Sheep Collar Texts Shepherds When Wolves Attack

So, here is how technology could help reduce predations.
I do think that this could be a tool in the toolbox of measures to help in preventing predations.
However, this text message won't stop predations in itself, but combined with repellants, guarddogs, fencing and other forms management,
could be very useful.

Sheep Collar Texts Shepherds When Wolves Attack 

Image by:Tambako the Jaguar/Flickr

By Liat Clark, Wired UK

Swiss biologists are testing a sheep collar wolf-warning device that registers heart rate changes and alerts shepherds to attacks via text message, while simultaneously emitting a repellant.

The envisioned collar is in its preliminary phase, and the heart monitor faculty was recently trialled for the first time outdoors near Les Diablerets ski resort. The team, which includes biologist Jean-Marc Landry, fit the collars of 12 sheep with heart rate monitors (similar to the devices used by runners) before releasing them into an enclosure with two muzzled Czechoslovakian wolf dogs. The predators circled the sheep before attempting an attack. Readings from the collar monitors later showed a significant spike in the heart rate of the sheep, from a standard 60 to 80 beats per minute to 225 when the wolf dogs launched their attack. 

The team plans on testing the second phase of the collar in autumn 2012. This will include a built-in wolf-repelling device — either a spray or a sound repellant — that will activate when a sheep’s heart rate reaches a certain level. At the same time, the collar will automatically send a text message to the shepherd, alerting the sheep’s keeper to the attack. Though details of the repellant have not yet been released, the fact that Landry is also the author of a paper entitled Non-lethal techniques for reducing depredation suggests the system will not be a deadly one.

 The final prototype is due to be tested in Switzerland and neighboring France in 2013, and Norway has also shown interest in the device.

 The system is seen as a replacement for sheepdogs for those small herd owners that cannot afford the guards. Nervous shepherds in Switzerland will be happy to hear the news, following a rare 27 July wolf attack, which killed two sheep in St Gall. In France, after nearly a century of wolf-free pastures, the endangered species protection covering the grey wolf led to a spate of sheep attacks in 2011 after its population began to flourish.

 Source: Wired.co.uk

Round and Round

We are still haying.
It seems never ending.
Today I cut 93.6kms of hay in 8hours time.
Yesterday, I raked 80 acres (36ha) of heavy swaths.
The day before yesterday, I baled and raked for 6 hours.

Tomorrow, I will bale another 80 bales,
then move the rake to the field I cut today.
I will end the day by cutting some more.

This field is endless, I think I have just cut one third.
We still have, after this big one) at least another two big ones to go.

I do have company; a raven family follows me around looking for mice and worms in my newly mowed swaths.
A big mule deer buck was also rather interested in what I was doing.

During all these rounds, I do ponder on the meaning of life…
Do I really want to spend all my summers sitting on a tractor?

The solution, to my above mentioned rhetorical question,  came to me during round 38:

Job Opportunity:

Which young, slightly mechanically minded tractor lover would like to spend their 2013 summer ( July to September) on a sheep and cattle ranch in northern Alberta? We offer free board and lodging, good home cooked meals, plenty of smiles and some time offJ. We need help with haying. You will need to be content with being alone most of the time, must love remote areas, enjoy lots of wildlife and must be able to deal with some mechanical breakdowns without it stressing you out.
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, PLEASE, contact me.
   Signed:  Desperate in the Hay Field.

Internet problems and rodeo in HIgh Prairie

My main excuse for not blogging much is that we have had lots of Internet problems these last few weeks.
Apparently something is wrong with the satellite.

They said they would come and fix it....

but who knows how long that will take.

So, when we do have service I do try and post something, but most of the time it kind of flashes on and off.

The other activity that has kept me busy is the High Prairie Rodeo.

Our kids ride in the grand entry and closing ceremony.
They have been training for months.
Twice a week for hours at a time.

18 young people do a drill team pattern with the sponsors flags.

On rodeo day, they horses are all bathed and shined up,

they have ribbons in their hair (manes and tails)

and glittery stars on their butts.

The kids are shined up as well!

The rodeo starts with a parade through town.

All the companies prepare a parade vehicle,
as well as clubs, churches, the local bands, horse clubs

in fact just about everyone participates.

The kids ride in the parade with the sponsors flags.

And, then its rodeo time.

Roy was a touch nervous, so I gave him a quick pep talk.

It went like this:

"Roy, you have done great up to now, have fun and enjoy yourself.

Oh, whatever you do, don;t drop the sponsors flag and please don't fall off"

And, then this is what happened...

Yep, the kid on the grey horse flying through the air is Roy!

Luckily, he was quickly brushed off and was back in the saddle in no time.

This year Jess ran in the local barrel racing event.
I did not give her a pep talk, but did say

"whatever you do DON'T fall off".

She took my advice to heart and stayed on.

Other than that it was a good two days.
All the normal rodeo events came by.

The bucking horses:

The bulls were very tough,

and many cowboys ended up with mud on their face,

bruises and a few with some new bragging rights scars.

Our rodeo runs pony chuckwagons:

 And, we also have rodeo royalty.

The pretty blond girl on the left is Samantha, one of Jess's best friends.
She is now the new Miss High Prairie Rodeo Queen!
Unfortunately, Miss Rodeo Canada was unable to attend our rodeo due to a fall off her horse..

Jess, has queen ambitions and plans to participate in either next year or the following years Queen competition.

And, then it was time to clean up, pack away and head back to our daily lives.

Haying and sheep work calls.