Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
tational grazing system. You can move these units around to encourage the animals to distrib-
ute their manure and urine around the pasture. Where you place your shades or wind breaks
depends on where you live and the direction from which cold weather rolls in.
Fences
Fencing can be one of the most costly expenditures for a new farm. For a rotational grazing
program, you need both permanent and temporary fencing. The type of permanent fencing
you use is a matter of personal choice. A common choice in rotational grazing systems is
electrified, high-tensile wire as a permanent fence and portable electric wire for temporary
paddock divisions. You also can use different fencing types for different sections of your
farm: for example, high-tensile wire on one section of the farm and barbed wire in another
section. The most common types of fencing material are:
•
Barbed wire:
Barbed wire fencing has sharp barbs to discourage animals from trying to
cross through the fence. These fences, which usually consist of three to six strands, are
strongandrequirelittlemaintenance, becauseoncetheyareup,theywilllastawhileand
are not as prone to sagging as electric wire fencing. However, barbed wire is unmerciful
to wildlife that becomes tangled in the fence. It should never be electrified because an-
imals — or people — could be hung on the barbs, which could be lethal.
•
Electric wire:
Use two or three strands of electrified wire stretched across posts that can
be50ormorefeetapart.Thisisthecheapestandeasiestfencetoputup.Itcanbeusedas
permanent fencing. Electric wire is not a physical barrier but a psychological one. Cattle
easilycangothroughelectricfencing,butiftheyareshocked,theywillnotwantto.Elec-
tric wire fences can be hard for cattle to see, but if you turn them loose in a field, they
will stumble upon it. After this, they will be able to sense the current when they are near
one.
•
High-tensile wire:
High-tensile wire fences are easy to install and are stout, meaning they
can withstand impact from large animals without snapping. Farmers usually use two to
four lines of high-tensile wire, and usually two of these wires are electrified. This type
of fencing requires regular maintenance to ensure wires do not sag and that weeds or tall
grasses do not make contact with a line and drain its current.
