To impart the necessary, up-to-date know-how, the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, as a livestock protection competence center in cooperation with the EU LIFE project LIFEstockProtect and the Austrian Center for Bear, Wolf, Lynx (also a partner in the LIFEstockProtect project), will be holding an information day on the topic of livestock protection on April 29, 2023, starting at 9:00 a.m.
The program starts with expert presentations and then offers a practical part where visitors can observe the habituation of livestock guardian dogs to a flock of sheep and try their hand at setting up a livestock protection fence.
Fences:
In our experience, fences on pastures are usually associated solely with herding security: fences should be "escape-proof." For livestock protection, however, an additional task comes into play: fences must be as "burglar-proof" as possible, offering protection against intruders. Corresponding to these different requirements, there are a wide variety of fence types and fencing systems.
Modern fences are electrified, providing a constant and continuous supply of at least 3,500 volts. The material used depends on the location, duration of use, and possibly also on the type of animal being contained. Permanent fences can be erected with wooden posts or iron posts (T-posts). These include sufficiently thick steel wires, usually aluminum-galvanized. Ceramic or plastic insulators, tension rollers, and springs for voltage equalization result in a durable fence. Mobile fencing systems can be constructed from strands of various materials attached to posts. For example, four strands of wire are pre-attached to a support post, or various electric netting systems are used.
Visitors can learn everything they need to know, including tips and tricks on building, grounding, and maintaining electric fences, at the Livestock Protection Action Day.
Dogs as Helpers:
There are three types of working dogs in agriculture, each with specific tasks that must be clearly distinguished: herding dogs, driving dogs, and livestock guardian dogs.
Herding dogs obey the shepherd's commands and keep the grazing animals together, while livestock guardian dogs protect the animals independently, especially from large predators. Livestock guardian dogs alert to attackers and, if necessary, drive them away, but always remain with their flock.
When a dog arrives at a new farm, it initially loses its familiar surroundings and caregivers. The major challenge is enabling the dog to build a trusting relationship with the new environment, which is to become its home, with the people and livestock. Acclimating a dog to the farm is the responsibility of the owner. On Livestock Guardian Day, visitors can witness the beginning of the acclimatization phase. An experienced shepherd will share his insights, and visitors can ask the shepherd questions directly about the dogs and their care.
