Electric Fence Height For Cattle

When erecting a temporary electric fence for cattle for the purpose of strip grazing a single wire fence set at a height of 3ft above the ground is commonly used.

Electric fence height for cattle.

Cattle are very sensitive to electric fencing so you can get away with a single line at around 90cm from the ground when strip grazing dairy cows. A number of fence set ups are required for beef cattle each with their own measurements based on specific conditions. The length of the wiring measures up to 1 300 feet with an additional 330 feet. Mesh squares range from 3 to 7 inches.

Temporary electric fencing for cattle stranded steel wire or polywire with steel or spring steel pigtail stakes. For these fences electric lines are not appropriate. However for herds containing young calves you will need two lines. So if the fence is using a 6 joule energizer 18 feet of ground rods are called for.

3 feet of ground rods per joule of energizer output. A two strand fence may be adequate to contain cows with calves but it is recommended that the wire strands are positioned at nose height of each. This portable mesh fencing suits all classes of livestock particularly sheep and goats. Electric fencing for beef cattle centers around two main features the fence wire and the charger.

To prevent escapes these fences should be at least 60 inches high and provide good visibility to the outside which will reduce stress on the cattle and keep them moving. Its design has been uv stabilized for a longer lifespan. Typically this would be three 6 foot ground rods spaced at least 10 feet apart gerrish explains. Height varies from 28 inches to 48 inches.

Netting comes in rolls with built in step in posts. The goal is to shock the animals once and to do this you may need to attract the animals to the wire by tying tinfoil or ribbon to the wire. Gerrish uses this rule of thumb. Grounding is 99 of the electric fence the specialists explain.

It can be used for both perimeter and interior fencing. The droppers shall be extended to approximately 6 inches above normal water level. This length is more than enough for your cattle fencing needs. 3 wires cross fencing 20 30 40 3 wires mature cattle 20 30 40 4 wires young cattle 16 26 36 46 5 wires cattle plus predator threat 6 12 20 30 40.

To safely contain most beef cattle a fence charger that delivers at least 2 000 volts to 3 000 volts to the fence line is required. Attach droppers of 12 gauge high tensile fence wire galvanized cable or galvanized chains to the electrified wire at a spacing of 6 inches for sheep and 12 inches for cattle. When training livestock to respect an electric fence it is a good idea to use a smaller pasture approximately three to four acres in size with a 3 to 4 electrified wire fence.