Farmers are thinking more about protecting their grain after RCMP revealed this week that about $20,000 worth of canola was stolen from a bin near Glenboro earlier this month.

Charles Fossay, president of the Manitoba Canola Growers Association, says that equates to about two thousand bushels or two semi-loads.

He notes there are ways to protect against this type of theft.

"Some farmers put a confetti into the grain when they store it and the confetti will have a serial number or some kind of identifying number on it," explained Fossay. "Grain companies could take a look at the samples they keep to see if there's any confetti in there and what number is on that confetti."

Another option would be for a farmer to install cameras on his or her property.

Fossay says it's been a few years since he's heard of a theft like this, adding this type of thing was more common about five or six years ago when farmers were getting higher prices for their grain.

"It's just a reminder that people should be aware that they have a valuable commodity on their property. It's very easy for people to come in when they are not around to put a load on a semi and leave the yard in less than an hour with $20,000 or more grain," he commented. "We work hard for our grain and to make a living and it's kind of disappointing when people come in and take advantage of farmers' trust."