Step 1

Call your farm electrician

Have your electrician do a comprehensive evaluation of the electrical system on your farm to make sure everything is properly connected and up to code. Fix anything that is not functioning properly or not to code. Don't be afraid to ask them about their experience with stray voltage.

Keep track of everything

It is important to gather and preserve ALL your farm records for use as evidence in the event any of it is needed to make a claim for compensation. Although this is rarely a path anyone would choose to take, it is occasionally necessary. Plus, all of the records you should keep for this, are records that any farm should have to properly monitor trends and make the best decisions. This includes all records related to milk production (DHIA and digitally stored data), sales of milk and livestock, calvings, rations, feed samples, veterinary medicine and management protocols, vaccinations, breedings, electrical repairs and improvements, maintenance and supplies, bank records and tax returns. It is very important to know your cow, calf, heifer, steer or other animal counts over time, so keep and retain all records with that information. It is also important to record how many cows are being milked and how many are dry.

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Step 2

Call your utility to check for primary side problems

Before the utility comes to your farm, drive the line from your farm all the way back to the substation and photograph the entire system, noting any problems such as corroded or sagging lines and disconnected wires. These should be brought to the attention of the utility and fixed. Ask the utility to test your farm for stray voltage. Videotape the entire process, what meter is used, where they set-up their cow contact and how they determine that location. Ask for a full report on their findings and recommendations. Keep records of all interactions with the utility company including personal notes about conversations. If the first tests aren't satisfactory, ask for more testing. Some utility companies will be very responsive and work with you to fix the problem. Some utilities will refuse to help and tell you that you do not have a stray voltage problem that meets their "level of concern". If that happens and your problem persists, go to the next step. Keep in mind some "fixes", including installing a blocker, do not solve the problems, so if your cows continue to tell you there is still something wrong, go to step 3.

Step 3

Hire an independent electrical consultant with good references

If the utility company tells you that you don't have a problem with stray voltage, yet the cows tell you that you do, find a reputable independent electrical contractor who specializes in stray voltage. There are many in the US, but some do not have the ability to help resolve the issues fully. Ask for references of farms they have worked with and call them to see if the issues were fully resolved. You should also hire an independent electrical consultant if you may wish to seek compensation for your losses. You may also want to seek legal advice at this point.

Seeking Legal Advice

If your pleas for help are ignored or are otherwise left unsatisfied with your utility and cannot reach resolution, your best option is to seek legal advice. There are attorneys who specialize in helping farmers with commercial losses caused by utilities and others.