Wolf attacks spur Motley rancher to sell his operation
Mike Kasten, who sold his cattle operation recently because of wolves killing his animals, and John Eischeid of Tri-County Livestock, discuss the reasons leading up to the auction.
Tina Snell
Staff Writer
Michael Kasten, Sr., Motley, made the decision to sell his ranch operation in its entirety in December, 2006. The wolf problems occurring in the area were the cause. He sold 139 beef cattle, all his machinery and feed in an auction Jan. 27.
When Kasten's wolf problems were at their height, he went to his friend John Eischeid of Tri-County Livestock and had him crunch some numbers. It looked as if things kept going as they were, Kasten would be $150,000 in the hole in 10 years.
"Cattle ranching is not as much fun as it used to be," said Eischeid. "The day before the sale of his operation, Kasten came into my office and told me there wasn't going to be a farm sale, but a funeral."
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