"Crop Tour"

[edneeds]

NW Ohio

So I found two young men in one of our better soybean fields, Wednesday (7/22), that just happens to be accessible from a back road. One of the men was from Thailand and one from Brazil. No one had given them permission to be on the property or to be pulling plants that they were beginning to measure when I happened upon them. I asked what they were doing in my field..."We're with the crop tour" What crop tour, I asked? "Hmmm, oh so sorry, oh so sorry, the one stated. After getting no where w/ other questions, I asked them to leave and they would not, I told them they could deal w/ the sheriff then, the Brazilian spouted "thanks for the warm welcome," as he finally got in the vehicle w/ Illinois plates.

I wonder what would have happened to me if I had gone into some farmers bean field in Brazil and started scouting and pulling plants without permission?

I'm not happy but curious what others think I should do or if there is any actions I can take or agency to contact? The kid from Thailand has a Bangkok company address and business card. Thanks for any helpful advice.

[wglassfo]

Is the field posted "No Tresspassing??

I know it is a pain, but around here unless it is posted, sort of a 50-50 thing or less for the land owner

Police will not come unless it is a B & E in progress

Can take up to 30-45 minutes to get a car, so there are not too many in our part of the world

Best thing would be to get a picture and then find the local sherrif, before they disappear

Their word against yours is tough

I know it isn't right, but folks  feel free to go any where

You heard that story about china stealing genetics from corn

I was in china and they were not the least bit embarassed

How can we catch up with out stealing?? was their rational

[Kay/NC]

Legally speaking, once told to leave and they don't, it becomes trespassing. It sounds a lot like dome sort of agricultural espoinage, doesn't it?

I agree with the assessment of law enforcement response. I think it might be not a bad idea to call the state department of agriculture, and just see what take they have on it. If you have a card and I would think you took the license plate number, that would allow some investigation to occur.

[wrightcattle]

maybe spreading some white mold, or the next fungus would help some fund's market portfolio? just never know 4 sure.

[Kay/NC]

You mention a prospect that has been on my mind fir two years...our integratir gets bought by the Chinese, then the swine herd is hit with two horrendous epidemics, PEDV and PRRS 174, both of Chinese origin, back- to- back.

[minnisota]

I would have invited them to dinner and talked to them. Record every word, telling them some sort of story how you appreciated their interest but in our country we ask for permission to go on someones land. They must have thought they where important make em feel that way you don't scare em and you have proof of trespass if they turn out to be bad guys.

[bruce MN]

Or somehow similar?

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/122441/corn-wars