tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post4371421302718685208..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Rethinking Pasture RotationLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-90045221155278566852023-05-28T20:54:00.337-04:002023-05-28T20:54:00.337-04:00Fence malfunctions! Ha! I would never use an elect...Fence malfunctions! Ha! I would never use an electric fence for a perimeter or to separate bucks and does! It does have possibilities, though. Right now, I think both Dan and I are tired of always having to tend batteries. It's a never-ending chore.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-57129935862982914852023-05-28T14:56:32.656-04:002023-05-28T14:56:32.656-04:00I looked into electric fencing pretty closely at o...I looked into electric fencing pretty closely at one point, even going to a workshop in NH where I learned a lot and was kind of excited about the possibilities. After much thought, though, I had to admit my property is just not set-up-able for electric fence. Some friends with big flat pastures use it for their goats, but come to think of it, they've also had a number of mystery breedings due to what they call "fence malfunctions" so... hmmm. Most solutions come with pros and cons, I suppose!Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17292701509476856967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-18737614226986510442023-05-21T16:49:21.882-04:002023-05-21T16:49:21.882-04:00Ed, intensive rotational grazing is definitely mor...Ed, intensive rotational grazing is definitely more time consuming in terms of monitoring the amount they've grazed and making changes of paddocks accordingly. Those who stick with it can develop wonderful grazing for their animals, but it takes a bit of dedication. We had a good routine, but I've had too much trouble with keeping the fences charged properly. The consensus here seems to be that plugging the energizer into the grid is really the best way to go. Dan has wanted to get electricity to the barn and workshop for awhile now (other than an extension cord), so maybe the project can go back on the project list. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-41475540318890271862023-05-21T06:24:27.045-04:002023-05-21T06:24:27.045-04:00I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this on you...I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this on your blog before but when I was a teen, "intensive grazing" as it was called back then was all the rage and our neighbor was into it in a big way with his cattle operation. In fact, I helped him in his attempt to patent a rolling gate for electric fencing so he could easily switch between different paddocks of his pasture with only himself herding the animals. In the end, I don't think it was ever patented because of the cost of having to do it but it was a learning experience about patent searches and patent law for me. <br /><br />But I don't see intensive grazing happening at all anymore up here. I don't know if it is similar issues to yours or other reasons. Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-77212804672314697492023-05-20T13:12:45.327-04:002023-05-20T13:12:45.327-04:00Michael, I like that set-up as well. My challenge ...Michael, I like that set-up as well. My challenge is that our property is shaped like a big long piece of pie, with everything located at the base of the triangle. We currently have 5 pasture paddocks and two wooded areas we can rotate through. So at least that's something.<br /><br />TB, solar is the way to go if grid electricity isn't available. But as I pointed out, it requires more monitoring. With proper grazing rotations, it's possible to keep more animals on the land (it's even beneficial) than with large undivided pastures.<br /><br />Annie, it sounds like you've got a really good start! I would love to know how it works for you in the long-run. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-24695325932077123422023-05-20T11:52:55.611-04:002023-05-20T11:52:55.611-04:00I have attempted to do the same to some extent. I ...I have attempted to do the same to some extent. I do have an AC powered fencer that is strong. I think it was 5joules. It powers 50mi of wire. I only have 3 acres and its separated into 8 paddocks. Only about 2 is animal paddocks and an acreish yard. I only walk it if I see a problem. Or don't get a proper spark closing a gate/handle. It caries a healthy jolt when we get even a little rain, but this spring got weak due to prolong dry spell. It only grounds out completely when pushed up to the no climb or field fence. Grass and vines will get burned off eventually. During the dry time I leave access to all or most. Once the rains start I will close off areas first for 2 weeks at a time till I get enough growth they can be happy in a much smaller area. I have a cow and 10 goats now. Needing to sell a few more goats soon as I breed soon for fall kids and really only want 4-5 does. Like you I'm only about 3 years into this and since starting sold the horse and raised an orphan beef cow. So going forward is still experimenting and still learning.Annie in Ocalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10486670441823152903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-56700387288927293922023-05-20T08:49:34.610-04:002023-05-20T08:49:34.610-04:00Leigh, I think The Ranch is all on grid. To be fa...Leigh, I think The Ranch is all on grid. To be fair, the Cowboy has cattle (which do not seem as exploratory as the goats), but they have never had a significant issue with it. <br /><br />Honestly, given the extent of the fencing, I have no idea if solar would even work.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-54051966374601530182023-05-20T07:30:18.383-04:002023-05-20T07:30:18.383-04:00One of the best set ups I've seen is the wheel...One of the best set ups I've seen is the wheel method.<br /><br />The barn (or seasonal shelter) is the hub where you feed water and shelter the goats from predators. It's also where the power system for the electric fencing is.<br /><br />The rotational pastures are spoke like from that hub.<br /><br />Mob grazing (including poultry) and pasture rotation is very efficient in keeping worms down and allowing the pasture to regenerate as you well know.<br />Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05329176313885665469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-90257838523778487232023-05-19T21:24:35.127-04:002023-05-19T21:24:35.127-04:00Rich, sounds like you have a really good set-up. W...Rich, sounds like you have a really good set-up. We don't have electricity in the barn, but I'm beginning to wonder if it might not be worth it. Considering the problems we've had with solar energizers and 12-volt batteries, it might be more economical in the long run. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-56700446946166139842023-05-19T14:05:31.473-04:002023-05-19T14:05:31.473-04:00I have no experience with goats, but I can tell yo...I have no experience with goats, but I can tell you how my fencing is installed. <br /><br />I have a mains (AC) energizer installed near a barn where I have power, it powers a permanent high-tensile wire installed around most of the perimeter of the farm that has other electric fences dropping off of it to divide fields. If I want to subdivide a field I attach a temporary fence to one of the permanent fences. I usually leave the energizer on year-round and don't worry about grass growing into them, and don't walk them unless there is an obvious problem. <br /><br />I have another smaller energizer in a smaller field that's set up about the same way except it's only about 1 joule, the wire is all 14-ga steel wire, and the bulls don't test it. <br /><br />Buy a quality energizer (I like Gallagher), install a good ground system, and I'd think it would work to keep goats in. <br /> Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412944120622315804noreply@blogger.com