Rustlers target ewes

After Kojonup's Thys Gordon had more than 170 ewes stolen, he is urging neighbours and other farmers to be more vigilant and always report suspicious behaviour.

While pregnancy testing on his leased property south of Williams three weeks ago, Mr Gordon noticed his mob of 600 ewes was 200 short.

After returning to the paddock and checking for fallen fences or open gates, he completed the paperwork and confirmed about 170 sheep had been stolen.

Mr Gordon said whoever had taken the ewes had not done it alone and probably had some inside knowledge about farming.

"Most farmers don't count their sheep every single week, and I only realised it because I was preg- testing, otherwise I wouldn't have noticed," he said.

"They used my sheep yards. The paddock wasn't far and when I entered the yards the previous day I noticed everything was set up funny and gates were opened - not the way I would leave it or use it - but I didn't think anything of it."

Mr Gordon said he was hoping insurance would help cover the costs but there was not much else he could do.

With about 170 ewes stolen and eight to nine months' worth of wool on them, he was looking at $20,000 dollars in losses.

"It's not hard to flick a tag out. I presume they would use them for meat or a cheap way of getting livestock and selling them off," Mr Gordon said.

"My neighbours and I will definitely be more vigilant in the future and always keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour."