Fencing is an essential component of livestock management, for the demarcation of boundaries, improved appearance and security.
On a farm, as the number of domesticated animals increase, farmers ought to ensure that herds or flocks are well kept and do not disturb neighboring farms.
Fencing as a good practice in livestock management
- In the past cattle, goats and sheep herding was regarded as the best way of controlling livestock, but nowadays paddocking though fencing is used to minimize constant contact with livestock.
- Fencing makes herding much easier as one camp can be used at a time and this further promotes successful growth of vegetation in the rangeland.
- Animals can be easily rounded, as a farmer knows exactly where the herd was left, unlike having to look for animals that got lost from the herd.
- Effective for disease control, as immediate isolation of sick animals in a herd can be easily done.
- Breeding herds can be isolated from none breeding stock, especially among stud breeders, in order to avoid inbreeding of closely related animals.
Demarcation of boundaries
- Reduces strife between neighbors and families residing in the same area, as one knows the borders of their farm. In simple terms a farmer may chop down trees within a specified area without trespassing on other people’s territory.
Improve appearance
- Uniformity of portions of land owned reduces tension among people in an area, which also entails equal grazing or farming land.
Enforce security
- Fencing protects one’s property from damage by both humans and animals. The owner and family have access to that area.
- Fencing restricts access to one’s territory by domestic animals such as cattle, sheep or goats that can graze on cultivated fields.
- It also ensures the safety of animals, which are less prone to be stolen and less exposed to wildlife animals.
Types of fencing in livestock farms
Wire fences
- Simple wire that is woven in different sizes is ideal for sheep, goats, pigs and chickens.
- It is cost-effective.
- Barbed wire fences are sometimes used to demarcate paddocks on a farm and may be dangerous to animals, as they can get injured when in contact with it and if inappropriately handled can rip of clothes and injuries on farm employees as well.
Wood fences
- Traditionally used type of fencing.
- Very cheap and easy to set up but not durable for a longer period of time.
- Can be used with simple wire during setup.
Hedges
- Live fence and is very cheap and appears lovely when neatly cut.
- Arduous to plant in a large area.
- Hedges encourage successive growth of weeds and may attract vermin.
No-fence control technologies
- Commonly referred to as No-fence because a farmer does not need to fence off the paddocks because the animals can be remotely tracked.
- Stealthy being introduced around the world, these systems make use of an application (APP) and a GPS device usually in the form of a collar or a tag to be placed on the animal. The GPS will locate the animal directly on the farmer’s smartphone or computer.
- Despite the cost involved it is quite efficient and a good investment for commercial farmers.
In conclusion, fencing on a farm is vital for the farmers’ property and helps keeping the animals in a controlled area. Therefore, any of the above described means of fencing can be used to ensure security.
References
Farm structures ... - Ch13 External facilities: Vehicle access to farmsteads-Fencing-Types of fences-Fencing accessories
6 Options For Farm Fences
https://www.jstor.org/stable/212356?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
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