A FORMER Tower Hill dairy share farmer was sentenced to a year's jail after being convicted of nine theft charges.

Duncan John Smith, of Mooroopna, is appealing the court's decision and is on bail.

Magistrate Ian von Einem sentenced Smith in the Geelong Magistrates Court to 12 months' jail with a minimum of six months last week.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Colin Ryan, of Warrnambool's Criminal Investigation Unit, told The Weekly Times it was alleged in court that Smith was share farming at a Tower Hill property when he stole 37 cattle and about 150 calves in 2009.

Police alleged 32 animals were sold for $19,000 to Warrnambool's Midfield Meat and another five were loaded into a truck.

Police also charged Smith with the theft of 150 calves and farm equipment worth $3300.

Leading Senior Constable Ryan said police and the Department of Primary Industries worked together on the case and used id tags to show Smith did not own the cattle at the time of sale.

An appeal will be listed in the Warrnambool County Court at a date to be fixed.