Introduction

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Electric Fence Controller
• 10 to 14 Gauge Wire Insulated for 20,000 Volts
• Grounding System (copper or galvanized rods and brass clamps)
• Electric Fence Posts
• Insulation Wrap
• Post-Hole Digger
• Hammer
• Screwdrivers
• Wire-strippers
• Pliers

Steps

Tips & Warnings

• Place "Warning: Electric Fence" signs as often as you need, so from any vantage point one is easily seen
• Educate family and friends how to safely disconnect the electric fence in the case of an emergency
• Check your electric fence thoroughly every year for signs of damage, poor connections or poor insulation
• Avoid installing your electric fence grounding system within 50 feet of any utility grounds, underground telephone lines or water pipes.
• Do not use standard household electric wire. It is only rated for 600 Volts
• Avoid using barbed wire
• Do not add any other pieces of equipment to the circuit dedicated for the electric fence
• Do not "tie in" any equipment to the electric fence field controller
• Only fuses rated for 1 Amp/250 Volts should be used for the electric fence
• Avoid adding a second fence controller on the same fence at the same time
• Avoid standing near the electric fence during a lightning storm
• If you are using metal fence posts, ensure that the wire DOES NOT come in contact with the post

Electric fence installation 

Electric Fencing 101: Grounding

“Why are my animals pushing my electric fence? It was working fine in the spring, and the energizer is still clicking.”

Morgan Renner, Wyoming and Montana Territory Manager for Gallagher, one of the largest electric fencing companies in the world, says this may be the most common question he hears. The problem can usually be solved by checking the most overlooked component of electric fencing: how the system is grounded.

He tells his students at the many hands-on clinics he conducts throughout the west, “There are three things to remember about your electric fence: (1) Grounding, (2) Grounding and (3) Grounding!”

Morgan Explains

All energizers provide a pulse of energy that originates from their ‘hot’ terminal then travels down the fence line on a charged or ‘hot’ wire. Most users understand this aspect of electric fencing.  It’s fairly obvious that the hot wires can’t be touching a steel post or laying on the soil surface.  What’s not so obvious is that in the instant when an animal comes into contact with that charged wire, its body contains that energy but is not shocked… yet!  

In order to provide a shock and thus the respect for the fence, the energy must travel out of the animal’s feet, through the soil, into the energizer’s ground rods, then into the energizer’s ground terminal.  At that point, the circuit has been completed, and the animal receives the shock.  What I have described is an “all-hot” electric fence, shown below:

Using temporary fencing is a major tool when it comes to rotational grazing. In this video, I take a few minutes to explain some of the basics equipment I use daily for intensive grazing. I also show how I splice poly wire once it's been cut.

Gallagher Electric Fence Reel | The easy way to roll up poly wire fence in grazing paddocks. Electric Windup System for temporary electric fencing, strip grazing or cell grazing. www.fenceboss.com.au www.munroeng.com

Valley Farm Supply is a family operated business located in Lancaster County, PA, It was established in 2004 as a source for quality fencing supplies for modern farmers and ranchers and part time animal agricultural enthusiasts.  Valley Farm Supply specializes in Gallagher Electric Fencing products that include Energizers, Cattle scales, Rotational grazing supplies, and Livestock watering systems.

Valley Farm Supply is one of the largest Gallagher dealers in the U.S.A. and that means they can pass along savings to you. Valley Farm Supply has reliable, high quality products and services with the best prices on electric fencing and livestock supplies around. They offer the best selection of rotational grazing supplies with a huge inventory and competitive price matching.

Visit their online store at www.gallagherelectricfencing.comfor the best electric fence chargers, solar fence chargers. battery fence chargers, cattle scales, cattle waterers, fence wire, sheep and poultry netting, fence insulators, fence hardware, polywire, polytape, wildlife fence, horse fence, gates, electric fence tools, strainers, polyrope, reels, fence testers, grounding parts, and other fencing materials.

Valley Farm Supply offers Free Shipping on Gallagher energizers and most items. Chose them for easy online ordering and superior product knowledge. Please ask if they can supply your farm or ranch with the things you need to be successful. 

Contact:

Valley Farm Supply

P.O. Box 198

New Providence, PA 17560

Valleyfarmsupply@aol.com

www.gallagherelectricfencing.com

Issue: Voltmeter reading on one wire is higher than on another wire, or there is no reading from one live wire to ground-return or soil

1. Probable Cause: Broken or disconnected fence

wire, jumper wire or ground wire

Solution: Connect or repair wire; remove

cause of short; replace jumper connection

2. Probable Cause: Broken or faulty insulators

Solution: Replace faulty insulators

3. Probable Cause: Ground connection rod deteriorated

Solution: Replace ground connection rod

When most people think of livestock scales they think of cattle scales. However, these scales, depending on their design and features, are also used in other types of livestock farming. Hogs, horses and even goats are commonly weighed on livestock scales both at farms as well as in other areas.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind when considering livestock scales for small or large farms. Since these are an investment, it is a good idea to take your time and look at the various brands, models and designs and consider how they will work with your current livestock handling system and setup.

Stationary or Portable

Depending on your individual need and operation the decision to utilize portable or stationary livestock scales is important.  The need to weigh the individual animals or a group of animals can greatly determine what type of scale system is needed for the farming operation.

Portable Livestock scales options are available for alley weigh and squeeze chutes.  These allow the operator the flexibility of quickly setting up a weighing location around the livestock operation.  Converting your squeeze chute into a livestock scale system is easily done by mounting load cells under the squeeze chute.   Setting up an alley way by placing a light weight portable platform scale inside the alley way makes it easy to capture the weight of an animal without the hassle of relocating them just to achieve weight records.  These portable livestock scales can be utilized on level unimproved surfaces such as gravel.

Stationary livestock scales allow for capturing a group weight of animals.  A stationary livestock scale may also include a customized platform with gates to contain the group of animals, allowing the farmer to corral the group of animals and record an average daily weight gain.  Typically stationary livestock scales are mounted on concrete footings on a level surface.

Getting Information from Livestock Scales

The technology in livestock scales, today, allows these devices to be much more than just weighing equipment. Different models and different brands will offer time and data entry saving options when it comes to recording, tracking and storing information on the animals for production monitoring.

The more advanced types of livestock scales are compatible with herd management software to automatically keep all your records up to date. In addition, some of these models also allow for integration of EID readers, ensuring the special animal is identified by the scale and the data entered in a fully automatic way without the need for the operator to manually select the animal identification through lists in spreadsheets or software packages.

The more technology integrated in livestock scales allows for quick capturing of data during high volume operations.  The ability to capture that data within 5 seconds as compared to 15 seconds can make the difference of a normal day of running livestock over a scale to an extended long day.  For example running 1000 head of cattle over a livestock chute scale with a difference of 10 seconds per animal can save the farmer nearly three hours of labor in one day.

Gate hanging tips

Following recommended gate hanging procedures ensures your gate is stock proof, easy to open and shut, and looks good on the farm.

There is more than one way to hang a gate and most farmers and contractors have their own particular method and reasons.  Because of this, Gallagher interviewed farmers and contractors and used the information from this research to formulate a recommended gate hanging procedure – the idea being to "do it once, do it right".

Good gate installation is important and using well-designed, quality gate hardware can make a significant difference in the life and functionality. Gallagher gate hangers are designed to remain secure in the post for long periods of time, which ensures the gate remains upright and swings freely.