What is stolen most from farms?

What Thieves Are After on Farms

When we think of farm theft, tractors or heavy machinery might come to mind. But the reality, according to recent data, might surprise you. The most commonly stolen item on farms isn't high-tech equipment—it's sheep. In fact, livestock theft remains a serious issue, with sheep accounting for 33 per cent of all farm thefts. These quiet, unassuming animals are often taken in the cover of night, sometimes in large numbers, leaving farmers facing both financial loss and emotional distress.

But sheep aren’t the only target. Small tools and spare parts, from wrenches to tractor batteries, make up 17 per cent of stolen goods—same as fuel. These items may seem minor, but they’re easy to carry, quick to sell, and vital to daily operations. A missing battery or a set of pilfered wrenches can bring work to a halt, especially in remote locations where replacement parts take time to arrive.

Fuel theft is another growing concern. With diesel prices fluctuating and storage often left unsecured, large fuel tanks on farms are tempting targets. Siphoned overnight, hundreds of liters can vanish in minutes, cutting directly into a farmer’s operating budget.

What ties these thefts together is opportunity. Many farms are isolated, with limited surveillance and long distances between neighbors. Thieves know this. While high-value machinery is still at risk, it’s often the smaller, mobile items—whether animals or tools—that are easiest to snatch and sell quickly.

As farming communities adapt, more are turning to simple but effective deterrents: better lighting, locked storage, GPS trackers on equipment, and even community watch networks. Because for farmers, every stolen sheep or missing tool isn’t just a line on a balance sheet—it’s a direct hit to their livelihood.