f UNIVERSITY PARK - Wildlife managers at Penn State have developed a practical and economical way to control crop damage from deer. Their method uses the Penn State 5-wire electric fence tested by farmers, foresters, orchard owners, and tree nursery operators. Design of the fepce is based, on deer behavior. Dder usually try to go under or through a fence instead of jumping it, says John lyGeorge, professor emeritus of wildlife management at Peon/rote. “Deer get a higSvoltage shock when they try to penetrate the 5- wire fence,” George said. “This changes their behavior and thereafter they generally avoid the fence.” George and associates William L. Palmer and Robert G. Wingard described their findings in a recent report from the College of Agriculture at Penn State. sea' e Model • Ml 243 Spreader w/Upper Beater, Front Box Extension, Single Axle, 250 Bu • Nl 243 Spreader w/Front Box Extension, Tandem, 250 Bu • Nl 244 Spreader w/Hyd. Endgate, Front Box Extension. 325 Bu., Tandem • Nl Model 325 Super Picker w/Model 327 Super Husking Unit • Nl Model 484 Round Baler • Nl 323 Picker w/Beater & Factory Tires • Nl 406 Hayrake w/Rubber Tires HUTTON FARM EQUIP. RD, MahaHey, PA Penn State’s 5-wire fence controls deer The Penn Statens found that wire spacing and shape or configuration of the 5-wire fence are important. The bottom wire should be kept about 10 inches from the ground with the other wires spaced at 12- inch intervals making the fence about 58 inches high. The design features high-tension wire, based on technology developed in Australia and New Zealand to control sheep, cattle, and horses. Components, configuration, and construction differ from other electric fences. The key materials are high-tension, smooth steel wire; special accessories to maintain 250 pounds wire tension, smooth steel wire; special ac cessories to maintain 250 pounds wire tension; and high voltage, low-impedance energizes. The design was selected by the Penn Staters after testing many dif ferent fencing systems for cost and We’re Dealing Straight From the Invoice Now, for a limited time, we’ll sell selected New Idea on our lot at the factory invoice price. Central Michigan Tractor & Parts 2713 N. US 27, St. Johns, Ml 48879 For a savings of 50% off dealers list on good used tractor & combine parts rificing profits now to lower our inventory cost during the winter months. ABOUT • Our low prices • Your trade in allowance • Investment tax credit • Re-Investing your PIK income See us now. Check the invoice and save on top quality New Idea equipment at our lowest possible price. 814 effectiveness. How well does it work? After losing 90 percent of his Christmas trees to deer following three plantings, a grower fenced his plot with the Penn State 5-wire. The deer did not penetrate the fence. Growers of high value crops were positive: “There is no question but that the 5-wire fence is cost effective. For tomato fields we did not fence, we lost one-third to one-hall of our crop but there were no losses on the fenced fields.” An orchardist who erected the fence commented, “Since fencing our orchard, potential fruit buds have not been disturbed on limbs within browsing range." Another orchard owner installed a long drift fence to modify deer movement 5,000 feet long. He concluded, “With a fence eight years earlier, we could have in creased our income by $40,000 Call The Professionals Toll Free: 1-800-248-9263 Michigan Res.: 1-600-292-9233 Invoice Price * 12,452 Complete ‘7561 NEW IDEA 277-5504 .*4512 *4510 . *6763 *5165 *2OlB Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 22,1903—025 while investing only $lO,OOO in production costs.” Penn State’s largest test area for the 5-wire electric fence is a 120 acre section of the Rock Springs Agricultural Research Center about 10 miles southwest of the campus. The superintendent of one area commented that “our research would be impossible without the deer fence.” Early deer fencing experiments at Rock Springs usually ended in failure the deer got through. This occurred despite the use of an expensive 5-foot woven wire fence. Deer penetrated the fence anywhere there was a slight irregularity in the land where 18 inches allowed deer to crawl through. Deep, well-worn deer trails led to these gaps. Owners of the Penn State S-wire fence emphasize the important of proper initial construction and good maintenance. Straight lines also help ease maintenance practices such as mowing or spraying to control weeds. “High tension wire fences must be built with strong corners to keep wires tight,” Dr. George com mented. “The null of five wires e Professional d-Size Saw for gned with the professional logger in mind. Excellent as a pulpwood or heavy-duty limbing saw Built to stand up in cold, icy conditions as well as hot, dry climates. A unique saw that features high power, low weight and the latest in human engineering. STOLTZFUS WOODWORK RO Gap. PA it 3 1 AW* North Rt #97 from G*p MARTIN HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT CO Rt 901 IV* IMe* South ot WALTER McVEY & SONS ST/HL THE WORLD’S LARGEST SELLING CHAIN SAW about 1,250 pounds, may catapult insecure posts not in line or low in spots.” Large variations exist in costs of labor and construction for the 5- wixe fence. Some growers erect the fence themselves, it was noted. Other landowners rely on con tractors. Costs are affected by site preparation, terrain, ease of driving posts, and skill in building fences. The Penn Staters give two examples ot complete costs for materials and labor. In 1960, a contractor erected 12,700 feel of fence around 120 acres, with numerous gates and irregularities, for $7,400. That's about 58 cents a linear foot, including energizer and gates. In 1982, a 5,000 foot fence with gates, energizer, and odd angles and bends was contracted for $4,750 about 95 cents per linear feet. And the U.S. Forest Service had a fence constructed for 60 cents per linear foot. “Thus, we feel that 60 cents to $l.OO per linear foot are reasonable estimates of costs, including materials and labor,” George stated. A & B SALES & SERVICE 2 MDct South oC KL 23 Almt 772 Thru Montwey ROI Ronks. PA WES STAUFFER SMALL ENGINES ROJEphriU. 7*fhomfn7)T3»-t2IS EphrtU Ex* Nn» Rt 222 <4 |Me Weston Rt J 22 T urn left onto PtetterAVaßey Rd RO2 New Providence PA 717 7*6-2462 GOOD'S STORE At the Country Mart RO2 Emt £*l *out*2J Juft Cast at Blue Ba* 717 354402* HERR'S REPAIR SHOP Ro2Boc US PjeiqrA PA 7J7*#3#*lS49
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers