Getting Started on leased land

Southtownfarms · #1 03/16/14, 05:29 AM

We have about 10 acres of good pasture. It is leased land that we grow broiler and laying chickens on. We are tired of cutting the grass constantly and would like to bring in 1 or 2 beef cows, just to keep the grass down in front of our chicken pens. Problem is, the farm does not have a perimeter fence, at all. We would like to install one, but just can't justify the cost with it being a rental property that we might not be at in 2 more years. Do you think we could get away with just fencing a few paddocks at a time with electric, or are we taking too much of a risk with no perimeter? Also, we live in an area with a heavy coyote population. Would I have any troubles with a 300 pound feeder calf?

Farmer Jayne · #2 03/17/14, 08:44 AM

It's been by experience that fencing issues have a lot to do with the individual cow. A happy, tame cow that is used to electric and has lots of food, water and companionship is more likely to respect the fence. A cow that is hungry, lonely, doesn't know what an electric fence is or is wild to begin with will probably walk right through it. Also, if a cow is being run by coyotes or dogs all bets are off. We have the perimeter of our property fenced with high tensile wire (6 strands) and we use a very high powered charger. It will light you up, especially if the ground is wet. If the cows (or goats or mule) know that it is there it works great. Our interior fencing is electric twine, which is cheaper and easily moveable (unlike the high tensile wire). It usually works. When it doesn't, the perimeter fence keeps them on the property, so it's not a disaster.
I don't have much experience with coyotes, so I don't know. So far our fence has kept out the idiot neighbors' (yes, that's plural) pit bulls that they refuse to confine.

wr · #3 03/17/14, 11:19 AM

Electric fencing is not failsafe and many thing can cause failure so unless someone lives on the property, I would not rely on electric fencing.

I also feel that livestock need to be checked daily. Will you be in a position to do that? If not, I would suggest you wait until you are better set up.