WATCH YOUR EQUIPMENT, METAL THEFT IS ON THE RISE

Metal theft continues to be a widespread problem across the nation and can impact your farm particularly hard during harvest. Damage and loss of key equipment may mean the difference between a profitable or unprofitable year. Theft of metals from farm equipment and in many cases the electrical equipment you use may cause the loss of next year’s crop or prevent you from storing this year’s crop. The costs are high for farmers when replacing damaged or stolen equipment from which copper, brass, bronze, stainless steel, or aluminum components are removed and sold for scrap. If the theft occurs during critical periods of planting and harvesting, loss of productivity can compound the total financial loss.  The Commission has received reports that theft is occurring in Franklin County as piler and transload equipment is being targeted. Be aware, your unattended equipment could be targeted this year for metal theft.