Barn to Bin: Preventing Theft of Agricultural Equipment Across the Prairies

The prairie provinces are a big part of agricultural life in Canada, and they’ve got a rich and colourful history, too! From millions of acres of rolling farmland to cozy barns, the heart of the prairies is in our farmers. Despite the beauty and peace of the farmland, sadly, agricultural machinery getting stolen is a growing concern. Not only do stolen equipment and tools from the farm create a huge financial burden for our farmers, but they can also disrupt rural life. At Sandbox Mutual Insurance, we’re all about planning ahead and shielding our policyholders from potential risks. So, let’s explore the core of this issue; we’ll help identify the reasons behind agricultural equipment theft and explain how exactly to address it. 

Understanding the Scope of Agricultural Equipment Theft 

Unfortunately, theft of farming equipment isn’t a crime that has recently started happening; it’s just been increasing across the Canadian prairies over the years. Even more so, the value of farm machinery keeps climbing, and advanced technologies make the equipment more appealing to thieves. But that’s not all! Many factors make agricultural properties attractive targets for thieves, the main ones being the vastness and remoteness of their locations. The list of equipment thieves want is quite long: tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems, livestock trucks and trailers... to name a few. Thieves aim to either sell these items on the market or to get parts from them. Besides the loss of money, a farmer may also experience disruptions in running the farm and feel a loss of security. 

Reasons Behind Agricultural Equipment Theft 

Ahead of farm tools and equipment theft, you need to know the underlying reasons why these criminal activities can happen. Several factors contribute to the rising popularity of theft in rural areas. 

High Resale Value
Farming tools, especially the fancy high-tech stuff, are expensive on the black market, fetching a significant resale value. Thieves with the motive of selling these tools for cash often exploit security loopholes to make a quick buck. 

Limited Surveillance
In urban areas, surveillance cameras are more common, but in rural areas, there’s not as much surveillance, is there? This allows criminals to work anonymously and makes them braver, going after agricultural properties without the fear of being caught.  

Remote Locations
Most farms are usually in remote areas that are far from where law enforcement can easily monitor them. The large open areas of land make it hard for farmers to scan their property, only adding to the chances of thieves hitting and disappearing without a trace.

Minimal Security Measures
A lot of ranches and farms require traditional security measures such as padlocks and chains to protect their equipment since their usage is the most secure. While these efforts can stop those who just dabble in theft, they’re still no match for the more "career" thieves who are often able to find a way around these standard security measures. 

Preventive Strategies for Agricultural Equipment Theft 

There's no denying that when a farmer’s equipment is stolen, it presents a significant challenge. There are some steps you can take to protect your assets and minimize the risk of theft. Let’s dive straight in! 

Invest in Advanced Security Systems
As a layer of advanced security to keep your farm secure, consider upgrading your infrastructure by adding cameras, especially ones with motion sensors. In addition to cameras, install barbed wire fencing. This secures the perimeter and adds one more deterrent for thieves. Third, adding GPS tracking devices to valuable equipment can also help monitor and track them in real-time, allowing for quick action if theft occurs. 

Make Sure the Lighting is Right
Thieves most often strike at night for a reason. Motion-sense flood lights work by detecting movement and automatically turning on, which can startle intruders and deter them from going any further. Think of it as a spotlight shining on a stage—suddenly, the would-be thief is no longer hidden in the shadows. This sudden burst of light can be enough to send them running, knowing they could be easily spotted and identified. Plus, it provides a clear indication to anyone nearby that something is amiss.

Implement Access Control Measures
What we mean by this is allowing your farm premises to be accessed only by authorized personnel. This can be done with the installation of a “man gate” entryway or even access control systems. Think about it—if all approved visitors had codes, it would be easy to tell who doesn’t. This will let the security systems and you know well in advance of uninvited people attempting to enter the premises.

Mark and Register Equipment
Engrave specific serial numbers on agricultural equipment as a method of checking if they have been stolen, allowing you to more easily retrieve them in case of theft. You can also register valuables with law enforcement agencies or with agriculture organizations in advance to make it easier for authorities to identify culprits and get stolen items back to their rightful owners. 

Establish Neighbourhood Watch Programs
Promote the neighbourhood's sense of community with farmers’ clubs and neighbourhood watch groups, which help eliminate agricultural equipment theft problems. Be proactive by sharing reports about suspicious activities, and actively participate in the safety networks set up between local security agencies from the area. 

Educate Staff and Family Members
Don't just rely on locks and cameras; being alert and aware is just as important. Train farm staff and family members on security tactics and routines to enhance all the security regulations and safety measures on your farm.  Make sure everyone knows to watch for any unusual or suspicious behaviour on the farm and report it right away. 

Insure Your Farm in Case of Theft
Agriculture equipment theft is a big problem for farming communities in the prairies. If theft motives are identified and anti-theft preventive strategies are put in place, farmers can protect their properties and preserve the rural community's reputation. But, of course, not all things are 100% preventable or predictable—only the power of a farm insurance policy can do that. Make sure to adequately insure your farm in case of equipment theft with Sandbox Mutual Insurance. Sandbox offers insurance specifically for farm equipment with our Equipment Protection, or you can get this coverage and more as part of our Farm Business Box, Farm Lifestyle Box, or bee insurance with our Buzz Box.  Find a Sandbox insurance broker near you to get started! 

Please note that the information in this article may not accurately reflect your insurance policy from Sandbox Mutual Insurance or another insurance company. Please refer to your policy or talk to your broker about your specific coverages.