We believe that a healthy, productive and successful farm works from the ground up.
If we want healthy crops and animals, we need healthy soil.
To us, fencing in open field for livestock use is supportive of building a healthy and regenerative ecosystem.
We are not only putting a fence around the perimeter but, we are also dividing it into sections for rotational (controlled) grazing - an added bonus!
That's why we are putting a fence up today!
Why we chose to fence an open field.
We have livestock who can graze it. And so....
Increased forage production. A well managed controlled grazing program can increase quality forage production by minimizing specific plant overgrazing by 30-70% each year.
Increased soil fertility. Controlled grazing does several things to improve pasture soil fertility and organic matter. Two specific things include:
Spreading manure around the whole pasture rather than under a favourite tree or single water area.
Plants that are over-grazed or less healthy from being grazed every few days have smaller root mass which leads to less soil organic matter.
Reduced synthetic fertilizer use. Increased organic matter and soil fertility will reduce needs for purchased fertilizers, and result in increased forage production.
Increased resistance to drought. Decreased water run off and increased soil organic matter keep pastures more resistant to impacts of drought, increase forage production and maintain forage growth longer into periods of droughts.
Control less desirable plants. The ability to control paddock size can strongly encourage your sheep or cattle to eat the less desirable plants at the times you need them to.
Extending the grazing season. Some plants will come earlier and others will stay later than the typical summer grazing season.
Improved animal management. Moving the temporary fencing allows a positive relationship with the animals to flourish. They don't only associate the farmer with less pleasurable experiences like vaccination or castrations, but also being released into a new paddock full of their untouched favourite flora treats!
Animal assessment. Lagging animals are noticed more frequently due to paddock shifting. When they all surge past the gate where the farmer is standing they can be easily identified and treated.
Why we chose electrical fencing for our field
Electric fences can be much cheaper and faster than conventional fences.
The risk of injury to livestock is lower compared to fences made of barbed wire or certain types of woven wire with large openings that can entangle the feet.
We live off a busy road and don't want any livestock escaping and getting caught in traffic.
Permanent electric fencing is used in many agricultural areas. The effects of the shock depend upon the voltage, the energy of the pulse, the degree of contact between the recipient and the fence and ground and the route of the current through the body.
An electrical shock can range from barely noticeable to uncomfortable, painful or even lethal.
We have a set voltage when livestock first explore the new area making it uncomfortable enough that the animals won't touch it again. After a couple weeks the voltage is decreased because the animals quickly learn their geographic limitations.
Electric materials are also used for the construction of temporary fencing for our rotational grazing.
That's the gist of it!
Now, to complete the fence and get those animals out there!!
