How an Autistic Woman's Brilliant Mind Revolutionized Cattle Handling (and Why It Matters)

Have you ever wondered why curved chutes work better than straight ones in livestock handling? Temple Grandin figured this out decades ago. This remarkable woman, who didn't speak until she was three and a half years old, went on to revolutionize how we handle livestock across America.

The Insight Behind Curved Chutes

Grandin discovered that cattle move more willingly through curved pathways because it plays to their natural circling behavior. When cattle can't see what's at the end of a chute, they're less likely to balk or get spooked. This simple yet profound insight has transformed livestock handling facilities nationwide.

The Impact of Temple Grandin's Discoveries

What's truly amazing is that these same principles are being used in some of the most efficient livestock facilities across the country today. But it wasn't just the layout of the fencing that made Grandin's designs superior; it was also the type of fencing used.

The right fencing and panels are crucial for any livestock facility. They contribute not only to the wellbeing of the animals but also to the profitability of the facility. This is where we come in.

Choosing the Right Fencing Materials

Need help selecting the right fencing materials for your facility? Give Terry a call at 978-486-3116. She's our fencing expert and can help you find exactly what you need to ensure the safety and efficiency of your livestock handling operations.

Check out our full range of fencing solutions at louispage.com. Let's get mooving!

Warm regards,

Debbie Page

A Winter Night in Spring: My Driveway Woes and the Beauty of Resilience

I thought my driveway woes were over… until I awoke at 2:00 AM to a chilly darkness. It was so cold I could see my breath. The flickering lights from the previous evening had hinted at this, but losing power still felt like a surprise. Best to snuggle down and try to sleep until sunrise.

A Winter Wonderland in Spring

When I finally convinced myself to leave the warmth of my down comforter, I saw it was a brisk 45 degrees inside the house. Outside, the trees were glistening with ice, creating a winter wonderland. It's officially spring now, but New Hampshire seemed to have missed the memo.

One little situation I face when the power goes out is the inability to use my cell phone without WiFi. I let the puppy out, bundled up in winter gear, and drove to the closest spot with cell reception, about a mile away. My son had tried to reach me, so I quickly let him know I was okay, without power, and heading to his house. Even without power, he has a wood stove and a generator. Ah, the promise of a cup of coffee was calling.

The Sparkling Drive to Safety

The world around me was brilliant as I traveled the ten minutes to Daniel’s house. The sky was a cerulean blue, and the ice-coated trees sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. Many limbs and some large trees were down, snapped from their stakes. The crews had already cleared enough of the tree trunks from the road for at least one lane to pass. Thank you to all the men who worked through the night and were still working to clear roads and restore power.

Stuck in the Snow

I made it to Daniel’s mile-long driveway. Though it hadn’t been plowed, I approached the hill with determination. I made it part of the way and then, that was it. No going further. Thank goodness I could use my cell phone. I let them know I was stuck.

In a few minutes, the whole family drove up in their Toyota Highlander to rescue me. Because it was their driveway, the kids were sitting in the back of the SUV. When Daniel opened the back, the six-year-old tumbled out onto the deep, fluffy snow! Though it scared her, she wasn’t hurt. With a tow strap quickly attached, Daniel towed me up the hill, and I made it safely to their house.

Warmth and Reflection

Ah, the warmth of the wood stove! And that cup of coffee. With the children presenting me with books of their choosing, we snuggled on the sofa to read. Note to self: get a wood stove before next winter!

Looking out at Daniel’s garden, I saw the ice had done a number on his fences. The entire lower section of the vegetable garden fence had collapsed under the weight of the ice. There were no trees to blame for the damage, just the ice itself. No big deal, as the poly deer netting can easily be restored to its original height. Another spring project!

Repairing Fences After the Ice

Ice is notorious for tearing down fences. Now is the time to start repairing or at least planning for the repair. You likely don’t need to replace the entire fence, just a section. Find the roll of wire or poly netting you need on the Louis Page website. Unsure of the original fence? Send us a close-up picture along with the opening size and height. Terry will very likely know what it is.

As always, my warmest regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (Indubitably, that is 131 years owned and run by our family!)

The Spring Fever Phenomenon: Record Early Bookings Create Fence Installation Bottleneck (How to Jump the Line and Save)

This morning, while most people were hitting snooze or scrolling mindlessly through their phones, I was witnessing something magical...

The Harbinger of Spring

The official harbinger of spring made his grand entrance in my town. There he was—one lone red-winged blackbird, perched regally in a tall tree right above the stream cutting through the center of town. Then I looked up and spotted six more of his buddies, lined up like sentinels on the telephone wires overhead.

A Friendly Competition

My friend Rebecca, who lives about an hour and a half away, and I have this little contest every year—who spots the first red-winged blackbird? She saw one Saturday, but I'm the first to hear one this season. Victory is mine!

This friendly competition holds a special place in my heart. Rebecca was one of the first people I met after moving from Georgia to New Hampshire. We were out walking one late winter day when she pointed out a red-winged blackbird—something I'd never seen or heard before, despite them possibly living in Georgia too. Ever since that day, these distinctive birds have always reminded me of Rebecca and that new beginning in New Hampshire.

The Rush for Spring Installations

But here's what's really interesting... Our fence installers are already booking up fast this year. People have spring fever bad after all that snow we've had.

Funny thing is—my yard is still completely buried under snow. Can't see a single patch of bare ground anywhere. But it doesn't matter one bit.

The sun is noticeably warmer, sitting much higher in the sky these days. And those red-winged blackbirds? They know. Spring isn't just coming—it's practically pounding on the door.

Why This Matters to You

Here's why this matters to you... The early scheduling rush means if you wait until you can actually see your property's fence line needs, you might be pushed to mid-spring or even later for delivery.

And here's the kicker—material prices are increasing every week right now because of the tariffs. What costs X today may cost X+15% in just a month. That's real money walking out the door if you delay.

Smart property managers—especially those handling zoos, parks, and DOT projects—are locking in their fence work now, while there's still snow on the ground.

Secure Your Spring Products Now

Don't let spring fever catch you unprepared. Terry, our fence expert with decades of hands-on experience, is standing by to help you secure your spring products. She's seen this pattern year after year and knows exactly how to prioritize your needs.

Call Terry directly at 978-486-3116 and mention the "red-winged blackbird alert" for a 5% discount off the product.

While March might have my yard still buried under a foot of snow, those chipmunks aren't waiting for an engraved invitation to start their spring shenanigans. They're already popping out of stone walls, looking sleepy-eyed but determined—much like me before my morning coffee.

Nature's Perfect Balance

And poor Phoebe! My little black poodle's got a serious case of March Madness that has nothing to do with basketball brackets. She's going wild chasing those little rodents, but thankfully not quick enough to catch one. Nature's perfect balance in action.

Smart Wildlife Management with Graduated Deer Fencing

Speaking of balance... that's exactly what our graduated deer fencing provides. Those clever openings at the bottom? They're strategically sized to keep certain critters out while letting the smaller ones pass through. It's like having a bouncer who knows exactly who belongs on which side of the velvet rope.

This graduated design isn't just smart for backyard or orchard wildlife management. Our clients at major zoos and wildlife preserves use this same principle to create safe, natural environments. The mesh allows for proper ecosystem function while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Durable Solutions for Diverse Needs

And let's be honest—when you're containing everything from curious meerkats to determined primates, you can't afford second-rate materials. That's why our wire mesh systems are engineered to withstand both time and tenacious animals.

Whether you're managing a solar farm that needs protection from larger wildlife or designing a zoo enclosure that keeps the right creatures in (and the wrong ones out), we've got solutions battle-tested across decades of field use.

Expert Advice for Your Specific Situation

Don't just take my word for it—call Terry, our fence expert, at 978-486-3116. She can walk you through the specific mesh sizes and configurations that will solve your exact situation.

Or hop over to louispage.com where you can browse our full selection of wire mesh and plastic netting solutions.

Debbie Page

It's Debbie from Louis Page, and I've got some spicy news about our industry that you need to know about.

The Impact of Tariffs on Steel Prices

Those tariffs on Chinese steel (where our materials come from) aren't just political noise—they're creating a pricing nightmare. One of our vendors hit us with a price increase last week... and then another one today. We're seeing jumps of 20% and still climbing.

I don't know about you, but I've been in this business long enough to know when something unprecedented is happening. We're not just seeing one round of increases—we're seeing multiple hikes back-to-back, sometimes from the same vendor within days.

A Rapidly Evolving Pricing Situation

We're experiencing this rollercoaster firsthand here at Louis Page, and I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't sound the alarm.

Here's the brutal truth—vendors are hitting us with consecutive price hikes. What was shocking last week is already outdated as new increases arrive on our desk today. This isn't just a one-time adjustment—it's a rapidly evolving situation with no clear ceiling in sight.

We're watching our pricing structure change in real-time, and it's creating significant challenges for all types of projects across the board.

Act Fast Before Your Quote Expires

Look, I'm not here to panic you. But I am here to give you the unvarnished truth.

If you've got projects in the pipeline that need our wire mesh or plastic netting, you're facing a pricing situation that's changing by the week—sometimes by the day. What we quoted last month is obsolete. What we quoted last week might already be obsolete.

And here's the kicker—our vendors are now only guaranteeing their prices for three days. That means any quote we give you today has a 72-hour expiration date attached to it.

Get Today's Pricing Now

Terry is our fence expert who can help you navigate this volatile situation. Give her a call at 978-486-3116. She can give you today's pricing and help you understand how to make decisions with this very narrow window.

Peering through the narrow window…

Debbie Page