An Obvious Sign

We have had an abundance of moisture since the beginning of the water year that started on October 1, the farm is showing the excess in and around every unsheltered area with mud oozing around ditches and structures. Trails are muddy trenches, half of the nursery field is under water from the lake forming in the middle and every step from the cows tears holes in the grass.

When I saw cow #68 standing alone in the small barn yard fence that is about the only area around that has green grass that has not been churned up to a muddy mess, I knew that there must be an issue with the solar power electric fence that keeps the main herd out of this area. Sure enough when I grabbed ahold of the fencing, there was no power surge in it at all. Cow #68 realized our two thin electrical lines were dead and pushed her way right through to the green grass that had just been exposed from receding snow that had it covered for the last weeks.

Checking the fence controller we found that the battery had gone belly up and the fence was indeed dead. The next trip into the farm store will be in a few days and a new one will have to be purchased. We figure that the green grass on the other side of the fence had #68 testing to see the power of the fence and finding it lacking has been stepping inside for the lush growth. Luckily for us, #68 has been the only trespasser so far but if repairs are done soon, the whole herd may join her in her escapes.

She has been breaking into the area just before each feeding time for the last three days. Each time we fill the outdoor feeders first then set the wires down so she can calmly walk out the pasture and to the awaiting mangers full of breakfast or dinner with the rest of the herd.