Apparently, it's not enough to be thieving copper in Newark, or looting
homes destroyed by hurricanes or forest-fire.

What could be lower than stealing hay from desperate farmers?

---------------------

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2012/12/...in-hay-thefts/

December 3, 2012 9:49 AM

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - As if it’s not bad enough that Missouri farmers are
trying to survive the worst drought in decades, now many of them are
facing a new problem that’s costing them big bucks.

Missouri Farm Bureau president Blake Hurst says thieves are actually
targeting those big bundles of hay that are left out in fields prior to
being harvested, hauling them off and selling the valuable commodity.

“Of course, no one brands their hay so if you hook onto it with your
tractor or your pickup and make it out the gate, then it’s impossible to
prove where the hay came from,” Hurst said.

With winter approaching and grass dying out, the price for fresh hay to
feed livestock is on the rise, and Hurst says that makes unguarded bales
a tempting target.

Ironically, it’s because of the ongoing drought that fresh hay has
become so valuable with the winter season fast approaching.

And it’s not just Missouri. This trend is happening in farm states
across the country, so much so that some are now putting global
positioning trackers inside their bales, in case they’re stolen.