Riverina: Hillston farmer distraught after prize livestock stolen

Livestock theft is not uncommon in the Riverina, but even the authorities are puzzled as to how more than 50 merino rams were stolen from a farm in the quiet town of Hillston last month.

Riverina farmer Ian McLean is around $50,000 out of pocket after 55 of his prize merino rams were stolen from his 25,000 acre property in the quiet town of Hillston.

Mr McLean said he has no idea why anyone would target his farm, and believed the only reason anyone would steal the rams - which sell for $800 to $1000 each - would be for breeding purposes.

“I am just a small-time producer. I did own 67 rams, now I am left with 12 and I cannot believe someone has stolen my rams,” he said.

“It happened in the last month; the last time I saw them was in late June and because I had trouble with my father who since died I was going backwards and forwards from Canberra. There is a period where I was away for three to four days so they could have been pinched then.

“I have got no idea why this has happened, my only suspicion is it could be due to breeding as we know that’s why you need high prize rams for.

“You wouldn’t use rams for meat, we know they are too tough to eat, and I doubt anyone saw the incident take place due to how large the property is.”

Mr McLean’s Hillston property is over 25,000 acres. Picture: Supplied

Mr McLean said his only option was to head back to the trading markets to buy more livestock.

“Now I will have to go back to the stockyards to try to find similar sized rams which is really hard and costly,” he said.

NSW Police rural crime prevention team’s southern region co-ordinator, Detective Sergeant Damien Nott, said livestock thefts were not uncommon in areas like the Riverina, but said the amount of rams taken made this crime stand out.

“Livestock thefts are not uncommon in rural NSW and Australia but the size of this theft is highly unusual,” Sergeant Nott said.

Livestock thefts are not uncommon in rural NSW, according to NSW Police. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

“At this stage we are only into the early part of the investigation but the motives into why you would steal any livestock at all include using it as meat or for breeding purposes.”

Sergeant Nott said supply and demand of livestock shaped rural crime.

“We know other times factors why thieves are attracted to rural properties can be from a variety of factors - including for example fat lambs attract thieves as they will convert them into cash at stockyards, or when there is a drought we see female stock stolen due to high demand for breeding.”

Sergeant Nott asked anyone with information to come forward, and urged farmers to use additional security measures such as chains, locks and security cameras - especially in light of the recent theft.

“It is important to put chains and locks on gates as the crooks who want to target your property will have second thoughts if you have the right security measures in place,” he said.

“We also urge farmers all across NSW to report rural crime because nearly all rural crime goes unreported and if we can do more this will help us put in the work to prevent these types of situations.”

Police are urging farmers to take action to prevent livestock theft. Picture: Supplied

Meantime Mr McLean remains hopeful that his rams will be found, while he works to install further security on his farm.

“I urge the public to call me if you spot my rams - half of the herd are electronically tagged while the others have steel tags,” he said.

“I am just in disbelief and am looking to increase security on my property.”

To report information about the whereabouts of the rams, call 1800 333 000 or please visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/.