Fence for steers

bja105 · #1 03/11/13, 07:57 PM

I might buy two 6 month old steers, a Jersey and a Holstein. We currently have four horses in 4 acres, subdivided into three sections. The current fence is two or three strands of galvanized wire.
1) The fence has always kept our horses in, will it keep the steers in, too?
2) I want to fence a different part of the farm for summer pasture. If I only run a single strand around more than enough pasture, will they stay in? How high for a single strand on sometimes steep terrain?
3) Any problems running horses and cattle? It will be 4 mares and two steers.
4) Any tips on keeping the deer from breaking a single or double strand? One section of the horses pasture was a single electro-braid wire, near the woods. I have had problems with deer running into it and breaking either the wire or my T-post insulators. The proposed new summer pasture will have even more deer running through it.
Thanks
Jason

unregistered41671 · #2 03/11/13, 08:36 PM

Congrats on getting the two steers. I do think that it will be tough to try to keep them in a two or three stand fence unless they are hot. Horses are usually easy to keep in but cattle are a little tougher. I have seen cattle kept in with 4 strands of good and tight barbed wire, but 5 or more is the norm. Personally, I like 6 strands. I doubt you would be able to keep them in at all with just one. Keeping cattle with horses can be a problem sometimes. With young calves being the new kids on the block it could be a real problem. If deer are breaking your hot wire, you may need to go to a heavier galv smooth wire and install springs so the wire can move a little. Even with that, if the deer can't see the wire they hit it pretty hard when running, and damage fences often.

bja105 · #3 03/11/13, 09:38 PM

Our existing fence is electric, and the proposed fence will be electric, also. I have good fencers, they were used to keep deer out of an orchard. I test the fence regularly. Would a strand or two of hot wire work?

bja105 · #4 03/11/13, 09:46 PM

I just mapped my new pasture, it will be 6 acres, more or less, depending on how ambitious I am and how many posts I can afford. I have no trouble keeping the horses in with the fence off, as long as they have good grazing. Are cattle more prone to wander, even if they have plenty to eat?
I also have the ability to separate the horses and cattle, if needed. The guy across the street runs 10 horses, 3 cattle, and 20 sheep in the same pasture with no problem. His pasture is bigger than my existing pasture, but much more densly stocked. I have to mow my pasture, since the horses can't keep up with it.
These will be my first cattle, so I have lots to learn. Don't be shy telling me I am being stupid.
Thanks
Jason

opportunity · #5 03/11/13, 10:02 PM

It really depends on the cattle and horses. One of my horses loves all the steers she will lay down and sleep with young cattle. My other horse is indiferant to the calfs but she picks on the bull all the time he gets kicked all the time. Cattle may wonder some days I don't need a fence and others 5 strands of barb and two hot will nto keep them in.

unregistered41671 · #6 03/11/13, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bja105

I just mapped my new pasture, it will be 6 acres, more or less, depending on how ambitious I am and how many posts I can afford. I have no trouble keeping the horses in with the fence off, as long as they have good grazing. Are cattle more prone to wander, even if they have plenty to eat?
I also have the ability to separate the horses and cattle, if needed. The guy across the street runs 10 horses, 3 cattle, and 20 sheep in the same pasture with no problem. His pasture is bigger than my existing pasture, but much more densly stocked. I have to mow my pasture, since the horses can't keep up with it.
These will be my first cattle, so I have lots to learn. Don't be shy telling me I am being stupid.
Thanks
Jason

IF your calves or cattle are trained to electric fence and you have a good HOT fence with a good ground system, plenty to eat, drink, company and all the other necessities, they would probably be contained in an electric fence. I would leave the power on. Cattle may try the fence more than horses. The ground needs to be super good as cows stand on a hoof where horses hooves have a frog (better ground) Especially in dry weather. Good luck. And no you're being stupid. They may not have a lot to eat, without you supplementing their feed,but it is feasible.

Some good reading
http://www.gallagherusa.com/electric-fencing/faq.aspx
http://goatconnection.com/articles/p...ticle_93.shtml
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...04376281900894