Spotlight   | Spring 2008

High gas prices fuel on-farm thefts

Anhydrous ammonia tanks have become favorite targets of methamphetamine makers, costing farmers thousands of dollars in stolen nitrogen fertilizer. Thieves are now turning their attention to another chemical container—the above-ground petroleum tank.

“With the price of gas and diesel fuel going up, some people are now a little bit more apt to help themselves to your fuel tanks,” says Fred Whitford, coordinator of Purdue University Pesticide Programs. “When that happens, you’re lucky if all you lose is the gas or diesel, because all you’ve lost is the money for that fuel. The real problem is when these thieves and vandals turn the power to the tank on, put as much fuel as they need into their truck and then let the rest run onto the ground. Now, you’ve not only lost a product, but you’ve also got soil contamination.”