Cattle and electric fence

[starjj]

I just got two beef heifers about 15 and 13 months old. They are trained to electric and I haven't had any problems with them although it has just been 3 days. I was wondering if it is necessary to run the electric charger all the time? 2 sides and front are woven wire 48" tall with electric (one strand) on top. The back is all electric 4 strands (3 are wire one is rope) all hot. I was wondering if it was safe to turn off the electric during the day and just run it at night. Since it is so hot they spend most of the day just resting except for night grazing and early morning they like to rest.

[sassafras manor]

It depends if you can afford to take the chance of them making their way out onto a road and getting hit or wandering off. If you have only had them for 3 or so days, they surely do not know where "home" is yet. If it was me the energy savings would not offset the investment you have in the cattle. If you don't mind me asking why would you not run it 24 hours a day?

[LibertyWool]

Why would you want to turn it off? My chargers don't use much electricity. Even with mine on, my cows have gotten out twice this summer. Once it looks like he jumped it for whatever reason. The second time it was weedy and a lot of dew. I use a lot of electronet because I have sheep also, so it doesn't take much growth to draw the charge off.

[starjj]

Thanks for the replies. I was not sure just how much electric a charger uses. No I would not turn it off after only 3 days. They are just getting use to me as the new owner. Still sort of nervous since they got here but all in all they are settling in nicely. Thanks again.

[genebo]

Starjj,

Check local laws, too. In most places, you're required to keep your cattle in. In some places, they even specify the types of fences you have to use. If it's electric, you might be required to keep it on. At least make the effort to keep them in.

In my county, if a cow gets out and is hit by a car, the driver has to pay for the cow, unless, your cows habitually get out or it can be shown that you were negligent in your efforts to keep her in. Then you not only have to pay for the car, you're guilty of a crime.

To illustrate how much electricity a fence charger uses, you can buy a battery powered model that runs off of a car battery and can go 25 days between charges. Not much, huh?

Genebo
Paradise Farm

[agmantoo]

From the information provided by Parker McCrory Mfg, the manufacturer of the RM 1 fence charging unit, I have concluded the following

.125amp x 110 volts$.086/kwh*
----------------------------------- = $.00118/hour
1000

24.hours 365 days = 8760 hours

8760 hrs. x $.00118 = $10.33 yearly energy costs


*$.086 Energy United rate per kilowatt

[starjj]

I appreciate all the replys. Sounds like leaving it on all the time is pennies for the safety.

[topside1]

Agman is right, less than $2.00 a month...Topside

[starjj]

I won't even notice it then since the bill for the A/C is high. My little dog discovered electric can hurt. They are not use to it being on. Have had it up for close to a year but couldn't find any heifers to buy for the pasture.

[gone-a-milkin]

Another reason to leave it on: If you shut it off, it is only a matter of time until you forget to turn it back on. Ask me how I know. <sigh>

[topside1]

She know's, just ask her.....We have all been there haven't we...Topside

[willow_girl]

Also, if you leave it off, the cows will stick their heads under the fence to graze, and pop the wires off the insulators. Then when you turn it back on, you'll have to go looking for the short.

[starjj]

Originally Posted by willow_girl

Also, if you leave it off, the cows will stick their heads under the fence to graze, and pop the wires off the insulators. Then when you turn it back on, you'll have to go looking for the short.

Yeah that is what I thought of too. Someone told me maybe make the bottom wire non electric because it is quite low in spots and my dog got zapped. I told him exactly what you are mentioning.