Farm security
Farm security
A farmer's property is spread over many acres with stock and equipment often portable and easy to steal. Most farms are easy to get to, making total security impossible - but a lot can still be done to reduce the risks:
Grazing animals are an easy target for thieves. Regularly check fields where animals are grazing.
Keep your hedges, fences and gates in good repair. Ditches form a natural barrier. Fit field gates with capping hinges so they cannot be removed easily.
Cattle grids should be removable and locking posts, to obstruct large openings to yards, used.
Consider using CCTV allowing animals to be watched in barns or yards from the comfort of your home. This can be useful during busy times like lambing season.
If livestock is stolen, it's important you give police an accurate description. Eartags help police to identify stock. Freeze-branding, hot-branding or tattooing with your postcode can also help.
Take photographs of particularly valuable animals.