Electric fencing is an effective grazing tool cattle producers should consider taking advantage of throughout the grazing season.
“The fence you put up doesn’t have to be permanent and expensive as electric fencing systems on the market today are very effective, mobile and easy to install,” says Andrea Hanson, beef extension specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Airdrie. “There are a number of companies in Alberta that sell electric fencing supplies. Some companies even provide a self-contained portable package deal with everything included.”
Cattle need to be trained to the electric fence. “An electric fence is a psychological barrier, not a physical one,” explains Hanson. “To an untrained cow, an electrical wire isn’t an impediment. However, once accustomed to the electric fence, some producers have even got away with putting up twine to direct cattle into holding yards.”
It takes a few days to train to get cattle used to an electric fence and it may take even longer to train the producer to be confident.
“One method to train the cattle is to put up a perimeter hot wire in a small pasture or paddock and allow the cattle to discover it on their own,” says Hanson. “Cattle react in one of two ways; they either jump forward or they back up. If they do jump forward they may break the wire if it’s made of polyethylene, so gather them back up and enclose them again, fix the fence and allow them to challenge the fence for a second time. An animal testing the fence for a second time is usually prepared to back up. If an animal continues to challenge and tear down the fence, cull the animal or don’t include it in the bunch because it will be a problem for you. Check the herd often to ensure the herd hasn’t been spooked through the fence.
Source : Agriculture and Forestry