Read the directions!

So, we’ve had a *fun* month that nearly included an early trip to processing for our big steer. He decided he didn’t care about the electric fence anymore and was getting out several times a day and damaging the fence in the process. Very stressful, especially since we live near a busy road.

Then we revisited the directions. Did you know that improper grounding is one of the leading causes (one fence manufacturer site said 90% of the problems) of electric fence failure? At least we aren’t the only ones.

It doesn’t look impressive, but that is the last four inches or so (down in the grass, with the wire clamp on top) of a six foot grounding rod, the first of three, installed last Monday. Yes, the fence works better now, and T-Bone will have two more months to be happy in the deep grass of the newly fenced pasture #4 and #5 before he goes to the butcher.

And I hope to stop seeing the sledgehammer every time I close my eyes sometime soon.

Also, the cow has gone to be bred. If all goes well, we will have a new calf in the spring.

It hasn’t been a glamorous, “isn’t farming great!” kind of month, but it was good. Which is pretty good, considering the amount of sweat involved.