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Theft of Agricultural Equipment and Animals: How to Protect Your Agricultural Holdings?

·6 mins
Equipment Protection News Security

The agricultural sector has been a prime target for thieves for several years. Due to the geographical isolation of farms, the high value of agricultural equipment, and the ease of reselling certain equipment or products, farmers regularly face significant losses.

In order to combat this scourge, FNSEA - National Federation of Farmers’ Unions - has chosen to partner with Invoxia’s expertise. In 2025, farmers might just regain peace of mind!

invoxia product

Theft in the Agricultural Sector: The Numbers Are Alarming
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According to the national gendarmerie, about 16,000 offenses against agricultural property are recorded each year in France. These offenses include thefts of equipment, animals, and agricultural products, as well as vandalism. The agricultural sector, with its vast isolated lands and often poorly protected barns, offers a favorable ground for criminals.

Thefts of agricultural machinery such as tractors and quads are among the most frequent. But this is not the only type of equipment at risk.

Unexpectedly, in 2022, 406 thefts of GPS systems integrated into tractors were reported according to the national gendarmerie. These devices, priced between 15,000 and 20,000 euros, are highly sought after on the black market.

Finally, among the most recorded thefts, fuel completes the list. With rising diesel prices, more and more machines are being siphoned, preventing farmers from using them.

Livestock Farms and Beehives Also Affected
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Animal thefts are also a reality in the agricultural sector. Whether it’s poultry, cattle, or beehives, farmers face losses that directly impact their production. For example, beehives, prized for their honey and crucial role in pollination, are often stolen and sold illegally, as explained by Xavier, Invoxia user.

“I have a beekeeper friend who had several hives stolen. A hive with bees inside costs between 200 and 300 euros depending on the flight period and breed.”
Xavier, beekeeper and Invoxia user

What Is the Economic Cost of These Thefts?
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The financial cost of agricultural thefts is colossal. Material damage, combined with operational losses, represents millions of euros each year. For example, in 2012, the value of stolen tractors in France exceeded 10 million euros. And this trend continues…

These losses jeopardize the profitability of farms, already facing numerous economic and climatic challenges.

Why Are Agricultural Holdings Vulnerable to Theft?
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The isolation of agricultural holdings is a key factor. Far from urban centers, they rarely have immediate neighbors to monitor suspicious activities. Moreover, the vast lands and open barns facilitate access to equipment. Thieves also know that farmers cannot always monitor every corner of their property.

Partnership between FNSEA and Invoxia: Enhanced Protection for Farmers

How to Protect the Most At-Risk Assets on Agricultural Holdings?
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1. Strengthen the Security of Machinery and Buildings
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Protecting agricultural machinery is a priority for farmers. Tractors, combine harvesters, tillers, seeders… All are at risk due to their high financial value. Among the brands most coveted by thieves are John Deere, New Holland, Claas, and Fendt.

Some simple but effective measures:

  • Install reinforced locks on tractors and quads.
  • Use specific anti-theft devices, such as lockable wheel nuts or anti-theft bars.
  • Set up connected alarms in barns.

Buildings can also be better protected with deterrent lighting or surveillance cameras adapted to outdoor environments.

2. Limit Access and Deter Thieves
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  • Install automated gates or robust barriers.
  • Display signs indicating the presence of security systems, such as cameras or GPS trackers.
  • Store valuable equipment in locked and out-of-sight locations.

3. Protect Livestock
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For livestock farmers:

  • Install electric fences around enclosures.
  • Monitor herds using cameras or connected equipment.
  • Use electronic chips to facilitate the identification of stolen animals.

4. Train and Collaborate
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Create local surveillance networks to share information about suspicious activities. Train your teams to spot unusual behavior or scouting attempts.

FNSEA Supports Your Protection by Partnering with Invoxia
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To address thefts on agricultural holdings, FNSEA has decided to take action. And for this, it has partnered with Invoxia, a French company specializing in the protection of valuable assets and vehicles.

With a complete range of GPS trackers, Invoxia helps theft victims recover their property. And their effectiveness is proven: while the average recovery rate of a stolen car is just under 50%, more than 75% of victims recover their vehicle when it is equipped with a GPS tracker*!

In this partnership with Invoxia, FNSEA sees an opportunity to help farmers deal with the theft of their equipment. Beyond a tool for recovering these costly tools and vehicles, GPS trackers are also a good way to monitor herds or livestock, and more generally all animals that can be found on farms.

FNSEA Carte Moisson Member?
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Take advantage of the launch offer, with up to 30% off the purchase of your GPS trackers with your Carte Moisson. Request your promo code from your federation to benefit from the offer.

Protect my farm >

The GPS Tracker: A Major Ally for Agricultural Security
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Technological innovations offer solutions tailored to the needs of farmers. Among them, GPS trackers stand out for their effectiveness and accessibility.

GPS Trackers for Agricultural Machinery and Equipment
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Invoxia GPS trackers allow tracking the position of agricultural machinery and offer additional protection through:

  • Automatic alerts in case of suspicious movement or displacement.
  • Security perimeters and entry and/or exit zone notifications.
  • A Theft File facilitating investigations and recovery of your assets.

Protection of Beehives and Agricultural Products
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Geolocation solutions are also used to protect beehives or stored agricultural products. Coupled with sensors, they allow monitoring storage conditions and quickly detecting thefts or damage.

For beekeepers, the use of GPS trackers to monitor hives remotely is favored, and hive supports are reinforced to make their movement more difficult.

Thefts among beekeepers are increasing, but it is possible to protect your farm with a simple trick!

Monitoring Herds and Sheepdogs
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In large farms, the number of animals can quickly rise, and it is sometimes difficult to notice the disappearance of one of them. Installing GPS trackers, attached to a collar for example, can therefore be a major asset for the farmer.

By defining security zones, they are immediately alerted when one of the GPS beacons leaves the perimeter. Whether for cows, horses, or sheep, a small tracking device like those from Invoxia will not hinder their movement and allows for quick action in case of disappearance.

In farms using sheepdogs, it’s not just the herd to monitor, but also the dog! For complete monitoring, the Minitailz offers all the essential features to keep an eye on their health, activities, and of course, their location.

Invoxia, a range of GPS trackers that meet all your needs.
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GPS Tracker Pro
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The latest generation protection for your machinery and equipment.

4G LTE-M Connectivity
Live Tracking for emergencies
Compact format (4 inches)

Monitor your machinery

Mini Tracker
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The security of your equipment in a mini format.

Ultra-compact format (1.60.80.7 inches)
LoRa Orange Technology
Battery life up to 3 months

Find your equipment in any circumstance >

Minitailz Dog Tracker
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The most comprehensive health and GPS tracking for sheepdogs.

GPS location and virtual fences
Live Tracking for emergencies
Health and activity monitoring and alerts

Locate your animals >

Thefts in the agricultural sector thus represent a real threat to farmers. This explains the growing demand for GPS trackers as an effective preventive measure, which significantly reduces these risks.

This is why FNSEA partners with Invoxia to help its members fight against thefts. Your federation offers you exceptional offers on our entire range of GPS trackers, to ensure your safety and strengthen the protection of the entire agricultural sector!

Contact your federation to learn more.

*Source: survey conducted by Invoxia in October 2024, with over 7300 responses

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