Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – Wire theft from irrigation pivots is on the rise in rural Alberta, and the Alberta RCMP is urging farmers and rural landowners to take precautions.
Thieves are targeting the pivots because of their copper wiring, which has a high scrap value. Copper theft has become a significant problem across Canada, costing time and money. In some instances, it can even threaten public safety.
The RCMP says the simplest and most effective ways to prevent wire theft and other rural crime are to restrict access to your property. The more barriers you have in place, the less likely it is for criminals to target you. Closing and locking all gates using chains and padlocks is one way to limit access. You can also barricade unused access roads with heavy equipment gates or large natural obstacles like boulders. Posting “No Trespassing” signs is also a visible and legal deterrent to keep the thieves out.
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As for the irrigation pivots themselves, many have built-in electronic monitoring features that can help deter wire theft. Many pivot systems, including apps like FieldNet, AgSense, B-hyve, and Raincloud, have these features, but are often deactivated by default, and the RCMP suggests users contact the providers to activate them.
Other recommendations include:
- Locking control panels with tamper-resistant enclosures.
- Clamping pivot wires to the frame or span pipe to slow down thieves.
- Installing motion-sensor lighting around vulnerable areas.
- Using trail or security cameras to capture real-time images or video of the thieves.
- Removing access steps where possible to restrict entry.
The RCMP urges farmers to be proactive and report any suspicious activity immediately. The faster theft is reported, the better the chance they have of stopping it or identifying suspects.
