Farm theft is rising fast — and one ag crime expert explains why farmers are vulnerable, what’s being stolen, and how real-time detection is changing the game. Bobby Rader, one of the leading agriculture crime experts in the country, with over 15 years of investigative experience focused on rural theft, equipment damage, and the growing threat to farm infrastructure.
From copper wire and irrigation pumps to fencing and remote electrical systems, thieves are targeting farms more aggressively than ever — driven by rising metal prices and the reality that rural law enforcement is stretched thin.
We dig into:
Why agricultural crime is surging across the U.S.
What thieves are stealing most — and why farms are uniquely vulnerable
The true cost of theft beyond scrap value (downtime, crop loss, repairs, and missed irrigation)
Why traditional tools like trail cameras and motion lights often fail in remote areas
How new technology is shifting security from reactive to proactive
Bobby also shares how real-time theft detection systems like COP-R-LOCK can pinpoint theft instantly, trigger on-site alarms, and provide alerts fast enough to actually stop criminals before the damage is done.
With repair costs ranging from $20,000 to $90,000, this conversation is about more than stolen copper — it’s about protecting your farm’s productivity, infrastructure, and long-term resilience.