Some rookie sheep farmer questions !

[Clive]

Please be gentle here ad excuse my lack of knowalge

set up fence yesterday for sheep coming next week

3 strand fence - how low should the bottom strand be ? i.e. how small a gap will they get under ?

How far is max distance between plastic posts ? we have metal posts on tight corners, do wee need them on more gental curves ?

what do you do for a gate into temp fenced paddocks ? or do you just pull the post out when getting them in / out of a paddock ?

finally does this look set up right ? we got a bit confused how you start and end the fence !

 

[scholland]

Electric fence gate http://www.gallagherelectricfencing...ates/electric-fencing-rope-gate-e-766661.html

 

[spin cycle]

wire spacing looks ok....trouble with lots of bends is that unless tensioned or supported the posts might work loose......tell you what i'll bring some store lambs over to 'test' it for you

 

[devonshire farmer]

We use 2 strands on beg 3 and 5 counting from the bottom if for hogs then another strand above would be a good idea on maybe one peg from top, as you have it I would think!
Regarding gateways and beginning and ends everyone has their own style, you can get lots of different handpieces to drop wire, so you would end your run say 10-15ft from the beginning and join the circuit using a set of handpieces, I hope this makes sense, ps always try and do complete circles or squares as the power goes round better like that.

 

[Clive]

did we do the right thing running a topper around the fence line before we put it up ? i was concerned it would short out on the tall cover crop ? or was doing that a waste of time ?

 

[Hilly]

did we do the right thing running a topper around the fence line before we put it up ? i was concerned it would short out on the tall cover crop ? or was doing that a waste of time ?

You did right, what breed of sheep ? you don't what sheep with horns.

 

[spin cycle]

right thing IMO

 

[Clive]

You did right, what breed of sheep ? you don't what sheep with horns.

cull ewes is all I know - the rest is being left to a man who knows much more about good sheep vs bad sheep that I ever will

I will post some pics for you all to laugh at when they arrive !

I feel more like a "proper" farmer already

 

[gone up the hill]

If you plant catch crops for sheep next year ( I know these were not planted with grazing in mind ) then plant them in blocks with stubble strips between them to put the fence down on, make the blocks large enough for a weeks grazing!

Also make sure you have either a stubble or grass run back this year for them and they have access to water if needed!

 

[neilo]

I always try to keep fences running in straight lines, rather than trying to go round gentle curves, if possible. I put stakes at 15m spacing on straight lines (doesn't matter if plastic or steel as they are only holding a live wire up, not physically restraining the sheep), or much closer if not quite straight.

Spacing between the wires will depend on what the sheep are. Are you getting ewes, lambs, wild hill sheep, etc? Have your incoming stock ever seen an electric fence before? If not, you could well have a few escapees while they learn (I'm assuming you have a powerful enough fencer that they will learn?).

Definitely a good job topping down the fence line . It will stop any shorting as well as giving the sheep a visible barrier to make them see the fence line better. I run a tractor wheel or ATV down the fence to do the same, but a topper would be ideal if you have one/the time to do it.

 

[tr250]

most important thing is to keep the power on and stop it shorting they can soon tell when it's gone dead

 

[spin cycle]

what crop is it?

 

[Clive]

what crop is it?

its a cover crop with all sorts in it - wasn't planted with sheep in mind and if this is successful I will plant a more sheep specific cover next year and significantly increase numbers

So this year they have beans, peas, sunflower, fodder radish, linseed, millet, oats and vol wheat in there so should find something

I'm only getting 100 as a test this year and have 500ac of this for them should we need it - they shouldn't starve I hope

 

[Bury the Trash]

You will be fine..................as long as though all those ewes have all learnt to respect electric fences previously

 

[Clive]

You will be fine..................as long as though all those ewes have all learnt to respect electric fences previously

what could possibly go wrong on a field next to the m6 toll road

 

[kmo]

First stake up the row is the wrong side of the fence. Bit of rubbing and the wire will come out of the holder and the fence will go slack. On bends put the stakes so the wire is pressing back against the stake not pulling on the wire holder clip.
Push a good earth rod as far in the ground as it will go

 

[Henarar]

a good high output fencer from the start is what you need teach them to respect it

 

[Clive]

a good high output fencer from the start is what you need teach them to respect it

bought as big as RAPPA sold - cant take the arable farmer out of me all together when it comes to choosing kit !

 

[John100]

Hill ewes would laugh at that, They would jump it without a thought.
But I suppose the fence becomes less important once they get a taste for the crop and want to stay there

 

[Henarar]

what could possibly go wrong on a field next to the m6 toll road

highways will be responsible if they get through that fence

oh good on you for having a go they don't call them the golden hoof for nothing