Electric fence technology is taking another giant step forward with the scheduled launch of Gallagher’s i Series Fence Energizer Systems at National Fieldays.

Featuring advanced fence monitoring technology, the i Series Energizers are another
world-first for Gallagher and highlight their ongoing commitment to solve the daily challenges of farming.

Gallagher Animal Management Marketing Manager, Mark Harris describes the i Series as the “biggest advancement in electric fencing since the launch of SmartPower in the mid-1990s”.

“These Energizers deliver so much more information into the hands of the farmer. It’s like having six people out on your farm constantly measuring the current and voltage of your fence and reporting the information back to you.”

Available in three models - M1200i, M1800i and M2800i - the new Energizers are a classic example of practical products offering brilliant simplicity.

Each model comes with an Energizer Controller that enables the user to monitor the condition of the fence and performance of the Energizer. This controller can be used to turn the Energizer on or off, set alarm thresholds, and make adjustments to the target output voltage. Mark says the ability to locate the controller away from the Energizer is a major bonus.

“Energizers are often hidden away in the back of a shed where they are not easily monitored and this can lead to uncertainty about whether saved pastures are safe or one stock class is being kept away from another. But a key advantage of an i Series Energizer is that the controller can be positioned in a separate more conveniently-accessed location where it is easy to view.”

Incorporating high efficiency components that deliver outstanding performance and stock control, i Series Fence Energizers make it easy for farmers to find and fix faults quickly and efficiently. Fence monitors compatible with the M1800i and M2800i units can be placed in strategic locations along the fence line, dividing a fence system into zones to make it quicker and easier to locate a fence fault.

To improve functionality even further, i Series Energizers are available with a range of optional features, including an SMS Energizer Controller module that enables fence performance to be monitored and controlled from anywhere with cell coverage. This means if a serious problem with a fence is detected; the farmer is notified immediately via a text message to your mobile phone.

The ability to control the M1800i & M2800i Energizer remotely with a Remote and Fault Finder means farmers don’t have to waste time returning to the Energizer to turn it on or off when they want to fix a fault. “If you are at the back of the farm fixing a fault, the last thing you want to do is drive all the way to the front of the farm just to turn the Energizer off.”

Mark says i Series Energizers will give farmers peace of mind that their fences are being constantly monitored for optimal performance.

Extensively trialled and virtually bullet-proof, all Energizers feature a rugged, water and insect resistant casing that’s designed to ensure many years of use in the toughest of rural conditions.

The flagship M2800i (28 stored joules) is the “mains-powered heart” of the new intelligent fence system, incorporating the Energizer, Energizer Controller unit and a host of compatible accessory products to make this the ultimate combined energizing, monitoring and fault-finding system.

It features a high efficiency adaptive control output, with alarms to indicate when fence or earth problems occur. An additional advantage of the M2800i is that the Energizer Controller can be installed up to 50m from the Energizer.

”All i Series Energizers have been designed to cope with greater extremes in temperature and are extremely tolerant of the wide range of mains-power fluctuations that can occur in rural locations.”

As well as ensuring consistent and high quality fence performance, the new Energizers also have applications for farm security.

When connected to the optional alarm controller and SMS accessory products, “If someone opens up an electrified gate or section of fence, the system will notify you straight away, even if you are away from the farm.”

He says the information provided by i Series Energizers will give farmers more confidence in the performance of their electric fencing systems.

“Good electric fencing is critical to the successful operation of any pastoral farm, so the whole aim of i Series Fence Energizer Systems is to give farmers the assurance that their fences are doing the job they were put there to do.”
 

Please order online 24/7 or call VALLEY FARM SUPPLY at  717-786-0368

Uses and benefits

Animal control is perhaps the most widely recognized reason for power fencing. Not only does power fencing keep domestic animals and livestock contained, it has various other important uses, including:

• Keeping wild animals out
• Separating different groups of animals
• Allowing rationing of crops and pasture
• Fencing animals off from eroding areas, trees, rivers and roads

Power fencing has revolutionized pasture management techniques and better pasture management means better profitability for farmers. Permanent or portable power fences are used to subdivide pasture to ensure even distribution of manure over grazing areas. In this way, pastures are kept fresh, short and palatable which ultimately leads to increased milk and meat production.

Other key benefits of power fencing:

• Affordable
• Easily constructed and maintained
• Durable, because of low physical contact
• Light weight and easily transported
• Easily modified
• Less animal hide and pelt damage
• Deterrent to trespassers and predators

For convenient, economical animal control, improved pasture management and more profitable farming, a Gallagher Power Fence System is the trusted solution.

Please order online 24/7 or call VALLEY FARM SUPPLY at  717-786-0368

Small Acreage Pasture Management: Part II

One of the first considerations in any grazing system is stock water.  Its availability will dictate which pastures you can utilize.  Some grazing systems drag tanks from paddock to paddock, but a more permanent water point that incorporates cross-fencing or a common lane to water more than one paddock at a time is more convenient.  It lets you keep a closer eye on the water source and cuts down the time involved in managing it.  If you’re in a cold winter region, don’t forget to run electricity to the tank location.  We all have better things to do than chop ice all winter!

Next, you will need some type of fencing, unless you’re willing to herd your animals from plant to plant.  Electric fencing as the most cost-effective method of controlling the time your stock graze a given area.  Today there are many types of animal containment systems, and the choices can be daunting.  Any system worth its salt will have technical advice available for the potential user; maybe even on-the-ground help.  Don’t hesitate to ask for help with a grazing plan, watering plan, and fence design and placement.

There are fencing configurations that allow control of many species, including horses, cattle, sheep and goats.  Another factor that will influence the fence design is the presence of wildlife. A fence that must coexist with deer or elk may have a substantially different design that one that does not. Let’s look closer at some specific designs.

Perimeter Fencing

For the perimeter of the pasture, use permanent, multi-strand, high-tensile electric systems.  The number of wires will vary according to the livestock you wish to contain.  Horses and mature cattle can quite often get by with three wires, while small calves, sheep and goats may take five or six.

The best posts to use in areas with snow loads and wildlife has been proven to be solid fiberglass. There are no plastic insulators to break, and the flexibility of the post helps to overcome side loads.

There are two common mistakes that people tend to make when trying high-tensile fencing for the first time:

Posts too close!

Wires too tight!

Post spacings of around 50 feet are adequate because of the nature of high-tensile wire.  The wires should be tightened just to the point of removing most of the sag between posts (around 150 to 200 lbs. per wire). This accomplishes two things.  First, this design is flexible, allowing the fence to absorb wildlife pressure and snow loads without breaking.  Second, less materials are needed so the initial purchase cost and the labor required to install the electric fence is less than conventional fencing.

Interior Cross-fencing

A mixture of high-tensile permanent and portable polywires and tapes often prove to be the best choices for cross fences.  Try to create paddocks by placing several permanent cross-fences on obvious topographical changes, not forgetting to include stockwater inside the paddock, or access down a lane to the water. If you are grazing irrigated pasture, ditches can also be your water source. Two wires are usually adequate for mature cattle and larger calves, while three wires are a better choice for horses or cattle with smaller calves.

Use portable polywires and polytapes on handy reels for your internal fencing.  There are many portable post types to choose from.  Plastic treadins with multiple wire lugs to be the most adaptable.  They can be placed on 30-50 foot spacings, and the wires tightened by hand.  On irrigated pasture with horses and mature cattle, one charged wire may be sufficient, but when on dry soils or winter-grazing on frozen soil or dry snow, you may need to use several wires, alternating the polarity between hot – ground – hot, etc. By carrying the ground out to the animal via a wire, you remove poor grounding as a source of problems.

Try not to graze and rest each paddock the same number of days regardless of the growth stage of the forage.  Aim for the shortest grazing period per paddock needed to harvest the available forage, say one to four days, then a minimum 30 day rest period during fast plant growth.  As plant growth slows, then adjust to five to ten days grazing and 60 to 80 days of rest per paddock.  You can see why multiple paddocks are needed to reach these levels of rest, but by subdividing with portable electric fencing, it becomes achievable.

There are also a few things to consider that really help in maintenance and troubleshooting.  The first is how the fences are energized.  The heart of any electric fence system is the power source, or energizer.  A 110-volt plug-in energizer versus a battery or solar unit is generally the best choice.   More of your dollars can go to power and not batteries, solar panels, etc.

A battery unit is a great choice if you don’t have 110-volt power available.  Also, get specific recommendations as to the size of the energizer by matching it to the job at hand: How long is the perimeter fence? What type of animal are you controlling? Does the fence run through high vegetation? Will you add on to the system eventually? All these questions will help your supplier match an energizer to your needs.

Lastly, consider investing in a digital voltmeter designed to monitor your fences and energizer. They are handheld meters that measure the voltage output of the energizer, or at any point along the fenceline. They are invaluable in diagnosing any problems that may crop up.

I hope this gives you a bit of familiarity with what equipment and techniques are available to help in establishing your grazing plan.  There is definitely a bit of work and a learning curve involved, but seeing your critters hock-deep in lush grass while your neighbors are forking hay (and forking out dollars, too!) can be priceless!

Please order online 24/7 or callVALLEY FARM SUPPLYat  717-786-0368

When Is A Scale Not A Scale? When It’s An Ernie™ 700

Scott Reynolds, a DVM at the Broken Bow Animal Hospital in Broken Bow, Nebraska, handles most of the cattle within a 70-mile radius of this central Nebraska farm community.  It’s a big job helping care for 15,000 to 20,000 animals per year.

Along with the usual care supplied by DVM’s, he helps his clients collect data - everything from sex, age, and pregnancy, whatever is deemed important by the rancher – and it varies by the season.

Spring and fall are our busy seasons,” he said, “and the information a rancher needs to run his business changes with the season.”

“We started trying to collect the data from ear tags with wireless readers then tried those small handhelds.  We had lots of problems.  Battery life was terrible, some of the equipment wasn’t sturdy enough, and data entry on those little handhelds while wearing gloves was just about impossible.

Screen view and service were also problems with the equipment.  Breakdowns during the very busy calving season were unacceptable.

Last year, he tested the Gallagher ernie™ 700.  “I’d known about the company for 4 or 5 years and saw their equipment in the area,” he said.

Although its primary function is as a scale, Reynolds liked the fact that it was designed to capture other data.  “We could quickly reprogram it to record any kind of data our clients wanted,” said Reynolds. “It’s a very flexible piece of equipment and reprogramming it is simple.”

The scale is moved constantly from farm to farm and subjected to some times harsh treatment.  Although it’s rugged enough to withstand a lot of abuse, Reynolds was concerned at first about service if he experienced a problem.

I had some service problems with equipment from other companies, especially when I would get caught in one of those automated answering systems,” he said, “but what I liked about Gallagher was I could call them and talk to a real person right away.  I’ve been impressed with their service and responsiveness.”

We use ernie™ like a very durable lap top and it works.  With EID continuing to grow, it will become more important to us.”

Just a few of the ways an ernie can help you.

During A.I. season, an ernie can keep track of all your breeding details. When A.I. is complete, the information can be downloaded from your ernie to your computer to create one spreadsheet with all your A.I. Records

Calving Book

Make calving easier by using an ernie to set up the fields of information you want to collect.  Simply enter the data and download your calving records into your computer. Saves you hours of hand entering your records.

Preg Checking

An ernie can also help with preg checking. Set up the fields you want to collect and enter the data. After downloading to your computer, you have one easy to read spreadsheet with detailed information on each animal being monitored. 

Hay

Use an ernie to help track your hay crop cutting and quality by entering the data into customizable fields. You can then use that information to better track where the different cuttings and quality of feed are being used.

Crop Monitoring

An ernie can be used as a monitoring device for any field crop — corn, beans, peanuts, cotton, any crop — simply build the template for the information you want to collect and monitor.

Garden/Farmers Market

An ernie works great to collect and maintain planting, production and sales information on your personal garden or your Farmers Market garden.

Please order online 24/7 or callVALLEY FARM SUPPLYat  717-786-0368

Cattle Update: Small Acreage Pasture Management

“Do you know anyone that has extra pasture for lease? I’m a little short this year.”  

It’s a common question heard all the time about a common problem; especially during the last few years of drought out West.  Sometimes the answer may be a little closer to home than you may think.

Those of us who pasture livestock - whether one 4-H horse or hundreds of beef cattle - are in reality, grass farmers.  We raise and care for grass plants which are then harvested by our animals.  That grass plant’s health, and ultimately the soil’s water and mineral cycles, are directly related to the type and duration of grazing we allow.  Notice I say “we allow.”  If your critters are dictating how you let them graze, there is a better way!

Grasses have evolved over eons in a direct response to grazing.  In fact, grass needs grazing, fire, or some other type of removal to survive.  It is one of the few plants whose growth point is located in its base, and not the top.  Most other plants, shrubs and trees growth points are located at their top, and if you remove it, their growth pattern is severely altered.  They tend to stool out or even curtail growth entirely.  Not so with the grass plant.  It’s built to not only survive grazing, but thrive with it, if managed properly.

Let’s examine what happens to an individual grass plant when grazed.  This plant has one mission in its life, and that is to reproduce by going to seed.  Most grasses stop or radically slow their growth when they head out and produce seed.  But, as long as soil and moisture conditions are favorable, this plant will continue growing and attempting to produce that seed every time it is grazed.  The key is rest; the recovery period between grazings.  If the plant is grazed a second time too quickly, before the leaf area is large enough to support growth, it has to dip into its root reserves, and the plant’s health and production declines.  This is actually a good definition of overgrazing: Biting an individual grass plant a second time, before it has had adequate time to recover from the first bite.  Giving that plant a little time between bites will build root mass, leaf production, and boost plant vigor.  If you don’t, the results are dwindling roots, slower leaf growth, the inability to recover from grazing, and lots of bare soil.

Do you know any good examples of this scenario?  How about your lawn?  Is it thicker and fuller than your pasture?  I bet it is because you’re “harvesting” it by mowing it regularly all summer!  You can do the same with your pasture by changing from season-long grazing to “rotational” or “intensive” grazing.

The easiest way to subdivide your pasture into paddocks and begin rotational grazing is with modern electric fencing.  Portable electric polywire can let you match the speed of your rotation to the growth of the plant.  This is a critical step because grasses grow faster in the spring when soil moisture peaks, and then slower for the remainder of the hotter and drier summer season. 

It’s critical to rotate “fast during fast growth, slow during slow growth.”

Think about this for a minute. If the objective is to graze the plant once, then rest it adequately so growth can resume without dipping into its root reserves before it is bitten again, that’s a rule that stands to reason.  A plant that is actively growing will recover faster than one that is in the slower summer growth phase.  

During the winter, plants are not actively growing and grazing will not hurt root reserves because they’re dormant. Grazing can be beneficial as it removes old leaf matter and clears the way for a fresh start for the plant come spring.

So, what benefits will you realize from rotational grazing?

Tighter plant spacings.  

Improved soil fertility.  

New plants started by hoof action.  

Faster manure breakdown.  

Less fly and pest bother.  

Higher production (meat, milk, wool, etc.) per acre.  

Stockpiled grass for winter grazing – less hay expense!

Many people report the ability to graze their animals at twice the normal stocking rate per acre, or more.  You can get started with rotational grazing with an inexpensive electric fence from Gallagher. 

Please order online 24/7 or callVALLEY FARM SUPPLYat  717-786-0368