350 bales of hay stolen from over the long weekend (Photo: Deanna Mitchell)

By Shaun Penner

STOLEN HAY

“It truly does suck”: 17-year-old farmer disappointed after hay bales stolen from property

Aug 5, 2021 | 2:39 PM

GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB. — A County of Grande Prairie farmer is feeling disappointed after he discovered hay which he had grown and baled was stolen off his property this past weekend.

That hay belonged to 17-year-old Brett Mitchell who for the past few years has been leasing land from a neighbour in the Teepee Creek area with his grandfather. Brett noticed a need for square bales in the Peace Region a few years back, he said.

Brett says late last week, he and his grandfather baled another cut, and when he returned to the field on Saturday, about 350 of the bales had been stolen.

“When 300-some bales especially are stolen or missing out of a field, it (makes) a pretty big dent,” Brett said, reflecting on the moment he arrived at the field Saturday.

He says he was shocked at first glance to think that someone would go to such lengths to take the bales, as hauling the hay away would be “no small task”.

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What leaves him feeling most bitter though is the fact that despite being only 17 years old, this operation is a business to him. Just recently, Brett had purchased his own tractor and baling equipment, on top of leasing land from his neighbour.

“It truly does suck. I got bills to pay here with brand new tractors and new balers. It’s quite disheartening, someone can just walk out into your field and grab them.”

The money he was to make on the bales was also planned to go right back into his business, as he saw an opportunity in the market caused by the current drought.

“With this money, I am actually likely going to buy myself some more cows,” said Brett. “At such a low price, I can buy them this winter and next spring when there is some grass, then I’ll be able to sell them.”

Brett also understands hay is in high demand this year due to drought, with many pastures dried up due to the ongoing hot weather and lack of precipitation.

However, he doesn’t see that as a good reason to take his bales.

“There’s tons of people who need hay right now,” said Brett. “If they don’t think I should have them, they definitely shouldn’t have them.

“If I ever get them back, I’ll sell them to the next person that deserves the bales.”

While it was difficult to learn, Brett’s mother Deanna says he has handled the situation well, suggesting he isn’t going to dwell on the past.

“He has just picked up his pants and said, ‘I’m going to keep on ranching’.”

Deanna adds they are hopeful the responsible party will own up to taking the bales and they will be returned.

“We’re just hoping maybe the neighbours in the area might have seen something that day, or the people who have done it maybe have talked and the word of mouth might get out.”

Since Saturday, when the bales were found to be stolen, a Facebook post from Deanna telling of Brett’s story has gone viral, having been shared over 10,000 times.

“I was really just venting as a mother being mad something happened to her son,” she said.

“But the support we have gotten back… I am really in awe and really blessed with the people around us.”