A new crime trend: stealing bull semen
Podcast Episode
Thieves are targeting something farmers find very valuable. Investigators are looking for suspects in multiple cases of stolen bull semen. Kyle Geissler reports. You can read more in Tuesday's Janesville Gazette.
In a string of recent burglaries, thieves have targeted dairy farmers to steal a valuable commodity: bull semen.
The semen, valued at $22,000 in one Rock County case, is used to breed high-end cows for the show ring and milk production.
Farmers believe thieves might be selling the semen on the black market.
“In this day and age with the economy, it’s not really a loss I was looking forward to,” Orfordville dairyman Doug Nifong said. “Our belief is it’s probably being stolen for resale. That’s the million dollar question.”
Nifong and three other area farmers recently had liquid nitrogen tanks full of frozen semen stolen from their properties.
Nifong’s farm was burglarized in late March, and 200 samples were stolen. He said farms in Poy Sippi in Adams County, Ixonia in Jefferson County and Hampshire, Ill., southeast of Rockford, Ill., were hit around the same time.
“We all know one another, and we’re all registered breeders. We all show,” Nifong said. “It’s a big industry, but it’s a small family when it comes to things like this.”
A bull semen theft also was reported in Brodhead in July 2008. About 100 embryos or semen samples valued at $35,000 were stolen. They were from award-winning cattle, according to a Rock County Sheriff’s Office report.
Investigators in the Brodhead case, however, believe the thieves wanted the tank for scrap metal, Capt. Todd Christiansen said. The semen probably wasn’t targeted.
Paul Zimmerman, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s executive director of public affairs, said he has never heard of semen thefts in his 16 years with the bureau.
Donna Gilson, spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, said her office also hasn’t heard any complaints.
“It’s nothing that we’re aware of or that has been a trend in the past,” she said. “I can’t believe it’s terribly widespread or we would have caught wind of it.”
Dairy farmers keep semen to artificially inseminate cows when they’re ready to breed. A sample must be used as soon as it is removed from the tank.
Semen is valuable if the bull has a proven record of breeding top-notch cows, Nifong said. Cows born to certain bulls are more marketable.
“You can buy semen ranging from $5, which would be your very low end, to as high as $2,000 per unit,” he said.
The tank stolen off Nifong’s farm weighed 250 pounds, stood 3 feet high and was 3 feet in diameter. Tanks have a self-contained refrigeration unit filled with super cold liquid nitrogen every month.
“You could move it, but you’re not going to go very far with it without putting it in some type of vehicle,” Nifong said. “I’ve been involved in the dairy industry my whole life. Over the years, you occasionally hear of a unit coming up missing here or there, but never a tank.”
Some of the semen in Nifong’s tank came from bulls that are no longer alive. The semen is irreplaceable.
Nifong said he is not sure whether his insurance will cover his loss. Because of an insurance glitch, the tank was insured, but its contents were not.
“We’d love to get our tanks back,” he said. “When someone steals from you, it’s wrong.”
Dec 12, 2010 at 7:55 p.m.
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Just in case you don't already know - A hair salon in the UK offers - yes you guessed it - A Bull Semen treatment. They rub it in your hair and it costs about $100.00 per treatment. I guess it is a bit strange, but oh come on.
Apr 24, 2010 at 4:42 a.m.
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ABS does have good signs. I always enjoy them.
Apr 23, 2010 at 2:02 p.m.
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If it were possible the bull's would take matters into their own hands? (hoofs?)
Apr 23, 2010 at 10:28 a.m.
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(This semen was removed by the site staff.)
Apr 23, 2010 at 9:42 a.m.
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Maybe we can get some of the folks that do the signs for ABS to chime in. Their sign is always good for a laugh on the way to Madison.
Apr 23, 2010 at 8:23 a.m.
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So sad.........It's such a stroke of bad luck.
Apr 22, 2010 at 7:14 p.m.
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mrsjoe, I am with you on that! At first, I laughed that anyone would actually do that. Of course, being a country girl raised by parents who are even more country (they were 2 of a high school graduating class of 22 kids) and a dad who grew up on a farm, it wasn't so funny anymore.
Apr 22, 2010 at 5:02 p.m.
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I hate city people.
Apr 22, 2010 at 4:45 p.m.
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The farmers are mad.
The cops are puzzled.
The thieves have sticky fingers.
And the bulls are happy to replace the stolen property.
Apr 22, 2010 at 12:12 p.m.
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Mooshoo- yep, you are right about the form of Nitrogen that is knifed-in. But i was referring to the Ammonium nitrate which is still available. It's the preferred N source amongst most meth-heads, although anhydrous is popular as the second source.
You are right on regarding Ammonium Nitrate's explosive properties- it was the primary chemical used in Oklahoma City.
Apr 22, 2010 at 8:22 a.m.
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A trend? Really? If it's happening only in our tiny corner of the world, it's not a trend. Sounds like just one thief or group of thieves, which does not a trend make.
Apr 22, 2010 at 7:47 a.m.
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Evansvillehousewife--"dairy magazine"! Is there a centerfold???
Apr 21, 2010 at 5:14 p.m.
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I bet this has something to do with that happy cow in California!
Apr 21, 2010 at 2:52 p.m.
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gazettefan, priceless! LOL
Apr 21, 2010 at 2:50 p.m.
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Uh, liquid nitrogen (N2) and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3-the stuff knifed in on the fields) are TOTALLY different chemicals.
THis is why you should pay attention in HS chemistry- a few years back someone stole a tank of Nitric Oxide (N302) at UW.
You think, yeah, they stole to huff- right? Well, it's NITROUS Oxide that is laughing gas. ANyone who huffs NITRIC Oxide will remove all the electrons from his/her lungs in a fast hurry- effectively burning his/her lungs shut.\
No, I think this is theft of genetic material. Liquid N2 is cheap, easy, and readily available.
Apr 21, 2010 at 2:42 p.m.
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What makes a thief a renegade? Is it just me or is renegade thief a bit redundant? Honest question, not saying it's wrong, I just question everything =)
Apr 21, 2010 at 2:41 p.m.
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Yeah, I sure hope this whole thing doesn't blow up in his face.
I also hope he gets caught red-handed,too.
Apr 21, 2010 at 1:45 p.m.
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This thief really shot his wad on this one.
Apr 21, 2010 at 1:36 p.m.
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Why does everything have to be a trend? Why can't this just be one very busy renegade thief?
Apr 21, 2010 at 12:54 p.m.
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Truly a seminal story in Ted's career.
;~)
Apr 21, 2010 at 12:22 p.m.
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Got to be careful that you dont get a batch of Heffer semen when you are trying to score some real bull.
Apr 21, 2010 at 10:37 a.m.
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the bottom line in this story is either these farmers have made enemies, which i consider unlikely, or the tanks being stolen don;t have a THING to do with the contents. Its just the farmer's loss. The cooks who stole these tanks threw out the undesirables as soon as they got to where they wanted to get. This has 0% to do with the contents, and 100% to do with Nitrogen tanks, as was just stated. We have pretty much deduced without being a reputable seller, no one wants to buy your semen. Without paperwork, no one will believe its worth anything. So the contents are worthless. The vessel, however, is great for making all kinds of drugs in for the surrounding areas. Although the drug units around here have been busting so many kids with less than $1000 worth of drugs, there couldn't possibly be anyone left out there that wants anyhting to do with drugs, is there!?
Apr 21, 2010 at 10:29 a.m.
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For fast cash, people will give anything a shot.
Apr 21, 2010 at 10:19 a.m.
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i think they stole the tanks for drug use. think about it, to make drugs you need nitrogen. instead of trying to find wagons of nitrate in farm fields , next best is semen tanks, easy to handle and hide and dump the semen straws out and take the nitrogen out and dump the tank. as a farmer i would not buy semen from some one i do not know.
Apr 21, 2010 at 8:52 a.m.
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I don't even know where to start with this one.
Apr 21, 2010 at 7:03 a.m.
Apr 21, 2010 at 1:11 a.m.
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What's a nitrogen tank worth for scrap resale anyway? Just wondering.
Apr 21, 2010 at 12:23 a.m.
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The thieves would have to know what theyre doing to keep the sperm useable or use it right away. Probably someone local. Look for pregnant cows!
Apr 20, 2010 at 10:56 p.m.
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You guys would be surprised. If you crack a dairy magazine, it's insane how closely the heritability for certain traits is analyzed. Udder scores! Calving ease!
It's no bull, prime genetic material is of top dollar demand..
I do think, though, that this could be major fraud. Cows will have their bloodlines sullied, and bulls will be misrepresented.
Lock up your sperm, people...
Apr 20, 2010 at 10:51 p.m.
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BTW...collecting semen has NOTHING to do with technology...
Apr 20, 2010 at 10:49 p.m.
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last I checked Menonites are not allowed any means of pictures, radios, tv's etc...therefore, I am guessing you are pretty much full of 'bull'!
Apr 20, 2010 at 9:51 p.m.
Apr 20, 2010 at 9:17 p.m.
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As a Menonite new to technology, I'm not sure what you are saying. How do they collect male semen?
Apr 20, 2010 at 9:12 p.m.
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1234 Grant... um.... what your thinking .. is probably right. It's not purdy. Same way they collect all male semen.
Apr 20, 2010 at 9:08 p.m.
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OH .. my .. Gawd! I have heard it absolutely all now! ugh.
Apr 20, 2010 at 8:24 p.m.
Apr 20, 2010 at 8:03 p.m.
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Barry Manilow.
Apr 20, 2010 at 7:52 p.m.
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What I want to know is who would buy semen on the black market? I believe registered breeders would always purchase from a reputable seller to be sure they are getting what they pay for. You look at a catalog to see the bull's photo, his stats, etc..So I really don't understand why there would be a market for this.
Apr 20, 2010 at 7:44 p.m.
Apr 20, 2010 at 7:14 p.m.
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This story signals the End of Days. Read your bible!!!
Apr 20, 2010 at 7:02 p.m.
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I would contact the U.S. Navy IMMEDIATELY! It may not be a big deal yet, but all of our Navy Semen are important! In the Navy - Semen are one of the lowest ranks. We should also consider contacting the Coast Guard so they can also help locate the missing Semen.
Apr 20, 2010 at 6:51 p.m.
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Boy these thieves have spunk.
Apr 20, 2010 at 6:37 p.m.
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I hope the police work...hard on..these cases. No bull.. I wonder how the people harvest bull semen anyhow?
Apr 20, 2010 at 6:19 p.m.
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Ewwwwwwwwwwww
Apr 20, 2010 at 5:49 p.m.
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Did I just read this article?
Apr 20, 2010 at 5:42 p.m.
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