- Use grain confetti: Incorporate grain confetti when storing your grain. Grain confetti consists of tiny pieces of paper that have a unique identification number on it. This identification number links the grain to its owner. Grain confetti helps deter thieves and it makes your product identifiable in the event it is stolen.
- Keep your items visible: Choose your grain bin sites carefully. When possible, place your bins in an area where frequent monitoring can happen. The same goes for any additional produce, livestock, or equipment on your rural property. If this isn’t possible, try to store items in well-lit areas that are out-of-sight from the main roads.
- Turn off unloading systems: At the end of the workday, turn off any electrical unloading systems at your bins.
- Install cameras: Consider installing a monitored security or alarm system on your property if you have cellular or internet coverage. If you don’t have infrared cameras, ensure that your camera feed has good lighting. Motion-detection cameras, such as trail cameras, can also be used to identify suspicious activity.
- Light your property: Keep your property well-lit. Install motion-sensor security lights or timer lights that turn on at sundown to discourage trespassers.
- Keep stock of your property: Keep an inventory of your products and your equipment. Make a note of the approximate value and amounts of stored grain so you can identify when there are changes in quantity. Additionally, document the quantity of livestock or any other produce on your property, as well as recording descriptions, serial numbers, makes, models and pictures of your equipment. Check on your storage site throughout the winter months and immediately before and after extended leave periods so you can establish a timeline of events, if required.
- Limit access to your property: Limit access to the area so its obvious when there are unauthorized vehicles entering your grain storage site.
- Lock up: Lock and secure your home, businesses, outbuildings, and slip tanks. Placing bolt-cutter resistant locks on your grain bins can help deter thieves. Conduct regular checks to ensure locks haven’t been swapped out by someone else.
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