Smallholders should watch out for hay theft say NFU Mutual (From Smallholder)

Smallholders should watch out for hay theft say NFU Mutual

5:20pm Thursday 19th August 2010 in

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A dry spring has resulted in a shortage of hay which has caused prices to soar and has already led to a spate of thefts. There is also a lack of carry-over stock because of a wet summer last year resulting in prices being between 20 percent and 40 percent higher than last year.

With the possibility of hay and straw being in short-supply, and therefore more expensive in the coming months, we are advising customers to think about ways of securing their hay, straw, bedding and forage to avoid the risk of it being stolen.

Reports have already been received of hay and straw theft in the Berkshire and North Yorkshire areas and this trend is likely to escalate if supplies become scarce. With this in mind, NFU Mutual would like to offer the following advice to help customers protect their bedding and feedstuff: ü Securing the area around the buildings where hay and straw are kept should be a priority. Although hay is a difficult commodity to secure in closed barns, due to its combustible properties, use the best technology you can afford to protect the surrounding area - installing intruder sensors, CCTV cameras and security lighting can all help secure the area; ü Hay and straw stacks in open fields or in roadside barns are particularly vulnerable. One hay producer in Warwickshire has already moved all his hay from a roadside storage facility to his farm following a spate of thefts of small-bale hay. Hay and straw should be removed from fields as soon as possible after harvesting; ü A quick and simple survey around the farm will identify areas where a thief could strike. If there are certain areas you are unsure about, ask your local crime prevention officer or NFU Mutual advisor for assistance; ü Replace or re-site security and warning notices; ü Where practical, cutting the string of small-bale hay or straw will make it virtually impossible for anyone to walk off with it; ü Marking bales of haylage, bedding and feed with spray paint or permanent marker will make it identifiable and less attractive to thieves; ü Use lockable, metal feed bins to store bags of feed; ü Be wary of anyone calling on the 'off chance' or looking around the property. Take note of them and the registration number of any vehicle used. Tell police about anything you feel is suspicious.

ü Make sure you review your current insurance arrangements to ensure you have adequate cover in place.