Figures show there were 420 crimes reported each month on farms across Ireland for the first six months of 2014. These include the theft of farm machinery, livestock and vehicles.
Much of this activity is being put down to the work of criminal gangs using the motorway network to gain swift access and exit from rural areas.
Tipperary County Councillor and former ICMSA president Jackie Cahill says while the setting up of local Text Alert schemes is a step in the right direction, the lack of Garda resources is a major issue.
He is also advising caution before confronting thieves, saying people who come into a place to do crime will be determined not to get caught.
