Mid-Summer Thoughts

Jaycee Norris, Summer Field Technician UCCE Modoc

Halfway through summer, and I have been to the west, east, and everywhere in between in Modoc County. Between virtual fencing (cows and guardian dogs) and vacant allotments and meadow monitoring. Here is what I have been up to and initial thoughts! 

The West

On the Devil’s Garden, I have been monitoring cattle utilization using virtual fences. The purpose of using the virtual fencing is to help distribute cattle. This helps cattle stay in areas they would not otherwise stay in unless forced to, utilizing less desirable forage and the broader landscape. In smaller areas with a perimeter fence, grazing more undesirable forage helps reduce fire risk. I have noticed that over the first half of summer, animal welfare is goal number one. Matching the nutrient demand to the forage quality is very important. Also, ensuring where the water is and how much is available. Virtual fencing is a great tool for producers who want to use more of the forage available on large allotments. Not all the cows stay in, but not all get out either (same as a cow jumping or breaking through a barbed-wire fence). At the end of the day, older cows know where the good stuff is, and cows on the range for the first time do not know any better. My initial thoughts are that virtual fencing might not be for everyone. It is an intensive management tool; nothing is perfect, but if it fits the program, the land, and the cows, then it's great! 

The East

In Surprise Valley, I have been checking on guardian dogs with virtual fencing collars that stay with a sheep herd. The purpose of the study is to review animal welfare and applications for a virtual fencing product that is currently only certified for livestock. The collars encourage the dogs to stay with the sheep and move with them when they need to be moved. I go see if they are uncomfortable with the collars and how they are reacting to them. One guardian dog got shocked after chasing a coyote off the property, and then the dog didn’t leave the sheep for a week. Another dog got shocked and hasn’t left the house. None of the dogs have tried to leave the property since being shocked once, and none of them seem scared or show any discomfort. I think that there would be very different results if the guardian dogs were on the range away from home, but otherwise, I think it works very well. 

… and everything in between 

While bouncing around everywhere, I have also been able to go to the Warner Mountain Meadows to monitor how well they are doing. I even had the opportunity to visit the Tahoe National Forest and complete the Weixelmen training to learn how to assess the meadows. It was very interesting to go and look at the meadows and talk about ways to improve them while still allowing cattle to use them. I also got to go and look at vacant allotments on the Modoc National Forest. I found it interesting to look at the different types of forages and how much of each was available. I also got to discuss the limitations of water and the other species around. 

This summer has been busy, but I have had a lot of fun doing everything I have been able to. I hope to get to do even more for the rest of the summer!