Paul,

Thanks for the idea. I bet that would help a lot.

My concern is that a portion of the plowing around the stalks would have to be up and down some fair hillsides. Might end up with a ditch/moat barrier by spring in these hills!

And for the record, I DO own a plow - a very nice International Model 642 Roll-Over type. Even I can plow reasonably well with this one. It had been owned by an experiment station for many years so it is in very good shape.

I think everyone should own a plow.

I use it maybe once every couple years on small areas but always on the contour. It reminds me of why I love strip till so much...

The second wire seems to have contained the calves. Deer season is upon us though. I tried using 1/2" tape for visibility but the high winds last week pretty much shot that idea. Back to 14 ga wire. Do you have a deer problem with your electric fence around stalks? Does the plowed strip reduce the deer breaking the wire? Thanks again.

Jim at Dawn