The Grass Is Always Greener

This spring we found truth in the old adage that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.  At least that’s what 16 heifers thought when they ducked under a fence and never came back.

Ron tightens the cable from which the PVC tubes are suspended

The “escape route” involved a section of fencing that crosses our creek.  The cows simply got down in the creek bed and walked to freedom.  Other herds have done the same over the years, but always managed to show up back at the barn for their 5 p.m. feeding.

What makes finding a fix challenging is that during major rain storms, the creek becomes a raging river which can wipe out even the strongest fencing.  We needed a solution that could survive a “gully washer” but still present enough of deterent to a 1,200 pound cow.

Ingenious solution or Ron's folly?

As you can see Ron’s solution involves hanging sections of 3″ PVC pipe like wind chimes from a cable.  The idea is during a flash flood, the tubes flip up and allow the water (and debris) to pass under.  During normal weather, they provide both a visual and somewhat of a physical barrier to the cows.

So far the “solution” is untested.  We hope to get our cows back this fall.   Stay tuned!

Hard to find good help these days