Thieves steal kilometres of copper wire from farms

WINNIPEG — Manitoba producers say thieves have stripped kilometres worth of copper wire from irrigation equipment, rendering it inoperable, from farms near Portage la Prairie.

“We’re extremely frustrated,” said Rachael Proden, whose family discovered they had fallen victim to theft on their land north of Portage in early May.

“We were getting ready for the season and noticed the copper wire had been cut and pulled off of an entire irrigation pivot. We found that out like one week before we were supposed to be seeding that field, so it was kind of like a punch to the gut,” Proden said.

Irrigation pivots are large wheeled implements that have sprayer nozzles. They are typically around 400 metres long and allow farmers to water large swaths of land to improve yield.

Proden said the implements typically remain on fields over winter and are not frequently inspected outside of farming season, making it difficult to say for certain when the theft occurred.

The family reported the crime to RCMP, and then began speaking with farmers in the area who reported they’d also been hit by thieves.

Keystone Agricultural Producers, which represents farmers in the province, confirmed it is aware of at least six additional farms around Portage that also had copper stripped from irrigation pivots and planting equipment.

“We are trying to figure out whether this is a regional issue, or whether this is happening in other areas,” general manager Colin Hornby said.

“It’s definitely concerning. We hope this is a blip and not something that is happening in large numbers everywhere. Right now, we are focusing on what we can do to stop it.”

RCMP were not able to comment Tuesday. A spokesperson said they were waiting for more information from the local detachment.

Proden estimated replacing the wire could cost from $14,000 to $25,000.

There is a limited number of irrigation technicians in the province capable of completing such work, meaning the equipment could remain out of commission for an extended period.

While irrigation pivots are typically insured, premiums could skyrocket unless they pay out of pocket, Proden said.

She’s concerned the incidents of theft could create a bottleneck for repairs and cause further delays.

Some producers have started to install trail cameras and conduct more frequent inspections of their equipment. Others plan to leave the pivots hooked up to electrical power even in the off season to discourage thieves who could risk serious injury or death if they try to cut the wire, Proden said.

Hornby said KAP is communicating with the province and politicians to discuss how to combat the issue. It is incumbent on authorities to crack down on the sale of stolen metals to scrap dealers, he said.

Manitoba enacted the Scrap Metal Act in 2022, which prohibits the sale of metallic wire that has had insulation or casing removed from it, unless the seller can provide proof of ownership to the buyer at the time of the transaction.

It requires dealers to obtain proof of identification from the seller and retain records about the transaction, limit cash purchases of scrap metal and provide regular reports to law enforcement agencies.

Tory Jeff Bereza, who represents Portage la Prairie, said his party filed a freedom of information request with Manitoba Justice last year to determine the number of inspections and enforcement actions taken under the law from Jan. 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025.

That search yielded no results. The Manitoba ombudsman said such records are not collected by the department because enforcing the legislation falls under the purview of police.

Bereza said he was not satisfied by the response.

“What it says to me is that they’re not taking this seriously,” he said.

The MLA, who believes thieves are continuing to sell stolen metal to dealers, described it as a crime of desperation driven by drug addiction and poverty.

“They are willing to risk their lives basically to steal copper wire … which is really a concern,” Bereza said.

Proden is concerned about getting crops in the ground before the planting window slips away.

“We are just very frustrated with the system. People can steal copper and then go to a scrap yard and wash their hands of it and they’re gone with their cash,” Proden said. “(Thieves) are going after anything they can get their hands on, and it kind of seems like there are no consequences.”

A spokesperson for Justice Minister Matt Wiebe confirmed he is aware of the concerns raised about the copper thefts in Portage.

Manitoba Justice is reviewing options to address the issue, including enforcement initiatives under the Scrap Metal Act, the spokesperson said.

The Portage farmers are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the thefts.

» Winnipeg Free Press