There has been a rash of thefts on farm irrigation equipment in Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff's department says thieves are stealing copper wiring from irrigation equipment.

Many farmers have been hit in the last few weeks. The sheriff's department says scrapping copper thieves are to blame.

The thefts are costing farmers thousands to repair and replace, not to mention the time it takes to clean up after the thieves.

Some farmers have been hit multiple times, left feeling helpless over how to protect themselves. Jim Guse's farm has been hit three times this year, with the most recent theft occuring just last week.

He is now paying more than 2,000 dollars to buy special clamps to secure the copper wire to his irrigation equipment.

He is not alone.

Keith Kirkdorfer has been hit about five times. The last theft happening just last week.

He has already put thousands of dollars into the repair of his irrigation equipment, which can often set his regular farm work back. “Some things we're doing are very timely, when we're detassling seed corn, has to be done that day,” says Kirkdorfer.

“I can name you five people right now who've had wire taken off in the last four weeks. I will do anything I can, working with departments to get thing stopped,” says Guse.

“They're melting it down and turning it to scrap metal businesses to get money,” says Deputy Kim Purlee, with the Cass County Sheriff’s department.

Deputy Purlee says the sheriff’s department has been in contact with local scrap yards to see if any of the copper is being turned in.

The sheriff's department is holding a meeting next week to speak with farmers. They plan to discuss ways to prevent future theft of this equipment.

If you have information on the wire irrigation theft, call the Cass County Sheriff's department at 269-445-1215.