Rotating the Approach

Jamie Vandenburg, Co-owner of J Bar Farm in Alberta, Canada, sits down with us to look at his journey towards an easier, more efficient fencing solution…

Jamie comments: “We actively did very little fencing on the farm, because we know how long it takes, and we could just about make do with what we had already. Rappa flipped this on its head.”

The Need

Having bought J Bar Farm in 2009, Jamie and Barbara Vandenburg established a small ranch, housing 150 stockers and 50 beef cows. The livestock are fed via swath grazing, allowing them to graze through the winter months.

With no external help, and so much to do, fencing was never a high priority, with Jamie and Barbara simply making do with what they already had in place. However, they wanted to change and establish an approach that allowed for better field rotation and improved quality and volume of grass.   

The Solution

After turning to YouTube for help, Jamie spotted the Rappa Winder, which can be mounted on an ATV or Side-by-Side, and was immediately impressed, seeing the benefits it could bring to J Bar Farm. 

“Any product that can save us time on the farm, and release some of the pressure that can build up, is always worth noting. As soon as I saw the Rappa Winder, and found out that it can run up to six lines at once, I knew it would make a big difference to us.

“Its speed and ease of use would allow us to use the farm in a slightly different way, giving us access to previously underused areas, and cut the fields into smaller sections.”

The Results

Jamie and Barbara have seen an instant impact since the Winder arrived on site. They have been able to quickly fence off parts of the farm, earmarking it for growth, whilst also rotating the cattle more effectively. This means the livestock haven’t over-grazed in certain areas, and the grass they do have access to is better quality.  

“One of our major focuses was simply getting more grass. We know cattle aren’t choosy about where they eat, but we also know the benefits that come from an improved diet and greater nutrition. The Winder facilitated this and allowed us to be more strategic in how and where we move our animals.

“We are now able to prevent over-grazing and move them to the best available grass. This creates healthier and stronger animals, which is fantastic for them, and our bottom line.”

Jamie was particularly clear in his praise for the corner posts Rappa supplies with its Winder, describing them as solid, secure and incredibly quick to put out, transforming his approach to fencing.

“Having such a clever system is so handy. Fencing isn’t something to ignore anymore, it is something that we can utilize and benefit from. We spend so little time fencing because of the Winder, yet we reap the rewards. It is fantastic.”