Rafter S
Well-known member
I've had good luck with posts spaced at 20', with one wire about waist high and the other about knee high. That works for cows and calves.
We also put our cows on bloat blocks for at least three days before we put them out on the alfalfa, I like to have them on it for a week if I can. We have never lost a cow due to bloat. It is pretty important to get them on the bloat blocks before turning them out.Hi tensile fence is absolutely the best fence. I use it for parameter and single polywire for divisions. But, Richmn is NOT looking to put a permanent fence.
Two strand polywire with a HOT fencer will work fine - after you teach them what a polywire is. I would NOT rely on the charger this neighbor has without checking it's power.
JFYI - there are fence testers that tell you which way your short is located - and how severe it is. If you pass the spot, it lets you know. I wouldn't have electric fence without it (on permanent electric fence like I have).
Now, I will ask others to jump in on the issue of grazing dormant alfalfa. When I hear grazing alfalfa, it scares the poop out of me - one year we were managing a herd for another farm. Their pastures were newly fenced from old hay fields. One day I walked out to check the herd after turning them into "mostly grass with a little bit of alfalfa". I had 1 dead, 1 dieing and the rest of the herd bloated. I learned to be VERY cautious with alfalfa.
Grazing dormant alfalfa out here is very common. A few days after a hard freeze and everyone turns them out. We have been doing it without bloat blocks forever. My alfalfa is about ankle tall and dormant. My neighbor is grazing bulls in knee high alfalfa and they are still alive. He is crazyHi tensile fence is absolutely the best fence. I use it for parameter and single polywire for divisions. But, Richmn is NOT looking to put a permanent fence.
Two strand polywire with a HOT fencer will work fine - after you teach them what a polywire is. I would NOT rely on the charger this neighbor has without checking it's power.
JFYI - there are fence testers that tell you which way your short is located - and how severe it is. If you pass the spot, it lets you know. I wouldn't have electric fence without it (on permanent electric fence like I have).
Now, I will ask others to jump in on the issue of grazing dormant alfalfa. When I hear grazing alfalfa, it scares the poop out of me - one year we were managing a herd for another farm. Their pastures were newly fenced from old hay fields. One day I walked out to check the herd after turning them into "mostly grass with a little bit of alfalfa". I had 1 dead, 1 dieing and the rest of the herd bloated. I learned to be VERY cautious with alfalfa.
Does corn and oats make the electric fence more effective????When ever I hear grazing alfalfa, obviously it scares me.
Glad to hear it's normal and healthy.
Corn and oats should help your situation.
Satisfied cows make electric fence effective.Does corn and oats make the electric fence more effective????
Sounds like you have a great neighbor.My neighbor has 40 acres of dormant alfalfa. The property has a partial barb wire fence.
He has an electric fence that He is willing to put up.
How effective are electric fences ?
Do I need to train the cows prior ? Thanks
That is what we do here in Riverton. Although there have been times we had to put the cow out on the field before a hard freeze. Getting the cows on bloat blocks are good insurance before letting out on the hay field. We have never lost a cow because of bloat since dad bought the farm in 2006.Lots of irrigated alfalfa in Wyoming. Most wait until a hard frost and winter cows on it. Excellent winter pasture.