Tips & Tricks

Can Raccoons Climb Wire Fences?

by Judy Knowler May 16, 2023

Raccoons are among the least endangered animal species globally. According to data, there are about 5 to 10 million raccoons in North America, with the number rising.

Therefore, it is common to have a raccoon encounter within your property. These animals are known to be excellent climbers that may require property owners to reconsider their fencing and find ways to humanely prevent their access to the property.

Here’s what you need to know about raccoons, what makes them excellent climbers, and how to keep them at bay.

May 16, 2023

Fence Planning Tips & Tricks

How Often Do You Need to Replace Fence Posts?

by Judy Knowler April 17, 2023

Fences are built to last. Typically, a well-installed and maintained metal fence can last almost fifty years. Wooden fences, which are more susceptible to various elements such as weather, can still last an average of 15 years, most getting up to the 20-year mark.

However, various factors such as age, rust, or rot can lead your fence, especially the fence posts, to need replacement.

Fence posts are a key structural element of fences. Therefore, when you observe breakage, rot, or any other defect on your fence post, you should be ready to repair or replace it.

Here’s what you need to know about fence posts repair and replacement and how to know if it’s time to have your fence checked.

April 17, 2023

Fence Planning Tips & Tricks

Fence Liability: Escaped Animals

by Judy Knowler April 12, 2023

Fencing does more than just partition the farm. Good fencing is attributed to fewer livestock-vehicle accidents, which can be rampant on public roads crossing farmlands.

Most states implement laws that dictate fencing and the extent of the farmer’s liability in case their livestock gets loose and causes injury or property damage.

Generally, the farm owner is liable for all injuries and damages caused by their loose livestock unless they can prove that the fence was in good condition and there was no negligence on their part. In most states, it’s a statutory obligation for farmers to ensure their animals don’t escape their premises.

Here’s what you need to know about fence liability for escaped animals and the defense you can raise against a claim.

April 12, 2023

Fence Planning Tips & Tricks

New Fence Installation: Cost Breakdown

by Judy Knowler April 3, 2023

Installing a fence is a necessary expense. Fences help provide security, contain livestock on a farm, and partition various areas within your land. However, installing one can be a costly undertaking.

According to data, installing a fence can cost between $1000 to $10,000. Typically, most people part with $1600 to $4000. However, costs can quickly skyrocket depending on various factors such as material, size of the land, and ground condition.

Labor and material take up to 50% of the overall fence installation cost. The rest goes to other expenses such as permits, surveys, and gates and posts.

Therefore, you need a good guide to understand where you’ll be spending the most money and why you’ll be spending it. Here’s a cost breakdown of fence installation and the factors that can make your installation more or less pricey.

April 3, 2023

Tips & Tricks

How to Build a Coyote-Proof Fence

by Judy Knowler March 30, 2023

Coyotes and human beings have been clashing for generations. Besides hunting them for sport or fur, people have also often killed coyotes because of their predation on domestic animals. However, research shows that killing coyotes doesn’t make livestock safer.

What you need is a robust coyote-proof fence, which isn’t too complicated to build. The process can be as easy as adding a coyote roller or barbed wire to your existing fence or building one at least 8 feet tall.

Building one from scratch will only require a few simple steps. Here’s what you need to know about coyotes and how to build a sturdy, tall-enough fence to keep them at bay.

March 30, 2023

Tips & Tricks

Tending to Your Cows: What Does it Mean When They Moo?

by Judy Knowler February 14, 2023

Cows are herd animals with very complex social structures. They interact socially through various means, the most common being mooing.

A cow’s moo holds much information based on various scientific research. A cow’s moo may be a signal to find the calf or mother, find the herd, lure a mate, indicate they’re hungry, show contentment, raise the alarm in case of danger, or express pain.

Individual cows have distinct voices, making every moo unique. Research shows that these individualized calls make it possible for a cow to identify itself to its herd and, more importantly, a mother to her calf.

Cows can also use other means to communicate, such as grunting and wagging their tails. For this piece, let’s look deeper into cow moos, what they mean, and how you can respond to them, if necessary.

February 14, 2023

Tips & Tricks

How to Determine the Temperament of Your Horses

by Judy Knowler February 7, 2023

Getting another horse exactly like yours is going to be difficult. Just like humans have individual and distinctive characteristics and personalities, horses also exhibit unique traits with endearing habits and little quirks. Equine experts have extensively studied these traits since they were discovered.

Your horse’s temperament is a product of unique combinations. You can determine your horse’s personality based on training, upbringing, genetics, and living environment. A horse temperament scale will help you know where it places and how best to handle your horse.

Here’s all the essential information about horse temperament and how to determine where your horse lands.

February 7, 2023

Fence Planning Tips & Tricks

Best Fencing to Keep Wild Hogs Out

by Judy Knowler January 18, 2023

From east to west, the Southern United States is home to wild hogs that disrupt and destruct ranching operations. These invasive animals aren’t predators, but they are a nuisance. Hogs are opportunistic feeders. They travel in herds and exhibit destructive behaviors that can damage pasturelands, making it more difficult to sustain healthy livestock.

A farmer’s first line of defense against wild hogs is fencing. A good fence does a lot more than keep livestock contained–it also keeps unwanted animals out. What kind of fencing keeps wild hogs out?

January 18, 2023

Tips & Tricks

How to Mend a Barbed Wire Fence

by Judy Knowler November 21, 2022

Barbed wire is the iconic staple of farms and ranches across the US. While there are more fencing options available today, barbed wire is still common–especially for perimeter fencing and cattle ranching. If you work with livestock, you’ll likely encounter barbed wire from time to time.

Barbed wire fences require maintenance like any other fencing material. Splicing wire to mend a fence is almost always a better option than replacing an entire fence line. Let’s take a look at two methods you can use to mend a barbed wire fence.

November 21, 2022

Tips & Tricks

Electric Fence Safety Tips

by Judy Knowler November 7, 2022

Electrical injuries–and sometimes even death–are more common than you might think. An average of 30,000 electric shock injuries are reported in the US every year. While most of these injuries occur on the job when working with electricity, there is always a risk when electricity is involved.

Electric shock injuries do occur on the farm, especially around electric fencing equipment. These accidental injuries are also preventable. Let’s take a look at what to watch for and how to stay safe with electric fences.

November 7, 2022

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