Various parts of my extended family run cow/calf herds of 200/500/5,000 head. There is no way any of them would let even one animal die of thirst as long as they could do anything about it. As a rule of thumb think one dollar per pound and that pic of those black dead cows represents a lot of money.
A couple raise calves, some raise feeders, and my favorite raises rib steaks. No way would they let their animals dehydrate.
Your thot about a possible 75% insurance payout is most likely closest to the truth. In a market where they might not sell at all 75% recovery might look way better than 100% loss. And I’m also thinking how close this looks to the food processing plants burning, possibly for the same reason. Plants that have been running flat out and need maintenance might pencil out better if the insurance rebuilds it. I’m sure Warren Buffet will let us know how it works out?
In a market where they might not sell at all 75% recovery might look way better than 100% loss.
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Yes, that could be true. Agree 100% that no operator would throw away that kind of value, much less allow that livestock to suffer and still show their face in town. They looked close to finishing. So there is still mystery here, and to what end.