(SAVANNAH, Mo.) The drought is causing more problems for Missouri farmers.
As hay prices skyrocket, thieves are taking the opportunity to cash in.
"It's a bigger concern this year just because hay is in short supply as a whole, and the value of this hay," says Jim Humphrey, Livestock Specialist for the MU Extension in Savannah.
After a dry summer, hay has become a hot commodity.
With that hay prices are shooting up.
"Yeah we've more than doubled the price. Hay is in a shorter supply this year because it's a pretty wide-spread drought," says Humphrey says.
With large bales of gold lying around all over rural areas, thieves are making their move.
"It just kind of produces a cycle, there's a demand there for a product, and unfortunately, sometimes people resort to theft to take that," says Sgt. Erik Eidson, of the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other departments have been dealing with the problem around the state.
They say especially when bales are out in the open, it's not hard for someone to take a few.
"It's been several bales that have been stolen and typically the farmer will realize the hay bales have been stolen," Eidson says.
"In some cases, it's not like people are going in and taking 50 bales at once, they're getting a few bales at a time," Humphrey says.
That's especially a problem now while one bale is worth around a hundred dollars.
Experts suggest for farmers to keep their hay in a safe place.
"Just be very observant about what's going on in your area, if there's anything suspicious, write down license plate information," Eidson says.
"They'll get their hay moved off their hay fields, and move to someplace where they can monitor it, then also count the bales," says Humphrey.
Authorities say since thieves are taking just a few bales at a time, many farmers don't notice.
They advise taking inventory on supplies.
As hay prices skyrocket, thieves are taking the opportunity to cash in.
"It's a bigger concern this year just because hay is in short supply as a whole, and the value of this hay," says Jim Humphrey, Livestock Specialist for the MU Extension in Savannah.
After a dry summer, hay has become a hot commodity.
With that hay prices are shooting up.
"Yeah we've more than doubled the price. Hay is in a shorter supply this year because it's a pretty wide-spread drought," says Humphrey says.
With large bales of gold lying around all over rural areas, thieves are making their move.
"It just kind of produces a cycle, there's a demand there for a product, and unfortunately, sometimes people resort to theft to take that," says Sgt. Erik Eidson, of the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other departments have been dealing with the problem around the state.
They say especially when bales are out in the open, it's not hard for someone to take a few.
"It's been several bales that have been stolen and typically the farmer will realize the hay bales have been stolen," Eidson says.
"In some cases, it's not like people are going in and taking 50 bales at once, they're getting a few bales at a time," Humphrey says.
That's especially a problem now while one bale is worth around a hundred dollars.
Experts suggest for farmers to keep their hay in a safe place.
"Just be very observant about what's going on in your area, if there's anything suspicious, write down license plate information," Eidson says.
"They'll get their hay moved off their hay fields, and move to someplace where they can monitor it, then also count the bales," says Humphrey.
Authorities say since thieves are taking just a few bales at a time, many farmers don't notice.
They advise taking inventory on supplies.
