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Using electric fences to protect stored hay from elk and deer

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Alberta landholders in the natural range of elk have occasionally suffered substantial losses of stored hay during winter. Depredation of hay and greenfeed bales by elk is worst when snowfall... More ≫

Description

Alberta landholders in the natural range of elk have occasionally suffered substantial losses of stored hay during winter. Depredation of hay and greenfeed bales by elk is worst when snowfall occurs early and the snow is deep. Fencing hay yards with 2.1 m high mesh wire has been an effective, but expensive, way to keep elk away from stored hay. A more economical way to prevent elk and deer damage employing electrified fencing is being used by farmers in British Columbia. To test the effectiveness of this kind of fencing in Alberta, an electric fence was built around a one acre hay yard near Niton Junction. Elk had been responsible for serious hay depredation at the farm in the previous winter. Elk were unable to penetrate the electric fence. Not only was the fence effective, but the electric fence cost much less to build than a comparable fence using barrier mesh. The material cost for building an electric fence is about half the cost of a mesh fence.

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What are my fencing obligations?

Description

This one-page fact sheet explains the legislation relating to fences on farmland in Alberta.

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