Temporary Electric Fence Questions

Windswept Hill · #1 01/03/11, 11:16 AM

I spent most of this past fall building a Gallagher high tensile electric fence around one of our pastures in preparation for 'having some cows'.

However I was unable to complete the plumbing part of the project before old man winter showed up.

I would like to put up a temporary electric fence around another smaller pasture much closer to our house where I can supply water now.

Should I use those 'step in' plastic posts or the metal 'T' posts?

What is the most durable type of fence to use for temporary installation?

I would like to be able to use this fencing to partition off sections of the larger pasture during the summer.

Thanks!

rancher1913 · #2 01/03/11, 12:57 PM

plastic posts work but they are a pain and expensive. go to a metal supplier and get #3 rebar(3/8 inch) cut to 3 feet, bar comes in 21 foot sticks so you can get 7 pieces out of it. farm store will have plastic insulators to fit the bar and a 6 or 12 volt solar charger to power it. you can make a post ponder by finding a pipe that fits easy over the rebar and then welding a bolt in the end--pipe needs to be around 2 foot long. use the white or yellow insulators, the black is hard to see at night and makes it hard to check fence. also add an extra insulator (spare) every 10 posts so if the wire comes off and you lose an insulator you don't have far to go to find a spare.

myersfarm · #3 01/03/11, 03:53 PM

metal t post could be used on other nplaaces of the farm..if it is only Temporary

Callieslamb · #4 01/03/11, 08:06 PM

I have rebar 'posts' and the plastic step in posts. Both work just fine for a temporary fence. I prefer the plastic ones since they are much easier to move. I move my fence around to divide the pasture often so the plastic ones work better for me. The rebar might be just fine for what you need.

agmantoo · #5 01/03/11, 09:27 PM

To me, the plastic step in posts are a waste of money. If you want convenience and longevity get the pig tail step in posts for temporary fencing. They will last for years.

Medora · #6 05/15/13, 06:47 AM

We have 2 yearling Highland Scottish bulls and I am planning on rotational grazing and want advice:
1. What type of fence posts are the easiest to move.
2. We are planing on using electric rope and want to know which type of insulators work best. I'm looking at the Premier one catalog for the insulators and posts and they have numerous products available.
3. How tall should the rope be?
4. Can we use only one strand? We are no where near roads and it's not a big deal if the get out on occasion.
5. Do you know of any videos that show how best to move electric rope fence.
6. There are no trees/shade on he pasture. Any advice on what to build for shade that moves easily and won't blow away? We have some pretty high winds.
Thanks.

Windswept Hill · #7 05/15/13, 08:10 AM

I have found the plastic posts work well for me. They allow you to change the height to suit the ground slope and you can use multiple strands.

Different brands have their own fastening loop design (how the strand gets held to the pole) and some are way easier to deal with than others.

I like the Gallagher posts best. They make it easy for me to do this alone.

If your cows respect the fence and there are no calves then one strand should be fine.

I could actually use regular rope (non electrified) and my Dexters would be fine but I'll keep the hot fence up.

oneokie · #8 05/15/13, 08:25 AM

From the voice of experience, make sure the cattle know what an electric fence is before you turn them out.

AR Transplant · #9 05/20/13, 11:29 AM

I haven't been on this forum for a while. Its fun to read about everyone's cows and their problems.
We are going to put up an electric fence to keep our neighbors cows and horses out. ( I know it's supposed to be his problem but we agreed when he bought the property that we'd do the fence if we choose).

My question, how do you make sure the cows know what an electric fence is before you put it up?

thanks

Awnry Abe · #10 05/20/13, 04:53 PM

AR,

It just takes a lesson or two. We turn all new cows into the corral for a quarantine period. That gives them time to lose the flightiness. Our barnyard has double strand that is very visible. When let out of the corral, we do it early enough in the day that they are given time to explore with daylight--which results in a lesson with the fence. Occasionally, I will have one bolt through it, but then they are still confined to our pasture, and the repair is simple. I don't find that they are habitual offenders.