and ranchers. 00:12.964 --> 00:15.131 Learn more at farmcredit.com 00:16.364 --> 00:19.164 CropLife America - Representing the companies whose 00:19.164 --> 00:22.798 modern farming innovations help America's farmers provide 00:22.798 --> 00:25.731 nutritious food for communities around the globe. 00:27.431 --> 00:29.131 Hi I'm Jason Shoultz. 00:29.131 --> 00:31.864 Do you like steak on the grill at those summer barbecues? 00:31.864 --> 00:34.131 Well, thank an American rancher. 00:34.131 --> 00:36.764 Let's head for the wide open spaces on America's Heartland 00:36.764 --> 00:39.498 this time for some stories about better beef, 00:39.498 --> 00:43.298 Texas longhorns, and stopping modern day cattle rustlers. 00:44.264 --> 00:45.931 Come along to California where state officials 00:45.931 --> 00:47.698 are taking a hard line on cattle theft 00:47.698 --> 00:51.731 using technology and old west traditions. 00:51.731 --> 00:53.698 If I said "longhorns" you'd think Texas. 00:53.698 --> 00:57.898 But we'll take you to a longhorn cattle roundup in Ohio. 00:57.898 --> 01:00.931 Then... a Kansas family traces its ranching roots 01:00.931 --> 01:02.931 back more than a century and changes 01:02.931 --> 01:07.164 the color of its cows to market their beef. 01:07.164 --> 01:09.564 And we'll introduce you to an Idaho couple adding elk 01:09.564 --> 01:11.998 to the ranching operation on their land. 01:11.998 --> 01:14.464 It's all coming up on America's Heartland. 01:17.298 --> 01:23.898 ♪You can see it in the eyes Of every woman and man♪ 01:23.898 --> 01:29.831 ♪In America's Heartland living close to the land♪ 01:29.831 --> 01:35.898 ♪There's a love for the country And a pride in the brand♪ 01:35.898 --> 01:38.931 ♪In America's Heartland♪ 01:38.931 --> 01:44.298 ♪Living close Close to the land♪ 01:44.298 --> 01:53.498 ♪♪ 01:53.498 --> 01:55.998 If beef is a regular item on your dinner table, 01:55.998 --> 01:57.498 well, you're not alone. 01:57.498 --> 02:00.098 Americans will consume more than 25 billion pounds 02:00.098 --> 02:01.764 of beef each year. 02:01.764 --> 02:04.331 And those numbers are just one indication of how 02:04.331 --> 02:07.898 important cattle ranching is to our economy. 02:07.898 --> 02:09.064 How many ranches? 02:09.064 --> 02:12.364 Well, there are some 750 thousand ranching operations 02:12.364 --> 02:14.531 in the United States raising millions 02:14.531 --> 02:16.464 of beef cattle for market. 02:16.464 --> 02:19.698 And while "steak" is the number one pick in choices, 02:19.698 --> 02:22.198 ground beef is the big winner when it comes to 02:22.198 --> 02:26.164 beef being used in a whole variety of recipes. 02:26.164 --> 02:28.831 And don't forget millions of burgers being sold at fast 02:28.831 --> 02:31.598 food restaurants around the world. 02:31.598 --> 02:35.331 Midwesterners top the list of beef consumers in the U.S. 02:35.331 --> 02:38.831 followed by folks in the south, west, 02:38.831 --> 02:40.731 and then the northeast. 02:40.731 --> 02:41.698 The average American will eat 02:41.698 --> 02:45.398 more than 65 pounds of beef a year. 02:45.398 --> 02:48.864 There are hundreds of breeds of cattle around the world. 02:48.864 --> 02:52.031 Ranchers may choose to raise a certain breed because of climate 02:52.031 --> 02:56.064 landform, or a particular of beef that's in demand. 02:56.064 --> 02:58.964 And if you've ever spent time watching Hollywood westerns, 02:58.964 --> 03:00.731 you're probably familiar with a certain 03:00.731 --> 03:04.264 breed that once roamed wild in the American West. 03:04.264 --> 03:07.631 Our Sarah Gardner sets out to find some "longhorn" cattle. 03:07.631 --> 03:09.264 But not in Texas. 03:09.264 --> 03:25.198 ♪♪ 03:25.198 --> 03:27.198 Come on girls, come on sweethearts... whooo. 03:27.198 --> 03:29.564 Darol Dickinson and his wife Linda started their longhorn 03:29.564 --> 03:32.031 cattle career in Colorado. 03:32.031 --> 03:34.731 But it's here in Ohio that the family found its fortune 03:34.731 --> 03:38.098 in beef with the Dickinson Cattle Company. 03:38.098 --> 03:42.264 Raising cattle is grass and management and water, and 03:42.264 --> 03:45.864 things like that; so, this is great cattle country here. 03:45.864 --> 03:48.464 We're in the Ohio River Valley grasslands. 03:48.464 --> 03:50.864 It's wonderful grass country. 03:50.864 --> 03:53.598 The family ranches on more than four thousand acres and 03:53.598 --> 03:56.731 welcomes visitors with farm tours in the summer. 03:56.731 --> 04:00.664 Buyers and visitors alike come to see the Longhorns. 04:00.664 --> 04:02.498 Do you think that's a pretty cow there? 04:02.498 --> 04:03.331 I think she's beautiful. 04:03.331 --> 04:04.631 She's black and white spackled; 04:04.631 --> 04:08.364 she's got curly horns; she's got a sweet disposition; 04:08.364 --> 04:10.964 she raises beautiful calves. 04:10.964 --> 04:12.764 [cow moos] 04:12.764 --> 04:15.698 Darol, along with his wife and children oversee the 04:15.698 --> 04:19.064 "meat" of the business here: raising and marketing 04:19.064 --> 04:20.431 registered cattle. 04:20.431 --> 04:23.964 We sell all natural Texas longhorn beef. 04:23.964 --> 04:27.498 We sell semen, frozen bull semen from our very best bulls. 04:27.498 --> 04:31.498 The "science of selection" has also made it possible for 04:31.498 --> 04:35.798 the Dickinson Company to clone some of their prized cattle. 04:35.798 --> 04:38.264 Well, this is the cow that was used for the clones. 04:38.264 --> 04:40.031 This is Shadow Jubilee. 04:40.031 --> 04:44.298 And she'd be a little over 84 inches tip to tip, on her horns. 04:44.298 --> 04:47.364 And she just had a new calf here three weeks ago. 04:47.364 --> 04:50.631 The other cow behind her is Jester and she was 04:50.631 --> 04:53.264 international champion last year. 04:53.264 --> 04:56.131 And she just had a new baby calf about three weeks ago. 04:56.131 --> 05:00.531 ♪♪ 05:00.531 --> 05:03.164 The ranch also raises two other unique breeds. 05:03.164 --> 05:05.898 Buelingo cattle adapt well to the open range 05:05.898 --> 05:08.064 of the west and central plains. 05:08.064 --> 05:10.664 You'll also find Watusi cattle here. 05:10.664 --> 05:13.898 Originally from Africa, this breed is not as well known 05:13.898 --> 05:18.031 in the United States. 05:18.031 --> 05:20.798 Joel Dickinson is the ranch's Herd Manager, 05:20.798 --> 05:22.998 overseeing a cattle operation that's grown from 05:22.998 --> 05:28.031 40 head in 1989 to more than a thousand head today. 05:28.031 --> 05:31.131 Joel and his crew will round up the newborn calves. 05:31.131 --> 05:36.131 To check on their weight, give them vaccinations, and tag them. 05:36.131 --> 05:37.498 You just lift the skin up. 05:37.498 --> 05:38.831 Put the needle under the skin. 05:38.831 --> 05:39.431 Where, here? 05:39.431 --> 05:40.398 Yep. 05:40.398 --> 05:43.231 And then we're giving it just a half a CC. 05:43.231 --> 05:44.364 A little more, a little more. 05:44.364 --> 05:45.898 Right there, that's pretty good. 05:45.898 --> 05:48.231 After vaccinations, Joel takes a picture 05:48.231 --> 05:50.664 of each new calf on his iPhone. 05:50.664 --> 05:53.364 Those digital photos are transmitted to the ranch office 05:53.364 --> 05:57.331 where Joel's mom enters the data on the company website. 05:57.331 --> 06:03.264 So, it's red and white heifer 5409. 06:03.264 --> 06:05.564 We have the largest Internet presence of any breed of 06:05.564 --> 06:08.564 cattle or breed association in the United States. 06:08.564 --> 06:10.898 We sell about 90 percent of the cattle online. 06:10.898 --> 06:13.564 What are people looking for in a longhorn? 06:13.564 --> 06:15.664 They've got to have beef quality; 06:15.664 --> 06:17.764 they've got to have pretty conformation, pretty color, 06:17.764 --> 06:20.564 a good disposition, raise a large calf. 06:20.564 --> 06:23.964 And longhorn cattle, they gotta have pretty, twisty horns. 06:23.964 --> 06:25.498 [cow mooing] 06:25.498 --> 06:28.331 Darol says economics and consumer demands have 06:28.331 --> 06:31.964 changed his industry over the past 40 years. 06:31.964 --> 06:34.164 When we first started, it was really important 06:34.164 --> 06:36.464 for cattle to be very fat. 06:36.464 --> 06:39.431 And fat was important, and fat wasn't a bad thing. 06:39.431 --> 06:42.431 Today, people talk lean. 06:42.431 --> 06:45.664 So, Texas longhorns were criticized years ago 06:45.664 --> 06:47.564 because they weren't fat enough. 06:47.564 --> 06:51.598 Now they're complimented because of their high protein, 06:51.598 --> 06:55.131 low cholesterol, low carb, low fat content. 06:55.131 --> 06:58.864 And he expects even bigger changes in the future. 06:58.864 --> 07:00.698 Well, in the future, we're going to see less grain 07:00.698 --> 07:03.331 available to feed all livestock. 07:03.331 --> 07:06.131 So, it's being used for Ethanol and export and other things. 07:06.131 --> 07:08.731 So, the cattle of the future are going to be cattle that 07:08.731 --> 07:13.498 eat cactus and grass and briars and low quality fiber. 07:13.498 --> 07:16.264 So, that's where the Texas longhorns really excel. 07:16.264 --> 07:17.431 [cow mooing] 07:17.431 --> 07:20.664 Do you expect that one day, the kids will take over 07:20.664 --> 07:22.631 and continue the ranch? 07:22.631 --> 07:25.164 Well, the 13-year-old grandson, I asked him the other day. 07:25.164 --> 07:26.664 I said, 'What do you think you'll do in life.' 07:26.664 --> 07:28.098 And he said, 'Well, grandpa, I don't know.' 07:28.098 --> 07:31.398 But he said 'I may have to take over the ranch.' 07:31.398 --> 07:34.298 And I said, 'Why do you say that?' 07:34.298 --> 07:36.298 And he said, 'Well, have you noticed how old my dad is?' 07:36.298 --> 07:38.231 Well, you met him today. He's about 36. 07:38.231 --> 07:40.964 So, he's already thinking about 07:40.964 --> 07:43.831 booting his dad out and taking over. 07:43.831 --> 07:46.964 With young folks pushing their way into the family business, 07:46.964 --> 07:50.798 the Dickinson's see continuity to their life on the land. 07:50.798 --> 07:53.864 Something to be handed down to the next generation. 07:53.864 --> 07:55.198 You do well what you like to do, 07:55.198 --> 07:57.764 and you like to do what you do well. 07:57.764 --> 08:04.698 So, our family enjoys this kind of a business. 08:04.698 --> 08:07.498 Despite the longhorn cattle stampedes that you've seen 08:07.498 --> 08:10.331 in Hollywood westerns, ranchers say that Texas 08:10.331 --> 08:13.431 longhorns are usually quite gentle and easily worked 08:13.431 --> 08:16.031 on foot as well as horseback. 08:16.031 --> 08:19.031 They do say, however, stay out of the way of those 08:19.031 --> 08:24.631 horns when the cattle turn to look at you! 08:24.631 --> 08:26.764 I mentioned earlier that ranchers may choose to raise 08:26.764 --> 08:29.598 a certain breed of cattle for many reasons. 08:29.598 --> 08:32.364 Climate and consumer demand are just two of them. 08:32.364 --> 08:34.898 And ranchers have been cross- breeding cattle for a long 08:34.898 --> 08:39.098 time working to get the best attributes of separate breeds. 08:39.098 --> 08:41.831 Our John Lobertini takes us to a cattle ranching 08:41.831 --> 08:45.064 operation in Kansas where one historic farm family did 08:45.064 --> 08:49.064 some "color changes" in their efforts to deliver better beef. 08:49.064 --> 08:56.398 ♪♪ 08:56.398 --> 08:58.898 The flint hills are the last remnant of the tall grass 08:58.898 --> 09:02.498 prairie in North America. 09:02.498 --> 09:05.831 You have to go to the Serengeti in Africa 09:05.831 --> 09:09.131 to find grass like this. 09:09.131 --> 09:11.964 Joe Hoagland's white hat makes him stand out even in 09:11.964 --> 09:14.964 the wide open spaces of eastern Kansas. 09:14.964 --> 09:18.064 Hoagland and his family have been trailblazers in the 09:18.064 --> 09:20.864 ranching business since the late 1800's; 09:20.864 --> 09:25.231 and flint hills grass is just the beginning of this story. 09:25.231 --> 09:27.231 This is very nutritious grass. 09:27.231 --> 09:31.698 There's a lot of calcium in this grass which is good for 09:31.698 --> 09:36.464 growing bones and a lot of protein for developing 09:36.464 --> 09:40.764 the meat in the steers. 09:40.764 --> 09:45.564 But Hoagland doesn't raise cattle like everyone else. 09:45.564 --> 09:48.531 He herds them with Honda's instead of horses 09:48.531 --> 09:52.898 and this is livestock of a different color. 09:52.898 --> 09:55.698 Black Herefords to be exact. 09:55.698 --> 09:59.398 This British breed of cattle is traditionally red. 09:59.398 --> 10:01.498 There is this perception in America, 10:01.498 --> 10:05.531 that a black hided beef animal is the superior one. 10:05.531 --> 10:07.331 We see that in the sale barn. 10:07.331 --> 10:10.998 Time after time the red hided animals are discounted. 10:10.998 --> 10:14.131 So the Hoagland's did what people in agriculture do; 10:14.131 --> 10:16.364 they tried something new. 10:16.364 --> 10:18.731 John, you got a good count of 'em didn't you? 10:18.731 --> 10:20.998 Breeding Red-Hided Herefords with the wildly popular 10:20.998 --> 10:23.131 Black Angus breed. 10:23.131 --> 10:25.731 After several generations of genetic work, 10:25.731 --> 10:27.864 ranchers learned how to capture that coveted black 10:27.864 --> 10:31.931 hair but end up with a cow that's still a Hereford. 10:31.931 --> 10:35.364 You get ten cents a pound, if it's a 500-pound calf, 10:35.364 --> 10:36.564 why that's 50-dollars. 10:36.564 --> 10:39.264 So, you know that doesn't take long to add up if you 10:39.264 --> 10:44.031 got a hundred cows, you've produced a lot more income. 10:44.031 --> 10:46.198 You know Black Herefords are new to cattle ranching; 10:46.198 --> 10:49.198 the first were bred back in 1994. 10:49.198 --> 10:52.264 But today there are breeders in more than 25-states. 10:52.264 --> 10:56.131 And that numbers is expected to multiply in the years ahead. 10:56.131 --> 10:58.831 The Hoaglands say, this isn't just a black Hereford; 10:58.831 --> 11:00.298 it's a better Hereford. 11:00.298 --> 11:02.931 You can see his father or his sire, 11:02.931 --> 11:06.531 his grand sire and his great grand sire. 11:06.531 --> 11:08.498 The best are registered and their genealogy 11:08.498 --> 11:10.564 documented in detail. 11:10.564 --> 11:13.598 The Angus bloodlines add some kick to a meat that's 11:13.598 --> 11:16.798 already a popular choice for many consumers. 11:16.798 --> 11:19.764 And ranchers say the hybrids produce bigger offspring 11:19.764 --> 11:22.264 while consuming less feed. 11:22.264 --> 11:26.131 We're seeing longevity in our cows that I find remarkable. 11:26.131 --> 11:29.864 A cow that's 10 years old that has an udder like a young cow. 11:29.864 --> 11:33.364 We produce more meat because the cattle are more productive, 11:33.364 --> 11:38.798 bigger framed and production techniques are improved. 11:38.798 --> 11:42.998 More meat from fewer cattle. 11:42.998 --> 11:45.664 28-year old Dirck Hoagland knew from an early age he'd 11:45.664 --> 11:48.064 probably take over the family business. 11:48.064 --> 11:51.531 But instead of getting a degree in animal science, 11:51.531 --> 11:53.498 he mastered in business. 11:53.498 --> 11:55.864 You need to have backgrounds in marketing. 11:55.864 --> 11:56.998 You need to understand finance, 11:56.998 --> 12:01.331 you need to understand how to manage people. 12:01.331 --> 12:06.431 Really in a lot of ways a cattle ranch is a factory. 12:06.431 --> 12:09.898 A factory the family runs like a well-oiled machine. 12:09.898 --> 12:17.898 ♪♪ 12:17.898 --> 12:20.164 The heartland grasses of the flint hills provide a rich 12:20.164 --> 12:24.264 pasture land for the Hoagland's unique cattle operation. 12:24.264 --> 12:27.298 It's land that's served the family for more than a century. 12:27.298 --> 12:29.964 Land the Hoagland's view as a window to their past 12:29.964 --> 12:32.231 and America's heritage. 12:32.231 --> 12:34.931 The views and the vista's you see here are 12:34.931 --> 12:38.264 exactly what they saw in covered wagons 12:38.264 --> 12:41.431 moving west and traveling across the prairie. 12:41.431 --> 12:45.098 This is pretty much a pre-Columbian view of America. 12:45.098 --> 12:52.764 ♪♪ 12:52.764 --> 12:54.898 Hereford cattle were brought to America in the early 12:54.898 --> 12:59.264 1800's from their place of origin in Herefordshire, England 12:59.264 --> 13:01.564 And consider this: a thousand pound cow 13:01.564 --> 13:05.564 can produce 4 tons of manure in a year. 13:05.564 --> 13:17.864 ♪♪ 13:17.864 --> 13:19.931 Hi I'm Paul Robins and here's something you may not 13:19.931 --> 13:21.798 have known about agriculture. 13:21.798 --> 13:24.464 When it comes to beneficial livestock you can't do much 13:24.464 --> 13:26.031 better than cows. 13:26.031 --> 13:27.798 The cud-chewing bovine provides everything 13:27.798 --> 13:30.131 from food to fertilizer. 13:30.131 --> 13:31.098 Are you up for some ice cream? 13:31.098 --> 13:32.464 Cheese? Maybe some yogurt? 13:32.464 --> 13:35.031 Thank a farmer and a cow. 13:35.031 --> 13:37.331 But when did this partnership all begin? 13:37.331 --> 13:40.531 Well, let's head across the Atlantic. 13:40.531 --> 13:42.931 All modern domesticated breeds of cattle descended 13:42.931 --> 13:46.331 from wild ox-like animals called Aurochs that once 13:46.331 --> 13:49.931 roamed over large areas in Asia, Europe, and North Africa. 13:49.931 --> 13:51.831 We're talking 30 thousand years ago. 13:51.831 --> 13:53.531 The Aurochs were a favorite animal for hunters since 13:53.531 --> 13:56.831 they provided food and hides for clothing and shoes. 13:56.831 --> 13:59.964 Fast forward to 6,000 BC and early man started luring 13:59.964 --> 14:03.964 wild cattle into communities and domesticated them. 14:03.964 --> 14:05.964 Scientist says the herding instincts of the cattle made 14:05.964 --> 14:08.231 that easier, along with the natural curiosity 14:08.231 --> 14:10.564 of the big bovines. 14:10.564 --> 14:12.331 The fertile crescent of the Middle East was one of the 14:12.331 --> 14:14.898 first regions to benefit from domesticated animals 14:14.898 --> 14:18.031 both for food and as beasts of burden. 14:18.031 --> 14:19.031 And from there the good news, 14:19.031 --> 14:21.564 or should that be "good moo's" thank you, 14:21.564 --> 14:25.431 spread across Asia, Europe, and Africa. 14:25.431 --> 14:27.331 Africa is still home to a large number 14:27.331 --> 14:29.998 of cattle about 230 million animals. 14:29.998 --> 14:32.264 The U.S. has about 100 million cattle. 14:32.264 --> 14:35.364 But it's India that leads the cattle count worldwide 14:35.364 --> 14:38.398 with about 280 million head. 14:38.398 --> 14:40.064 That's a lot of methane. 14:40.064 --> 14:45.631 ♪♪ 14:45.631 --> 14:47.498 There's good money in cattle ranching and, as you 14:47.498 --> 14:50.198 might expect, there are some folks who would like to benefit 14:50.198 --> 14:53.931 from great beef prices without having to do the work. 14:53.931 --> 14:55.931 Now you might have thought cattle rustling was a thing 14:55.931 --> 14:58.131 of Wild West days gone by. 14:58.131 --> 15:01.098 But it's alive and well in many parts of the country and today 15:01.098 --> 15:05.664 stopping the thieves requires some old and new skills. 15:05.664 --> 15:07.164 Back in Chicago, I never thought that I would be 15:07.164 --> 15:10.498 punching cattle, mostly belonging to other guys. 15:10.498 --> 15:13.431 Yeah, using trucks for rustling is the latest thing. 15:13.431 --> 15:16.998 In the 1939 western "Code of the Cactus" cattle rustlers 15:16.998 --> 15:23.698 are using trucks to menace California ranchers. 15:23.698 --> 15:27.098 And when the sheriff tries to track down the rustlers, the 15:27.098 --> 15:30.931 first thing he does is check the paperwork on the cattle. 15:30.931 --> 15:32.698 Who did you say them cattle belonged to? 15:32.698 --> 15:34.498 I didn't say. 15:34.498 --> 15:37.698 Oh, a smart aleck, huh? 15:37.698 --> 15:41.298 Fast forward 70 years, not far from the Oregon border, 15:41.298 --> 15:44.431 just like the sheriff did in "Code of the Cactus," a cowboy 15:44.431 --> 15:48.398 hat wearing investigator is doing the exact same thing. 15:48.398 --> 15:50.631 Pasture to pasture movement out of that county has to be 15:50.631 --> 15:52.598 inspected before they leave. 15:52.598 --> 15:54.898 Truck driver Jeff Giessner was delivering a load of 15:54.898 --> 15:58.331 cattle when he got stopped at a weigh-station checkpoint. 15:58.331 --> 16:01.131 He's not getting questioned by the long arm of the law. 16:01.131 --> 16:02.631 These guys actually work for the 16:02.631 --> 16:07.464 California Department of Food and Agriculture. 16:07.464 --> 16:09.631 And today they're checking brands and paperwork 16:09.631 --> 16:11.464 on trailers of cattle. 16:11.464 --> 16:14.131 And Giessner's paperwork is not quite in order. 16:14.131 --> 16:16.764 Now Jeff Giessner is NOT a cattle thief. 16:16.764 --> 16:19.231 But for not carrying the correct slip of paper 16:19.231 --> 16:22.698 the ranch he works for will pay a fine. 16:22.698 --> 16:24.498 So why so strict? 16:24.498 --> 16:28.731 We lose probably around 1,200 - 1,300 16:28.731 --> 16:31.864 head of cattle every year due to theft. 16:31.864 --> 16:34.164 This equates out to about a million 16:34.164 --> 16:35.898 and a half dollars' worth of cattle. 16:35.898 --> 16:37.864 Cattle theft's alive and well in California and 16:37.864 --> 16:40.331 probably throughout the western United States, still today. 16:40.331 --> 16:43.498 From sprawling ranches where beef cattle graze to dairy 16:43.498 --> 16:46.664 operations where cattle are lined up by the hundreds. 16:46.664 --> 16:49.198 Cattle are a valuable commodity. 16:49.198 --> 16:52.164 And it's impossible to keep them under lock and key. 16:52.164 --> 16:54.198 So as long as people have been raising cattle, 16:54.198 --> 16:56.431 thieves have been rustling them. 16:56.431 --> 17:00.798 I'd say the cost was around 300 to 400,000 dollars. 17:00.798 --> 17:04.231 Dairy farmer Margo Souza knows all too well what kind 17:04.231 --> 17:07.298 of impact cattle theft can have on the bottom line. 17:07.298 --> 17:11.998 In 2006 nearly 200 dairy cows were stolen from her farm. 17:11.998 --> 17:13.664 The fact of the matter is, my dear fellow, 17:13.664 --> 17:17.731 they're planning on raiding your lower pasture tonight. 17:17.731 --> 17:19.831 How do you know that we have cattle in our lower pasture? 17:19.831 --> 17:22.364 Because they get information from your own outfit. 17:22.364 --> 17:24.164 And just like in the movie, the theft at the 17:24.164 --> 17:27.331 Circle H Dairy Ranch was an inside job. 17:27.331 --> 17:30.398 The herdsman responsible for overseeing the cattle was 17:30.398 --> 17:33.331 actually stealing and selling them. 17:33.331 --> 17:34.731 What had he been doing? 17:34.731 --> 17:37.298 He was selling the cattle to people he knew. 17:37.298 --> 17:40.798 They were stealing cows and selling them, 17:40.798 --> 17:42.331 trading the animals. 17:42.331 --> 17:45.064 You know he'd have people in here making deals. 17:45.064 --> 17:46.164 At night or during the day? 17:46.164 --> 17:48.064 Well even during the day and when I was gone. 17:48.064 --> 17:49.698 So it was going on right under your nose 17:49.698 --> 17:50.631 and you didn't even know. 17:50.631 --> 17:51.998 Right. 17:51.998 --> 17:56.264 Margo's surprise at the betrayal was no surprise to John Suther. 17:56.264 --> 17:58.864 95 percent of the time it's either an employee, 17:58.864 --> 18:02.598 a neighbor or a friend of an employee 18:02.598 --> 18:06.531 that's participating in the theft. 18:06.531 --> 18:09.598 Stopping rustlers these days isn't done with shootouts. 18:09.598 --> 18:14.231 Some things have changed. 18:14.231 --> 18:17.131 It happens at places like auctions where cattle are 18:17.131 --> 18:19.431 bought and sold by the hundreds. 18:19.431 --> 18:21.298 It turns out it's not DNA testing, 18:21.298 --> 18:23.798 satellite tracking, or infrared cameras 18:23.798 --> 18:25.831 that are the best way to combat cattle rustling. 18:25.831 --> 18:28.464 In fact, these days the way they do it is really the way 18:28.464 --> 18:31.031 they've been doing it since folks have been trading cattle: 18:31.031 --> 18:33.198 by using branding. 18:33.198 --> 18:34.864 Brands are the marks burned onto the side 18:34.864 --> 18:37.064 of cattle using a hot iron. 18:37.064 --> 18:40.364 Every ranch has a specific brand for identification. 18:40.364 --> 18:43.198 In fact, there are 23 thousand brands 18:43.198 --> 18:48.098 recorded in California alone. 18:48.098 --> 18:50.298 At the auction yard state inspectors take a close look 18:50.298 --> 18:53.464 at the cattle coming in for sale. 18:53.464 --> 18:55.198 So if somebody came in with their truck and they didn't 18:55.198 --> 18:57.864 have the right paperwork, what do you do? 18:57.864 --> 18:59.798 Basically we impound the cattle. 18:59.798 --> 19:00.931 You impound the cattle? 19:00.931 --> 19:01.998 We impound the cattle. 19:01.998 --> 19:03.164 They are not goin' into the auction. 19:03.164 --> 19:04.898 They don't go to the auction and they can't leave 19:04.898 --> 19:09.964 the sale yard until we figure out who actually owns them. 19:09.964 --> 19:12.531 Wouldn't be hard for somebody to go rustle up a 19:12.531 --> 19:15.164 cow, throw it in the back of a trailer, 19:15.164 --> 19:16.131 and try to claim it as their own? 19:16.131 --> 19:17.098 Not at all. 19:17.098 --> 19:20.031 Not hard at all. 19:20.031 --> 19:23.131 If they don't have a brand inspection, a brand on them, 19:23.131 --> 19:25.964 it's not hard to claim one for your own at all. 19:25.964 --> 19:27.998 So it would seem like a sure thing that all cattle get 19:27.998 --> 19:30.931 branded but surprisingly they don't. 19:30.931 --> 19:32.898 I would say probably, only about 50 percent of the people 19:32.898 --> 19:36.698 that own livestock in California or cattle in California brand. 19:36.698 --> 19:39.364 More so in beef cattle than probably in dairy cattle. 19:39.364 --> 19:42.498 Because dairy cattle aren't left alone in vast pastures, 19:42.498 --> 19:45.998 often dairy owners believe that branding isn't necessary. 19:45.998 --> 19:49.798 They're betting that they won't end up as theft victims. 19:49.798 --> 19:52.598 But Margo Sousa's experience is a lesson for all cattle 19:52.598 --> 19:56.164 owners to keep close track of your animals. 19:56.164 --> 19:58.798 Fortunately for Margo the thief was caught after 19:58.798 --> 20:01.031 John Suther's investigation. 20:01.031 --> 20:04.464 But brand inspectors continue to warn livestock owners, 20:04.464 --> 20:07.264 if your cattle get stolen and aren't branded - 20:07.264 --> 20:10.498 don't expect a happy Hollywood ending! 20:10.498 --> 20:12.164 If you ever need any help! 20:12.164 --> 20:13.731 Send me a wire! 20:13.731 --> 20:16.864 [laughter] 20:16.864 --> 20:21.298 ♪♪ 20:21.298 --> 20:24.498 You may associate cattle rustling with the American west, 20:24.498 --> 20:27.731 but the problem goes far beyond U.S. borders. 20:27.731 --> 20:31.398 Australian ranchers battle cattle rustlers down under 20:31.398 --> 20:33.564 and some parts of central Africa have had a problem 20:33.564 --> 20:39.031 with cattle rustling for more than a century. 20:39.031 --> 20:40.998 Head for the high country in Idaho and you're bound to 20:40.998 --> 20:44.298 find sheep ranches and plenty of cattle as well. 20:44.298 --> 20:46.598 But staying profitable in the ranching business these 20:46.598 --> 20:48.098 days demands that you look to diversify your operation 20:48.098 --> 20:52.664 and create additional sources of income. 20:52.664 --> 20:55.531 Our Rob Stewart says, for one family that's been 20:55.531 --> 20:58.531 ranching in Idaho for more than a century that meant 20:58.531 --> 21:03.064 running other animals besides cattle on their land. 21:03.064 --> 21:06.331 [whistling] 21:06.331 --> 21:08.331 Some six thousand feet above sea level, 21:08.331 --> 21:11.131 the Teton Mountain Ranch is close to the sounds of 21:11.131 --> 21:14.931 nature in the scenery of this majestic valley. 21:14.931 --> 21:16.464 And you've had people from all over the world. 21:16.464 --> 21:18.798 From India, from Europe, everywhere. 21:18.798 --> 21:20.431 Everywhere, we have. 21:20.431 --> 21:23.364 Almost every place in the world. 21:23.364 --> 21:26.631 Kent and Pauline Bagley are farmers here in eastern Idaho. 21:26.631 --> 21:29.898 And while the family has been working this land for decades, 21:29.898 --> 21:33.164 the "wildness" of the region is still evident today. 21:33.164 --> 21:36.198 We gotta watch out for the bears and the elk and the 21:36.198 --> 21:39.664 wild grouse that might jump out of the trees. 21:39.664 --> 21:42.531 But these horses do pretty good. 21:42.531 --> 21:45.998 Crops and cattle have long been a part of this farming operation 21:45.998 --> 21:48.531 But the family decided to diversify, 21:48.531 --> 21:51.664 adding saddleback vacations for visitors and expanding 21:51.664 --> 21:55.598 their livestock herds to include Bison and Elk. 21:55.598 --> 21:58.864 ♪♪ 21:58.864 --> 22:01.331 It's really tough to farm and ranch in Teton Valley 22:01.331 --> 22:02.798 because of the winters. 22:02.798 --> 22:04.631 And we figured we can bring in the elk, 22:04.631 --> 22:06.231 and we are looking at the recreation, 22:06.231 --> 22:08.564 looking into the trail rides and pack trips. 22:08.564 --> 22:10.531 And we figured that this would be a way 22:10.531 --> 22:12.231 we can share this with people. 22:12.231 --> 22:14.031 They seem to be very curious animals. 22:14.031 --> 22:15.264 They're very curious. 22:15.264 --> 22:18.098 They probably like your blue shirt. 22:18.098 --> 22:19.931 They'll come and investigate. 22:19.931 --> 22:22.064 They're wonderful watchdogs. 22:22.064 --> 22:25.164 Anything that comes onto the place that's different, 22:25.164 --> 22:29.131 we know it, because we can tell by the way they act. 22:29.131 --> 22:32.431 But these animals are more than just something to "see." 22:32.431 --> 22:35.431 Wild game consumption in the U.S. and abroad provides 22:35.431 --> 22:40.031 a ready market for the lean meat of animals like the elk. 22:40.031 --> 22:42.298 For beef cattle, we can put a lot of weight on them, 22:42.298 --> 22:45.398 and that's what put the fat or the marbling in the meat. 22:45.398 --> 22:47.264 The elk aren't designed that way. 22:47.264 --> 22:52.698 We can't force feed them so much to put a lot of weight on them. 22:52.698 --> 22:55.431 In addition to elk meat, ranchers also sell the 22:55.431 --> 22:59.164 antlers which the animals shed naturally each year. 22:59.164 --> 23:01.164 Even the furry "velvet" of the antlers 23:01.164 --> 23:03.298 provides a valuable commodity. 23:03.298 --> 23:06.331 We'll sell the antler. We have a lot of market for the antler. 23:06.331 --> 23:07.331 What is it used for? 23:07.331 --> 23:08.764 A lot of it is ornamental. 23:08.764 --> 23:12.331 It's used for chandeliers, for furniture. 23:12.331 --> 23:15.231 This whole piece is considered the velvet antler 23:15.231 --> 23:18.231 until it- until it calcifies. 23:18.231 --> 23:21.098 So the whole thing is considered the velvet antler. 23:21.098 --> 23:25.198 And it is used for a dietary supplement all over the world 23:25.198 --> 23:26.898 and also it's in the US. 23:26.898 --> 23:37.164 ♪♪ 23:37.164 --> 23:39.431 Well, it's going to be a nice day for us today. 23:39.431 --> 23:42.164 The herds of bison, elk, and cattle along with the 23:42.164 --> 23:45.564 natural beauty of the region have provided a significant 23:45.564 --> 23:48.431 draw to city dwellers looking to have a different 23:48.431 --> 23:50.231 kind of vacation experience. 23:50.231 --> 23:51.431 It was amazing. 23:51.431 --> 23:53.298 We couldn't believe it when we got to the very top. 23:53.298 --> 23:55.698 And we went to our second location, 23:55.698 --> 23:57.531 and we saw how far we have traveled. 23:57.531 --> 24:00.698 It was mind-blowing to know that we did that much on our horse. 24:00.698 --> 24:02.631 I mean, it's great to get away from the rough, 24:02.631 --> 24:04.631 fast lifestyle with the city. 24:04.631 --> 24:07.398 When you just come out here, you know, you can go like 24:07.398 --> 24:10.231 four hours by, and it feels like it's been 20 minutes. 24:10.231 --> 24:12.231 You know, you don't waste your time- 24:12.231 --> 24:14.064 you just take your time and slow down. 24:14.064 --> 24:15.698 And it doesn't matter whether they are attorneys, 24:15.698 --> 24:18.831 or doctors, or whatever their way of life is. 24:18.831 --> 24:20.698 To get them on a horse and get out and share this, 24:20.698 --> 24:23.864 show them the elk that we have. 24:23.864 --> 24:28.031 And to have a school group come out and listen to the 24:28.031 --> 24:32.031 elk bugle and see the sparkle in these little kids' eyes, 24:32.031 --> 24:35.164 "That's an elk. I've never seen an elk before." 24:35.164 --> 24:38.298 That just gives you that inner joy. 24:38.298 --> 24:41.764 Continuing an agricultural tradition is important to 24:41.764 --> 24:44.398 this multi-generational farm family. 24:44.398 --> 24:47.098 Making a difference in the lives of their visitors and 24:47.098 --> 24:49.431 in protecting the land they've been given. 24:49.431 --> 24:51.498 We want it to be taken care of. 24:51.498 --> 24:57.498 We take joy in seeing it looking good. 24:57.498 --> 24:59.864 We love it. It's our life. 24:59.864 --> 25:03.098 ♪♪ 25:03.098 --> 25:04.764 And that's going to do it for us this time. 25:04.764 --> 25:06.631 We thank you for traveling the country with us 25:06.631 --> 25:08.764 on this edition of America's Heartland. 25:08.764 --> 25:11.598 We're always so pleased that you can join us. 25:11.598 --> 25:15.098 Have you checked out our America's Heartland website yet? 25:15.098 --> 25:17.131 We got video from all of our programs 25:17.131 --> 25:19.364 and lots of other information as well. 25:19.364 --> 25:21.764 You'll find us at AmericasHeartland.org 25:21.764 --> 25:25.698 And look for us too on some of your favorite social media sites 25:25.698 --> 25:27.564 Thanks for being with us and we'll see you next time, 25:27.564 --> 25:29.231 right here, on America's Heartland. 25:31.098 --> 25:34.498 You can purchase a DVD or Blu Ray copy of this program. 25:34.498 --> 25:35.631 Here's the cost: 25:37.264 --> 25:39.564 To order, just visit us online or call: 25:43.131 --> 25:51.398 ♪You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man♪ 25:51.398 --> 25:57.264 ♪In America's Heartland living close to the land♪ 25:57.264 --> 26:03.264 ♪There's a love for the country And a pride in the brand♪ 26:03.264 --> 26:06.064 ♪In America's Heartland♪ 26:06.064 --> 26:11.464 ♪Living close Close to the land♪ 26:11.464 --> 26:12.998 ♪♪ 26:12.998 --> 26:16.131 America's Heartland is made possible by... 26:16.131 --> 26:21.531 Farm Credit - Financing agriculture and rural America since 1916. 26:21.531 --> 26:25.298 Farm Credit is cooperatively owned by America's farmers and ranchers. 26:25.298 --> 26:28.431 Learn more at farmcredit.com 26:28.431 --> 26:31.331 CropLife America - Representing the companies whose 26:31.331 --> 26:34.898 modern farming innovations help America's farmers provide 26:34.898 --> 26:38.198 nutritious food for communities around the globe.