WHAT CAN FARMERS DO?

FarmWatch and rural equivalents of Neighbourhood Watch schemes plus watermarking goods can help, but farmers are also becoming increasingly innovative. “We are trying to make thieves take longer to break in and take goods, so that they may decide to move on and target somewhere else where they can take goods more quickly,” says NFU Mutual’s Tim Price.

Earth banks and ditches Last used to protect medieval manors, earthworks are being installed along field boundaries to stop criminals driving 4x4s on to farmland. “Criminals often escape in 4x4s across fields where police can’t follow,” adds Price. “But ditches have proved very successful in halting them.” Reinforced gates, high yard fences and single-entry points Defences such as these protect entrances to farmyards from ram raids and reduce options of escape for thieves.

Electronic tagging Traditional ear tags can simply be cut off by thieves, but livestock can now ingest electronic boluses that help with traceability.