Farmers busy harvesting have another potential distraction — grain theft.
A farmer near Kaleida, Man., reported Sept. 21 to Morden RCMP that about 50 tonnes of canola was stolen from his yard probably between Sept. 10 and 18, Manitoba RCMP media relations officer Sgt. Paul Manaigre said in an email Sept. 22.
With spot canola prices approaching $500 a tonne the stolen canola is worth almost $25,000.
On June 23, Carman RCMP received a report of 700 bushels of grain stolen from a farmyard in the R.M. Lorne, near Cypress River, Man.
The farmer was unsure when the theft occurred. It might have happened during the winter.
Farmers should consider securing grain bins, especially in remote locations.
Marking grain with small pieces of paper with registered numbers unique to the farmer who owns the grain is believed to deter would-be thieves.
Anyone with any information on either of these thefts is asked to call Carman RCMP at 204-745-6760 or Morden RCMP at 204-822-4476 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.
