South African cattle farmers eliminate livestock theft losses with tracking technology

Free State farming operation reports zero successful thefts since implementing FarmRanger security collars in 2016

Dr. Johann de Swardt CEO of FarmRanger. Photo: FarmRanger. Portal ERP South Africa. 

Cloete and Johan Wessels operate a mixed farming operation in the Vredefort district of South Africa's Free State province, raising both crops and commercial Crossbreed and Beefmaster cattle. Since 2016, the farming partners have successfully prevented livestock theft through GPS tracking technology provided by FarmRanger, a South African company that develops security collar systems for livestock monitoring and theft prevention.

The Wessels farming operation previously experienced regular theft incidents that escalated over time. Initially losing small numbers of animals, the situation reached a critical point when thieves stole fifteen cattle in a single night. Johan Wessels reported that stolen animals were typically loaded onto trailers quickly and never recovered.

Following the implementation of FarmRanger security collars, the operation has not lost any animals to theft. The system alerts farmers through mobile phone notifications when cattle movement patterns indicate potential theft activity. Johan Wessels explained that the tracking application allows real-time monitoring of herd movements through GPS data displayed on Google Maps.

The technology enables farmers to distinguish between normal grazing behavior and distress situations. When cattle are disturbed by thieves, they initially move in circular patterns before being driven in a specific direction, which appears as a red line on the mapping system. This pattern recognition allows for immediate response to prevent livestock losses.

The timing of theft attempts often coincides with busy farming periods when farmers are exhausted from daily operations. Thieves typically target herds during early morning hours, sometimes making multiple attempts. While the Wessels operation has not apprehended thieves during attempted thefts, the early warning system has enabled them to respond quickly and deter criminals before animals could be removed from the property.

FarmRanger operates through GPS-enabled collars that track animal movements and send alerts to farmers' mobile devices when unusual movement patterns are detected. The company's website indicates the system is specifically designed to combat stock theft, which represents a significant economic challenge for South African farmers.

"The loss of just one calf far exceeds the cost of FarmRanger's expenses," Johan Wessels noted, emphasizing the economic benefit of the prevention system compared to potential livestock losses.

The case demonstrates how technology solutions can address rural crime challenges while providing cost-effective protection for agricultural operations in regions where livestock theft remains prevalent.