Practical ways to fight the scourge of livestock theft

Livestock theft syndicates have become a growing problem and are a major threat to the livelihoods of farmers. Prevention starts with registered brands and tattoos, says Shane Brody.

- Shane Brody

Livestock are of great importance to communal farmers in South Africa. There are good reasons for this: apart from providing food security, livestock production (unlike crops) doesn't rely on machines, electricity, or expensive inputs such as fertiliser.

Unfortunately, livestock farmers today face a serious and growing problem: highly organised stock theft carried out by syndicates.

A recent article described how many commercial farmers in parts of the Free State are giving up sheep farming because of widespread stock theft. Apart from anything else, this will add stress to the wool industry, as there will be fewer sheep to shear.

In recent months, I have also heard of spikes in livestock theft in the communal farming areas in which I work. This has involved the theft of many sheep and cattle, with the thieves selling the cattle to unsuspecting or unscrupulous livestock speculators.

Often, the owners of stolen livestock live in faraway cities, and only become aware that their livestock are missing weeks or months later. By this time, stolen livestock have long been disposed of.

Fortunately, there are ways to fight the scourge of stock theft. These take some effort, but they certainly pay off.

HOW TO BEAT LIVESTOCK THEFT