Elk Calf Shelter on Pasture

Dr. Lyle Renecker, wildlife biologist and Elk farmer, spoke in March at the Ontario Deer and Elk Farmer's Association convention. His topic was nutrition and grazing. He explained how the elk take advantage of one of his pasture management practices. Dr. Renecker divides a field using electric tape fencing, using one side for the calving area. The rest of the pasture beside the calving area has the added benefit of supplying a hiding place and shade for young calves lying in the long grass. Cows are introduced to electric tape prior to calving. The first tape is 61 cm (24 inches) off the ground and the second tape is at the top of the 1.5 meter(5 foot) post. Once the first calves are born and all the cows respect the fence, the first tape is raised to 76.2 cm (30 inches) above the ground. Reneckers keep the grass cut under the fence line. On the ungrazed side of the fence the grass grows from 30.5 cm to 61 cm (12 to 24 inches) tall and even taller where the orchard grass is heading out. The calves go under the tape and into the ungrazed pasture about 3 to 7.6 meters (10 to 25 feet) to bed. Dr. Renecker said the calves would only choose to bed there if the cows completed a sucking interaction bout near the electric tape. The cow chooses for the calf to bed in the longer, denser grass in order to provide greater safety for the calf.

Dr. Renecker recommends using a steel T bar post every second or third post to help maintain the integrity of the fence since the wide tape catches more wind. The steel posts do not have to be driven very deep into the ground.

At the convention a red deer farmer related that when his animals received their first "zap" from the fence they would charge over the fence if he were standing behind them. He said, "they would look back and see me then go the other way. It's best to stand on the long grass side of the fence when animals are first introduced to the electric fence." Reneckers have not had a problem with their elk behaving this way. The audience asked if having the first tape as high as 76.2 cm (30 inches) would make "creepers" out of the animals when they grew older? Reneckers first tape height corresponds to the height of their creep feeder cage. They have not had a problem with creeping elk.

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