More Than Just Stream Exclusion
Stream Exclusion fencing with various minimum setback distances is a Best Management Practice (BMP) meant to keep livestock out of stream for the purpose of animal health and water quality improvement. This practice often incorporates a suite of practices including fence installation, strategically placed alternative watering sources, stream buffer creation, and division fencing for an enhanced grazing system.
Benefits
Stream Exclusion Fencing Improves Herd Health and Livestock Safety
The microorganisms that cause foot rot, red nose, bovine virus, diarrhea, tuberculosis, jaundice, and environmental mastitis are all commonly present in streams. Fencing livestock out of streams and providing a clean drinking water source reduces contact with these risks. Excluding cattle from streams can also prevent leg injuries that occur when animals are walking up or down muddy and steep stream banks.
Stream Exclusion Fencing Provides a Clean Source of Drinking Water
When cattle have access to clean water, their water and feed consumption increases, leading to healthier more productive cattle. When given the choice between clean water and streams, cattle prefer to drink water from the cleanest sources. Multiple studies have found increases in cattle weight gain ranging from 9-23% when changing from pond water to water troughs.
Stream Exclusion Fencing Provides a Clean Source of Drinking Water
When cattle have access to clean water, their water and feed consumption increases, leading to healthier more productive cattle. When given the choice between clean water and streams, cattle prefer to drink water from the cleanest sources. Multiple studies have found increases in cattle weight gain ranging from 9-23% when changing from pond water to water troughs.
Stream Exclusion Fencing Increase Pasture Productivity and Carrying Capacity
Strategically placing waterers and rotational grazing can be beneficial to forage utilization and nutrient distribution. Farmers can increase carrying capacity by rotating cattle which increases efficient forage utilization.
Stream Exclusion Fencing Improves Water Quality and Streambank Stabilization
Keeping livestock out of streams reduces animal waste from entering our streams and rivers. In addition, keeping cattle off stream banks allows for stream bank stabilization and the establishment of plants. Those plants act as a filter for run off from farm operations into the stream as well as holding stream banks in place during high water events.
Stream Exclusion Fencing Improves Water Quality and Streambank Stabilization
Keeping livestock out of streams reduces animal waste from entering our streams and rivers. In addition, keeping cattle off stream banks allows for stream bank stabilization and the establishment of plants. Those plants act as a filter for run off from farm operations into the stream as well as holding stream banks in place during high water events.
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