THE theft of cattle from a remote farm in Dentdale is a stark reminder of how vulnerable farmers can be.

Tony Hunter has been left ‘totally demoralised’ and is now thinking about selling his herd after rustlers targeted his farm for the second time in two years. He is not alone in losing stock this way. The National Farmers’ Union’s Kendal and Sedbergh group secretary Derek Lomax says cattle and sheep thefts are ‘going on all the time’.

Sheep are the most popular target for thieves because their size makes them easier to handle and they are often in kept in fields away from the farmhouse. However, as Mr Hunter’s experience shows, there are rogues who obviously have the livestock handling skills to steal cattle from a farm at the dead of night without discovery. After being visited twice by such bold thieves, it is understandable that Mr Hunter is now considering his future.

Farming is difficult enough as it is without this added scourge. However, Cumbria Police are acutely aware of the problems of livestock thefts and other rural crime and officers have taken part in night-time operations along with their counterparts from neighbouring counties to try and apprehend rustlers.

But Cumbria is a large rural county and police budget cuts inevitably has an impact on resources that can be devoted to the problem. That, of course, is no comfort to local farmers, many of whom are currently having to deal with a range of worrying issues, not least the recent milk price cuts. Hill farming in particular is precarious and there is a serious question over whether it can be sustained for many more decades.

The average age of farmers in the sector is around that at which most people consider retiring - and their incomes are pathetically low, particularly considering the hours they work.

That Mr Hunter has managed to keeping farming for 54 years is a remarkable testament to his resilience.

If he does choose retirement, he certainly deserves a restful and peaceful one.