SPANISH FORK, Utah – A family believes a prized calf was taken from their pasture.
Five generations of the Banks family have farmed in Spanish Fork.
“We love it down here,” said Norman Banks. “I have been here all my life. My daughter has been here all her life.”
Norman’s teenage daughter Mikah is continuing the family tradition of farming. She participates in FFA and 4-H and raises animals to showcase at livestock shows.
Mikah was raising a 4-month-old calf, with unique red and white markings.
Friday, when she went to tend to the farm’s cows, she realized her calf was missing.
“We looked all around the ditches,” Mikah said. “I didn’t know what to think about it. It’s kind of upsetting.”
Mikah’s father believes the animal was taken because of its unique coat.
“He stood out with his red and white marks. I’m sure there’s not too many other calves in the whole state marked up like him,” Norman said.
The loss of the calf hits Mikah especially hard. She has been caring for the animal since it was born in January.
“I was the first one to see him. When I saw him, I called my dad and was so excited,” Mikah said. “I always wanted a red and white calf.”
She was also preparing to show the calf at livestock events in 2021, since most have been postponed or called off this year due to the threat of the coronavirus.
“They [livestock shows] all got canceled this year and my next year’s get stolen,” Mikah said. “This one would have been good for the state fair.”
Norman says the cost to replace the animal is between $6,000 and $10,000.
The Banks family hopes whoever has the calf will return him to the pasture.
