2015 Georgia Grazing School John W. Worley Choosing the Right Fence, Charger, and Wire or Tape for Your Grazing System 2015 Georgia Grazing School John W. Worley

Fencing Systems Plan the system before building Choose the right materials Use the right construction techniques Perimeter Fence vs. Cross Fencing

Types of Fences Field Fence (Page wire, hog wire, woven wire) w/ barbed wire at top Perimeter and baby calf areas and near busy roads Note the long spacing between line posts, which is possible because high-tensile steel wire is used. Note also that the steel posts are galvanized.

Types of Fences Barbed wire Where electric doesn’t work well Swampy, heavily vegetated areas

Types of Fences Electric (Note vinyl coated wire) This poor quality photograph illustrates what a fence might look like to an animal and shows how the fence is much more visible because of the vinyl-coated wire.

Electric Tape This poor quality photograph illustrates what a fence might look like to an animal and shows how the fence is much more visible because of the vinyl-coated wire.

Wire vs Tape

Wire Types Steel (Low Carbon vs High Tensile) Single, barbed, woven Galvanizing (Class I or Class III) Vinyl Coated (including conductive) Electric Tapes and Ropes Temporary Permanent High-tensile, Class III galvanized wire gives you the most strength and durability for your money. It’s one drawback is that it is harder to work with. It doesn’t bend easily and requires wire cutters that are designed to cut the hard steel.

Post Types Wood Steel (Painted or Galvanized) Treated (at least 0.4 lb/ft3) Ground Contact CCA is preferred Untreated (Landscape Timbers are untreated or lightly treated) Steel (Painted or Galvanized) Plastic (Temporary electric) Fiberglass Sucker Rod (High Density FG)

Materials Perimeter Fencing Cross Fencing Recommend High Tensile, Class III galvanized wire Galvanized Steel or Treated Wood Posts Class III galv. staples (1 ¾”) Cross Fencing If truly temporary, use plastic posts and electric rope or tape High-tensile, Class III galvanized wire gives you the most strength and durability for your money. It’s one drawback is that it is harder to work with. It doesn’t bend easily and requires wire cutters that are designed to cut the hard steel.

Components with Similar Lives Painted Posts with Class III galvanized wire

How Long Will It Last? Painted Posts with Class III galvanized wire

How Long Will It Last? Galvanized Posts with Class I galvanized wire

How Long Will It Last? Galvanized Posts with Class I galvanized wire

How Long Will It Last? Painted Posts, Class I woven wire, Class III barbed wire

Fence Chargers (Controllers, Energizers) Look for Low-Impedance charger Look for ratings at different loads (ohms) 50,000 ohms (fence in good condition) 5,000 ohms 500 ohms 100 ohms (fence in poor condition) At least 1000 volts @100 ohms

Cost per Mile

BRACES and INSTALLATION

H Brace Strongest Brace Top member 2 to 2 1/2 x height of fence Brace transfers the load from the top to the bottom of the corner post. Top member length keeps brace wire at a desirable (low) angle which helps keep corner post from being pulled up.

Pinning Braces Min. 8 ft. Min. 3 ft. Galvanized pins will keep top brace from coming loose over time. Min. 3 ft.

Pinning Braces 3/8” Galvanized Rod Pin makes a good support for brace wire.

Installing Brace Wire Allow wires to slip

Nailed Braces Not Recommended Pin makes a good support for brace wire.

Nailed Braces Not Recommended Pin makes a good support for brace wire.

Installing Brace Wire Tensioning the wire brace Note that two high-tensile wires are sufficient for most any corner assembly.

Pass-thru Line Brace Not recommended Photo courtesy of NRCS

Line Brace Wire Wrapped Around Post Line brace is much stronger than the staples that hold the wire to it. Wire should be wrapped around center post

Correct Line Brace Each end wrapped around center post Can go 660 ft between braces if terrain allows and properly constructed.

Dead-Man Brace Need Larger Post Not as Strong Easier to Build “Dead Man” should be about a 4-ft. post buried perpendicular to the corner post.

Stapling Technique Leave Wire Loose Only Horizontal Wires Rotate from Vertical (Rotate away from slashes) Right for right-handed staples Left for left-handed 1 3/4” Galvanized Staples

Post Installation Driven wooden posts are stronger Drive Small End Down

Post Installation Proper Tamping Procedure

Electric Fence Grounding Proper grounding of charger is vital 3 or more 8-ft rods 10 ft apart Separate from other electrical grounds Drive and connect all rods Never Concrete Over Ground Alternate Wires

Lightning Protection Good grounding is essential Nothing is “Lightning Proof” Use devices sold by charger manufacturer to maintain warranty

Lightning Protection “Choke” and “Lightning Arrestor” Separate (Better) Grounding System Protect Source side as well as fence side Protection at Power Source Choke Energizer Lightning Arrestor Cut-out Switch Energizer Ground Lightning Ground 8-ft Rods At least 50 ft 10-ft apart 10-ft apart

QUESTIONS ? jworley@uga.edu