For decades livestock producers in rural Ontario have been struggling with a side-affect of electrical transmission says OFA Director, Larry Davis in a recent release.
“It’s called stray voltage and livestock exposed to even low levels of electrical current may experience tingling sensations that impact their behaviour and health. For dairy cows, for example, this means nervousness, uneven milk production, increases in inflammation including in their udders, and being reluctant to eat their feed or drink water. In severe cases, cows become sterile or even die as a result.
On the farm, ground tests for stray voltage show the problem is often caused by levels of current lower than one-volt, which humans can’t feel but animals can. Unfortunately, current legislation places the threshold for utilities to take action at one-volt or higher, which means it is difficult for farmers to work with the electrical sector to find solutions.”
There are signs that the provincial government is hearing concerns, though. Recently Ontario’s energy minister, Todd Smith formed the Stray Voltage Working Group to focus on the issue.
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Source : Small Farm Canada