Warding off predators from pastures

Oct 24, 2006 1:35 PM

By Bill Henning, Cornell University small farms specialist

On many farms – no matter the size – predators can be a major concern, especially as newborn calves start to arrive. Among the most common predators almost everywhere are coyotes, dogs and fox.

Coyotes tend to be nocturnal but can be out any time of day. They can crawl under, go through, and jump or climb many fences. While electric fence can be a strong deterrent, the coyote is adept at finding those dips in the ground that the fence doesn’t "hug."

Not all coyotes attack livestock, especially when there’s an abundance of other food. Since coyotes are territorial, if you have a well-fed, non livestock-killing coyote around your farm he just might be guarding your livestock by keeping other coyotes away.

Unlike coyotes, dogs kill pretty much for the fun of it. While coyotes seldom kill more than one to three animals, dogs often go after as many as they can until tired or otherwise deterred. Dogs usually attack without a method for a quick kill. Often they will tear at the flank of hindquarters but might end up with anything they can get their teeth into.

In identifying a coyote kill, it's also useful to consider droppings, hair and tracks. Coyote tracks tend to be longer and narrower than dog tracks.
Foxes seldom bother non-poultry livestock on pasture with the exception of newborn lambs.

Control of predators can be significantly improved with a well-constructed electric fence designed specifically for the livestock being pastured. This fence must be monitored and maintained for proper function. Weed load is perhaps the most common cause of electric-fence failure.

Guard animals can also provide an effective deterrent. These can include donkeys, lamas, trained dogs and cows.

Another option: when cattle and sheep are allowed to bond prior to pasturing, predation has been pretty much eliminated while grazing. This multi-species grazing can increase meat production per acre by as much as 30% with no damage to the pasture.

Proper carcass disposal, which includes burying, burning, rendering or composting, can also help control predation.

We need predators; a successful ecosystem depends upon a balance of all its aspects. Without the predators discussed here, others such as rats, opossums and weasels would dramatically increase. In turn, other imbalances would result, not to mention a proliferation of woodchuck or gopher holes.

Interestingly, something as simple as a diverse landscape can help reduce livestock damage from predators because it encourages an adequate food supply for all inhabitants. On occasion, a rogue predator will emerge and must be dealt with by the predator at the top of the food chain – man.

Bill Henning is a Cornell Cooperative Extension Service small farms specialist. He can be reached at 315-536-5123. For more info about opportunities for small farms, visit the Cornell Small Farms Program web site at: http://www.smallfarms.cornell.edu.

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