WENTWORTH, Missouri (KY3) – Farmers in Wentworth, Missouri, say they were caught off guard this month when someone stole cattle from their historic farm.
“We always hoped they would show up.”
Barry and Jeanna Meritt have owned Dayspring Farm in Wentworth for nearly half a century. The 450-acre farm has been passed down for several generations, but to the couple, it’s more than just land. It’s about their history.
“We have been farming for 50 years. Something like this has never happened to us,” said Jeanna Meritt.
Just earlier this month, the Meritts experienced something they hadn’t expected. During a morning cattle inspection, they noticed that a gate on their land was missing and completely off its hinges.
“So when we counted our cattle in the pasture, four animals were missing. Barry went over to check the pen and found that the gate was in the pen,” Jeanna said.
The couple believe the cattle thieves broke four padlocks to get into the fenced compound, saying they lured them with grain.
Jeanna describes them as two- and three-year-old cows and a heifer, and they were “shortbread.” “Shortbread” means the missing cows are pregnant, which almost doubles the cost of the livestock loss.
“They are actually losing two animals because they were going to calve in early spring,” Jeanna said.
The Merritts called nearby ranches and neighbors to spread the word, but continue to offer hope.
The couple reported the theft to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, where officials said they were continuing their investigation.
The farm owners can only hope that “they (the officials) catch them, because people who just take someone else’s property like that really makes me angry.”
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