Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

By Jason Sawyer, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association vice chair of natural resources and wildlife committee Across Texas and the Southwest, generations of land stewards have recognized the mutual benefits of sustaining healthy rangelands that support livestock production and provide wildlife habitat. Cattle raisers and private landowners live out a public trust doctrine, where native wildlife is not owned by any single landowner but conserved in trust for all citizens.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Cliff Swofford, District 8 in North Texas, reports two cows missing from a property off FM 810 near Petrolia in Clay County. The cows are red or black, approximately 7 to 8 years old, and are branded on the middle of the left hip with a diamond connected to a half-diamond on the bottom. The cattle were last seen June 24.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Larry Hand, District 13 in East Texas, reports a black Brahman bull missing from a property on Panola County Road 436 near Tenaha. The 4-year-old bull weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and has no brands. The bull was last seen June 15, 2026. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Hand at 903-571-3488 or the Operation Cow Thief tip line at 817-916-1775.

FORT WORTH, Texas (July 2, 2026) — A multi-county investigation by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers resulted in the arrest of two individuals accused of using hot checks to fraudulently purchase more than $30,000 in livestock from eight auction markets across Central and Southeast Texas. Janay Monique Smith, 45, of Pattison, was arrested May 27 by the Waller County Sheriff’s Office on three theft of livestock warrants obtained during the investigation.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Kenny Murchison, District 23 in Southeast Texas, reports 12 show calves stolen from a property near the intersection of FM 1361 and County Road 439 in Burleson County. The missing cattle include 11 black calves and one red calf, consisting of seven heifers and five bulls weighing approximately 150 to 500 pounds. All have red ear tags, with the heifers tagged in the left ear and the bulls tagged in the right ear.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Executive Director of Law Enforcement, Brand & Inspection Services Clay McKinney reports an 8-year-old red roan Quarter Horse missing from Moon Ranch near Van Horn in Culberson County. The horse has four white socks and a blaze face. The horse was last seen June 16. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact McKinney at 817-916-1772 or the Operation Cow Thief tip line at 817-916-1775.

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 30, 2026) — A Decatur man was arrested following an investigation into the theft of 56 head of calves valued at more than $126,000. Gabriel Cocanougher, 36, of Decatur, was arrested June 12 and charged with theft of livestock, a third-degree felony. Authorities allege Cocanougher failed to pay for cattle that were shipped from Florida to Decatur after agreeing to purchase them.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Cliff Swofford, District 8 in North Texas, reports a Hereford cow missing from a property off County Road 1590 near Alvord. The cow is approximately 5 months bred, dehorned and has no brands or ear notches. She was last seen June 17. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Swofford at 817-343-8804 or the Operation Cow Thief tip line at 817-916-1775.

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 27, 2026) — Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association president Stephen Diebel released the following statement after the United States Department of Agriculture today announced the opening of the Metapa sterile fly production facility to combat the spread of New World screwworm: “The goal has always been to increase production of sterile flies, and the Metapa facility expands our capacity to better respond and ultimately eradicate New World screwworm.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Kenny Murchison, District 20 in Central Texas, reports a registered Red Beefmaster bull missing from a property off Elm Creek Road in Fayette County. The mature bull has small banana horns and is branded on the left hip with a backward “L,” an “HB” above, and “15” over “123.” The bull was last seen June 18.