The rancher would have sold his cattle for $204,000/340 = $<<204000/340=600>>600 per head.
He was left with a remainder of 340 - 172 = <<340-172=168>>168 head of cattle.
The lowered price is $600 - $150 = $<<600-150=450>>450 per head.
He would make $450 x 168 = $<<450*168=75600>>75,600 at the lowered price.
He could have made $600 x 168 = $<<600*168=100800>>100,800 at the original price.
He would lose $100,800 - $75,600 = $<<100800-75600=25200>>25,200
#### 25200