Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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Lightning arrestors and surge protectors:
These prevent the charger from electricity
damage. Surge protectors keep the charger safe from common current surges. Lightning
arrestors divert lightning strikes away from the charger.
Electric fencing is either used as the sole component in many fencing systems or combined
with other fencing types for added protection. It is ideal as a movable interior barrier in rota-
tional grazing systems. Electric fencing is fine to hold cattle as long as they are not crowded
or spooked. Cattle are curious and will probably discover the fence on their own; when they
do, they will leave it alone because the bite of an electric fence hurts. Another strategy is to
introduce cattle to the electric fence. The best way to do this is to stretch a live wire across a
small paddock, such as your receiving paddock, and entice the cattle to contact it. Placing the
line between the cattle and a water source, or the cattle and hay, is another effective strategy
for introducing your cattle to electric fencing.
Installing electric fencing is something you probably can figure out yourself. To stay safe
while putting up your fence, wait until the whole system is up before you plug in your fence
charger. Check your area's laws about posting warning signs on electric boundary fences and
warn neighbors, children, or visitors about the fence. If you have never installed an electric
fencing system before, you may want to seek advice from a trusted expert, such as an experi-
enced farmer or a local extension agent.
Electric fences work as an incomplete circuit from the charger through the fence system —
the circuit is complete when an animal, person, or anything else touching the ground contacts
it. You have to check your fence frequently to make sure the current is flowing through each
section and that no wires have come down. A visual inspection will detect downed lines, or
lines in contact with tall weeds. This saps the current, so you will have to be sure the areas un-
der the fence are grazed or mowed down. A digital volt meter will further help you check
your line for problems.
Dairy Farm Facilities
Dairy farms can be as small as one cow, or as big as herds with more than 1,000 animals.
There are several different kinds of equipment and methods used to milk these animals, from
hand milking and simple bucket systems to complex mechanized milkers. If you do not have
much equity, it may be better to get experience by working on someone else's land while you
build your herd, to lease someone else's farm, or to purchase an old dairy farm so you can get
