Police investigate disappearance of over 200 cattle from NSW outback property

Police are investigating the disappearance of more than 200 head of cattle from a property in outback New South Wales.

Inquiries are in the "early stages" and officers are working to establish whether the cattle strayed or were stolen.

The disappearance of the 212 head from the station on West Wilcannia Road, Wilcannia, was reported on September 6, but police believe they may have gone missing between March and August.

Rural Crime Prevention Team Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside said the cattle had been on agistment and were not reported missing until after they were returned to their owners north of Broken Hill.

"At this stage we're keeping an open mind," he said.

"In that area of the country … the properties are quite sparse, so it's maybe some time before … they're not checked on daily, they're checked on infrequently.

"There can be a range of explanations for the stock being unaccounted-for."

Police say the landholders had made "significant inquiries" before making the report and investigators are appealing to the public and local landholders for information.

"The rural community is our eyes and ears in respect to these matters," Chief Inspector Whiteside said.

"The people working on adjoining properties, contractors, stock agents or transport operators and people travelling through the district may have seen something that didn't seem significant at the time, but it could be important to our investigation."

Detectives say 155 black Angus cows, eight black Angus bulls, 48 Shorthorn cows and one Shorthorn bull are missing.

According to police, the cattle are branded with a capital "F" over a lazy capital "B", or a "B" on its side, and are also marked with a "V" in each ear and a rectangular notch under each ear.

"Should it be established that they were stolen, it's quite a large number to take," Chief Inspector Whiteside said.

"Especially if it was taken in one hit or over a period of time."

The cattle are valued between $500,000 and $1 million and the owners are reportedly devastated by their disappearance.

"Obviously they want their stock back … it does have a significant impact financially, but also mentally," Chief Inspector Whiteside said.

"We're very mindful of that, so we're seeking information from the public … to help us solve this matter."