Hello,

I wanted to raise mini cows on a modest size 20 acre ranch. How do modern farmers keep people from just walking onto your land and stealing your cows? Please let me know how I can prevent theft of livestock. Any ideas?

-- Ruthlynn (rmuhoberac@yahoo.com), July 17, 2001

Answers

Where do you live ? Have nevered worried about anyone stealing my cows ! They aren't that easy to catch and you cannot just pick them up .You are only on 20 a which is a small piece depending on how things are set up.Put the barn and patures behind the house should help .Do you really want to live somewhere you affraid of getting things stolen ?

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), July 17, 2001.

Unless your cattle are very friendly toward strangers, I wouldn't worry very much about it. Any approach by strangers on our place stampede my uncle's cattle pronto. Anytime you 'push' a cow at a rate it considers hurried, they let you know, bawling out a storm.

A cattle guard would probably defeat someone from leading your cattle off the property, if your cattle even allow a stranger to get that close to begin with. It is also a good backup should your gate somehow be left open.

Does your fenceline have a road access from the other side? Would planting thorny vegetation along the fenceline be possible on the opposite side of the fence? Geese, guinea hens, dogs possible?

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), July 17, 2001.

a few good farm dogs

-- somebody (something@somewhere.com), July 17, 2001.

Our little hores are only 20 lbs. at birth ,and mama's are pretty friendly,I've always wondered about that too,we have a huge dog and so far no problems.We bring them in or close to the house at night ,they are so tiny and vulnerable to coyotes too.

-- teri (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), July 17, 2001.

A large protective German Shepard is what we use here for that sort of thing, Shep is extremely effective as a deterrant against all sorts of trouble, both two legged and four legged! He knows his job quite well, you won't hear or see him till he is right up on you, growling and barking. 99% of folks don't leave their car till we show up to "save" them, the other 1% Shep knows and trusts to be OK.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), July 17, 2001.

A good farm dog and a 12 guage is typical security around here.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), July 17, 2001.

Just put a sign on fence, good size, that says, My bull can cross this field in 40 seconds flat, can you cross it in less, and still jump the fence, I saw this sign on a field, it kept the deer hunters out!!!!! I think a dog would work, Love Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), July 17, 2001.

Livestock theft is not a problem in our neighborhood.

-- Paul (hoyt@egyptian.net), July 17, 2001.