Stop stock theft before it begins!

Since 1999, FarmRanger livestock collars have been the proven solution to help farmers protect their animals against theft and predators. The collars send GPS alarms to users’ mobile phones in the event of theft.

“With the rising trends in livestock theft it is imperative that we use technology to keep one step ahead,” says Philip Lötter of the FarmRanger office in Caledon, Western Cape.

The statistics unfortunately reflect a harsh truth; Willie Clack, chairperson of the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum, explains that since 2013/2014 there has been a gradual increase in livestock theft, irrespective of animal type. The most recent crime statistics of the South African Police Service indicate a 7,2% increase in stock theft for 2017/2018.

A growing number of farmers are turning to technology to prevent crime and continue successful farming operations. One such farmer is Lyndon Snelling of Cathcart in the Eastern Cape. He farms Dohne Merino sheep, Angora goats and cattle, and has been using FarmRanger collars for almost 10 years.

“After losing 44 sheep through theft we realised the importance of collaring all our flocks,” Snelling explains. “A week after fitting the FarmRanger collars the alarm went off one night. Using the app with tracking we could see where the sheep had been chased and cornered. That night we apprehended two thieves who were busy tying up the sheep.”

The FarmRanger collar uses the mobile phone network to send GPS alarms to users’ mobile phones. A smartphone app is available free of charge; functionality has purposely been kept basic and effective. “It had to be both simple and reliable,” explains Lötter.

Lyndon Snelling agrees. “We investigated various options, but FarmRanger looked to be the least complicated. It’s without doubt an important aid in my farming operation. The GPS is a very valuable function, not only in the event of theft attempts, but with jackal and rooikat disturbances you know exactly where to go in the camp.”

• Contact Philip Lötter on 028 212 3346 or at philip@farmranger.co.za, or visit www.farmranger.co.za.