Page 23 - MWC 4-23-20s

The Power of One Wire The Midwest Cattleman · April 23, 2020 · P23

By Johnny Rogers
The tools to improve pro- tor their herd and provide
ductivity that farmers and for their welfare in a timely
ranchers have at their dis- manner. Furthermore, mov-
posal are quite astonishing. ing cattle more frequently
Computers that allow us will improve their disposi-
to analyze our operations, tion and make them easier
equipment used to plant/ to handle. Just moving them
harvest crops to produce one to two times weekly can
feed, and the genetic pre- make a big impact as they
dictions used to select bet- will learn you most often
ter livestock are just a few are there to give them better
examples of tools that have grass, and they become ac-
changed livestock produc- customed to being near you
tion. As managers we must and walking by you without
determine which tools to in- being afraid.
corporate into our farms and As cattle become familiar
some will prove to be useful with this new management
while others will be discard- style, they are also learn-
ed. ing to respect poly-wire and
So, what benefits does it becomes a powerful psy-
adaptive grazing manage- chological barrier. They are
ment using smaller pad- content to graze their for- can be used to sort off cattle can move them to a different
docks and more frequent age allowance knowing you without gathering the whole pasture for closer observa-
movement have on the sys- will return to give them new herd. Imagine sorting off a tion while the pairs remain
tem? We know that when grass soon. The respect for group of late calving bred relaxed. Furthermore, those
we only graze for a few days temporary electric fence also cows from a herd of cow- later born calves could have
and then rest the grass for a allows it to be used to con- calf pairs. Moving the en- significant scour risk if they
long period the grass stand struct short-term lanes for tire herd through the corral stay with the older calves.
is healthier and will produce cattle movement. On many could risk calf injury. With Also, if you have a cow with
more total forage. Further- occasions producers must cows that respect poly-wire
more, this approach alters move cattle across pastures and low stress handling you continued on page 33
the grazing behavior of the without grazing them and a
livestock making them less poly-wire lane will keep the
selective and improves the cattle going the right direc-
amount of grass consumed tion.
rather than wasted. These Cattle that are well
and other benefits are well trained can also be pres-
documented, and it is all sured and moved by the use
because of the effective use of poly-wire. If you are alone
of temporary electric fence. and need to get up a group
However, many producers or an individual animal, you
do not fully realize the nu- can hook the end of the po-
merous advantages of using ly-wire to the gate and use
this technology. the poly-wire to direct cattle
So, what are some of the where you want them to go.
benefits you can expect if You can literally “reel them
you adopt temporary fenc- in”! If you have help, two
ing? First, using temporary people holding a long section
electric fence gives you the of poly-wire between them
opportunity to observe your can easily move cattle where
livestock as they move to new you want them to go. This
grass. Cattle producers can can be helpful when moving
use this time to check body cattle from large pastures
condition, udder, feet and into lanes or holding pens.
leg soundness and fly popu- In some cases, with larger
lations. What about that cow herds, three or more people
that is moving slowly? You can spread out and carry
can clearly observe how she the same poly-wire to gently
walks and determine if she apply pressure to move cat-
needs treatment for foot rot tle in the desired direction
or needs to be added to the like a moving fence. It is
cull list due to age or some truly amazing to watch the
other unsoundness. Most cattle avoid the poly-wire
all of these items fall into and flinch when it touches
the Beef Quality Assurance them even though it has no
program and will allow pro- power on it!
ducers to effectively moni- In addition, this technique