clarkmorefarm
Well-known member
I know a lot of this has been covered before and read some of the threads, but what is the best way to start an electric fence from scratch?
I have new 5 strand barbed wire fences that have 6" perfect wood anchor post and h braces, and T post every 8' with a 6" perfect wood post as a line post at a maximum of 100 ft for all my cross fences that are clear of any vegetation currently.
Some of my perimeter is much older and grown up, but I have 5 to 6 barbed wires in most places and any rotten wood post have been pulled and replaced with T post to strengthen it back up.
My cows and calves currently respect the fence and gates pretty well, but I know when the grass is growing, they'll want to lean on it and get every blade of grass they can.
I will have 110v at my barn soon and it pretty central to my pastures, I can easily branch off from it I believe. I have some chargers I've inherited, not sure on the specs, but I'm not opposed to buying a new one that will have enough joules for all of my fence.
I will end up subdividing and rotating my cross fenced pastures mostly in half, so I can do that with step in or fiberglass post, I think I can figure out the reels and poly wire fence for that. It can feed off of any permanent fence if I understand correctly.
My biggest question is what type of insulators and wire does everyone use on a permanent fence? I assume any wire stretched for electric will need an inline tensioner on it.
My local soil conservationist recommended these insulators to get cattle away from the fence, but that seems pretty high dollar when you have to put it on both sides of cross fences.
www.premier1supplies.com
I've also seen the lock jawz and they seem like the would work well and use the same insulator for both sides of a t post.
I believe II would put in switches so I could turn off pastures not in use as needed, but looking for any advice you all have.
I have new 5 strand barbed wire fences that have 6" perfect wood anchor post and h braces, and T post every 8' with a 6" perfect wood post as a line post at a maximum of 100 ft for all my cross fences that are clear of any vegetation currently.
Some of my perimeter is much older and grown up, but I have 5 to 6 barbed wires in most places and any rotten wood post have been pulled and replaced with T post to strengthen it back up.
My cows and calves currently respect the fence and gates pretty well, but I know when the grass is growing, they'll want to lean on it and get every blade of grass they can.
I will have 110v at my barn soon and it pretty central to my pastures, I can easily branch off from it I believe. I have some chargers I've inherited, not sure on the specs, but I'm not opposed to buying a new one that will have enough joules for all of my fence.
I will end up subdividing and rotating my cross fenced pastures mostly in half, so I can do that with step in or fiberglass post, I think I can figure out the reels and poly wire fence for that. It can feed off of any permanent fence if I understand correctly.
My biggest question is what type of insulators and wire does everyone use on a permanent fence? I assume any wire stretched for electric will need an inline tensioner on it.
My local soil conservationist recommended these insulators to get cattle away from the fence, but that seems pretty high dollar when you have to put it on both sides of cross fences.

HD T Post Offset Insulator
Electric fence insulator that holds low-tension conductors 10" off of steel T posts.
I've also seen the lock jawz and they seem like the would work well and use the same insulator for both sides of a t post.
LockJawz T-360 Electric Fence Insulators
Universal T-Post Electric Fence Insulator Designed from the ground up to be the last t-post insulator you will ever need! Fits all standard t-posts (1.25-1.33 lb) 6 position 360° mounting options In-Line as well as T-Post corner insulator Easy "Weave-In" wire installation Poly Rope Poly Wire...
www.lockjawz.com
I believe II would put in switches so I could turn off pastures not in use as needed, but looking for any advice you all have.