What is electric fencing for farmers?
Electric fencing for farmers is a service offered to farmers to offer them protection in their properties. It involves the use of fencing an area or a compound using electricity conducting material for example an aluminum wire and fixing one end of it to live electricity of ranging voltages. These voltages vary according to where the fence will be placed and what it will be barricading.
How is electric fencing beneficial to farmers?
On farms which rear animals with a roaming tendency, installation of electric fences is very helpful Fence Fast of Canada . These animals include: sheep, pigs, goats and cattle. The fence will shock the animal if it rubs against it hence enforcing boundaries in the farm.
Fencing using electricity also offers protection to farmers’ livestock and crops. Wild predators are kept at bay by an electric fence as they find the shock to their bodies irritating. Some smaller predators are even zapped to death by some stronger electric fences for example ones designed to keep off elephants.
They provide protection against human predators and bad motive people. Electric fences are installed at the top of brick walls. This helps control humans who tend to break into other people property and damage or steal things. The electric current running through the wires keeps them away thus ensuring safety to the farmer.
Fencing permanently using electricity is common in areas of agriculture as it is cheaper to construct and takes less time. Since the wire does not necessarily need to restrain the animals physically, the fence uses only poles and plain electricity wire.
It is used often in horse rearing as it injures the horses less. Compared to barbed wire, electric fences offer the horse farmer fewer animal injuries like feet being caught up, eyes being poked or even scratches on the animal.
How do you maintain an electric fence?
Insulator terminals should be inspected and replaced regularly.one should always check for cracking and fading caused by the sun.
Rods and ground wires should be inspected and checked for corrosion. Rust reduces the conductivity and once spotted; the wires or rods should be replaced.
Regularly inspect fence lines and ensure the vegetation is cut and trimmed so as it cannot reach the conductors.
Use wires specified for electric fencing.
How do you conserve energy while using electric fencing?
Operating a simple ten-watt controller of an electric fence costs about one dollar every month. If the system experiences faults or is constantly loaded, the cost will definitely increase. You can conserve energy by various means such as: keeping all vegetation a safe distance from your fence, in areas of snowy climates, keep your bottom most wire a good enough distance above the snow line and in order to avoid electrolysis, avoid mixing electrical conductors that are galvanized with metals such as copper.
Ways to ensure safety when using electric fencing
Unplug the plug to the controller and lock it out anytime you or a technician is doing repairs to your electric fence.
Ensure tension to the wires is applied in accordance with the fence manufacturers specifications.
Do not repurpose barbed wire to be used as an electric fence. People or animals might be caught in the wires and entangled hence receiving continuous shock to their bodies.
In case of thunderstorms or other forms of heavy rain, avoid working on an electric fence or even around one. Never work on or around electric fence when thunderstorms are in the area.
In conclusion:
Electric fencing is affordable, safe and low maintenance as little damage is done to it. It is a method of fencing highly recommended to farmers of crops and even animals. Electric fencing is also a good security solution in private property protection.