From droughts to deluge; water levels in sloughs across Western Canada have been more volatile in recent years, say Environment Canada climatologists.
The extremes in conditions have sent cattle producers wading up to their waists in mud and water to build, rebuild and replace fences more often than in the past.
Posts fall over, rot, pop out, eject staples, pull down wires that are prone to rusting and generally provide a handy spot for cattle to get through.
Kevin Schlosser’s family made a business out of solving the riddle: What is an easy to setup, low-cost way of fencing sloughs that could adapt to any water level without causing the installer to change from cowboy to rubber boots?
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The Punnichy, Sask., farm family began working on the idea 10 months ago and will begin shipping its first product this winter.
Slough Sticks had their patent application in last fall by the Schlosser’s new company, Jaddak Creations Inc. Urethane foam, a metal socket and fiberglass rods form the basis of the design.
Strung together with barbed or electric fence wire, the floating posts are designed to keep the wire suspended above the water.
Creating a version that didn’t flip over or drift away in wind was the hardest part, said Schlosser.
Foam floats are covered in an environmentally neutral plastic housing.
“Sort of a plastic pizza shape, 20 inches around and a couple high,” he said.
To avoid mud, the floating fences are installed in winter when the slough is frozen.
In the spring they float in place or stand on mud if water recedes.
The former Punnichy town hall and community theatre building has been converted into the new Jaddak Creations manufacturing plant.
Schlosser has had interest in his Slough Sticks from some ranchers, but says conservation groups and government organizations have approached him as well.
The family expects to begin producing completed inventory at their Punnichy operation this week.
