MADISON COUNTY, Iowa — A Winterset man has been charged after law enforcement said dozens of malnourished cows and calves, as well as several dead cows, were found at his farm.
According to court records, in March, Blake Raymond Rutz, 29, was sued by several other cattlemen for failing to follow multiple breeding contracts. The lawsuit states that in 2023 and 2025, Rutz was given cattle embryos to implant into cows. Rutz was also given 26 cows by some of the cattlemen for the contract. According to the lawsuit, Rutz failed to implant all of the embryos and didn’t return them or the cows to the owners.
The cattlemen requested a Writ of Replevin, a court order that allows for the seizure of specific property alleged to be illegally withheld, to then be returned to the original owner. Court records show a judge granted that request in May…