Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 10, Number 46, DeMotte, Jasper County, 3 October 1940 — Cattle Shock Easily In Rainy Weather [ARTICLE]

Cattle Shock Easily In Rainy Weather

Turn electric fence controllers A to the least possible charge during periods of wet weather to save “Old Bossy” the shock of her life, John F. Nicholas, professor of agricultural engineering at the Pennsylvania State college, urges farmers. Trained animals are not likely to touch- the wires anyway, he commented, but in case they do, they need not be frightened unnecessarily. Electric fencing is cheap and convenient but hardly satisfactory for use as line fence or along highways, he has found. It is handy when a temporary pasture is needed during the rush season of farm work, particularly for dairy cows. A “breachy” cow may need a neck chain with a dangling p ece to keep her in the pasture but such animals quickly learn to avoid charged wires. A single strand usually is sufficient. although two may be necessary for sheep. Home-made controllers are dangerous, Nicholas emphasized, and for the sake of safety, bat-tery-type controllers are best.