By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), and other state and local farm groups, are offering a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in livestock operations-related vandalism cases occurring in three northeast Iowa counties late last November.

“Iowa’s livestock farmers go to great lengths to ensure the health, safety and well-being of their livestock, and when senseless acts like this occur, it becomes a concern for all of those involved in agriculture,” said Brian Waddingham, CSIF executive director.

Sheriff’s departments in Bremer, Chickasaw and Fayette counties are currently investigating incidents spread over a nine-day period at three livestock facilities where office equipment was damaged, windows were broken out, liquids were poured onto the floor and drains were plugged.

According to authorities, three hog confinement facilities were vandalized the weekend of Nov. 29 in Chickasaw County near Lawler.

The Fayette County Sheriff Department reported similar cases east of Sumner and West Union. In addition, a turkey operation in Bremer County was recently vandalized. In two of the incidents, a 12-gauge shotgun was used to disable power to electrical transformers and a security light.

The three sheriff departments said the reward would assist investigators as they move forward with the case. A CSIF statement said the sheriffs are “hopeful that someone with knowledge about what happened will step forward and contact one of their offices, and it’s their intent to see this investigation through to a timely and successful outcome.”

Authorities also reminded Iowa farmers to be “vigilant in monitoring their farms as well as their neighbor’s farms. If suspicious activity is observed, farmers are urged to report it to the sheriff’s department immediately.”

Anyone with information that may help solve any of the incidents has been encouraged to contact their local sheriff’s office.

The CSIF is a non-profit organization that assists livestock farmers who want help interpreting rules and regulations, guidance on good site locations for barns, counsel on enhancing neighbor relations and tips on how to protect the environment at no cost.

Since its launch in 2004, the CSIF has offered nearly $25,000 in rewards to help solve livestock vandalism cases throughout the state. In August 2006, a dozen of one farmer’s cows were shot dead, with another losing a 370-head hog nursery in a January 2007 fire, which investigators said was intentionally set.
Farmers with questions about livestock barn security have been encouraged to contact Kent Mower, CSIF field specialist, at 800-932-2436.