Monday 20 August 2018

Types Of Effective Cattle Fencing Options

By Janet Murray


Fences are key elements in protecting livestock especially cows from predators and pest animals. They protect them from inadvertent human and car traffic. They also keep the cows away from crops and help them remain in their proper pastures. The major issue when it comes to cattle fencing is the strength of the fence to withstand the rubbing and pushing of the cows.

The fence you put up should be strong enough not to fall on the cows. With the different agricultural fences available in the market, you have a wide variety to choose from. A key thing to consider is the type of traffic near your livestock and the need to protect them from skidding vehicles and motorcycles.

The most effective and economical permanent fencing for cows is the use of barbed wire. It has been in use for over a hundred years and its basic concept has not changed. It still remains the classic solution when it comes to a permanent fence. Two to five strands of the barbed wire are enough to easily contain the animals. The major disadvantage of the barbed wire is the relatively high cost and the need for frequent maintenance. This is mainly due to the pressure exerted by the animals and the action of the weather. The wires need to be tightened every now and then.

There is another type of fencing that is becoming more preferable than barbed wire. The high tensile wire has gained popularity since it cheaper and more manageable than barbed wire. It has lower installation costs and requires less maintenance. Another advantage it has is that it can be electrified making it more effective.

If you live in an area that is rocky or that has hard soil, it is quite difficult to set up posts that are required with the barbed and high tensile wire fence. A good option in such an area is the Russell fence. This fence does not need posts to be set up. It can easily be put up in hills and valleys. It, however, is time-consuming and requires a lot of labor and wood.

There are other types of fences that can be used temporarily for cattle. Temporary fences are needed to keep them concentrated in the grazing area. It is best applied in rotational grazing where cattle are left to graze in an area called a paddock for a period of time till they graze everything. They are later moved to another paddock with greener pastures.

Temporary electric fences are the best solution for paddock management. Not only are they inexpensive and quick to install they are affordable. With time cattle learn to respect the electric fence and one strand is enough to keep them away. The calves may need more strands before they learn to keep away.

The use of visual barriers as a fencing option is a new method that is still under research. It works by keeping the cattle away through the use of alternate light and dark barriers. A common area for them is near streams of water. The cattle learn to stay away from the barrier and avoid crossing it. The method is however not so common.




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