Shedloads of cattle have been stolen from Irish farms over the past decade, the Irish Farmers Journal can reveal.
Some 2,222 cattle have been stolen in the last 10 years, according to official Department of Agriculture records.
The animals stolen ranged from calves to weanlings, to batches of steers, heifers and cows with calves at foot.
Using a conservative estimate of €500/head, these animals were worth €1.11m to farmers.
The Department figures show that less than 4% of the cattle stolen have been recovered.
Border county Monaghan was the worst affected, with over 15% of thefts (375 cattle) occurring there alone.
In Northern Ireland, figures obtained under freedom of information from the PSNI show there were 535 incidents of cattle theft between 2013 and 2017. Those thefts cost farmers at least £238,075, assuming just a single animal with a value of £445/head was taken.
Farmers who fell victim to theft have highlighted the distressing emotional and financial impact. The thieves responsible often targeted out-farms and struck late at night.
What happens the animals remains unclear, with no official indication from the Department or the gardaí about where they are going.
Read more
Timeline: cattle and sheep thefts 2018-2019
Thieves steal herd health monitoring unit from paddocks
Pair of new beef producer groups up and running
Shedloads of cattle have been stolen from Irish farms over the past decade, the Irish Farmers Journal can reveal.
Some 2,222 cattle have been stolen in the last 10 years, according to official Department of Agriculture records.
The animals stolen ranged from calves to weanlings, to batches of steers, heifers and cows with calves at foot.
Using a conservative estimate of €500/head, these animals were worth €1.11m to farmers.
The Department figures show that less than 4% of the cattle stolen have been recovered.
Border county Monaghan was the worst affected, with over 15% of thefts (375 cattle) occurring there alone.
In Northern Ireland, figures obtained under freedom of information from the PSNI show there were 535 incidents of cattle theft between 2013 and 2017. Those thefts cost farmers at least £238,075, assuming just a single animal with a value of £445/head was taken.
Farmers who fell victim to theft have highlighted the distressing emotional and financial impact. The thieves responsible often targeted out-farms and struck late at night.
What happens the animals remains unclear, with no official indication from the Department or the gardaí about where they are going.
Read more
Timeline: cattle and sheep thefts 2018-2019
Thieves steal herd health monitoring unit from paddocks
Pair of new beef producer groups up and running
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