The earthing system of your electric fence must be as conductive as possible for the fence to give the animal an effective shock. A simple guide is one earth stake for every five joules of stored energy with a minimum of three earth stakes.

Additionally, you will need to set up your electric fence according to how ‘green’ the area is all year round.

All Live Wire System - best suited for wetter regions

For use in greener regions with good earth conductivity. All fence wires connect to the red terminal on the Energizer and a shock is delivered to an animal when it’s touching the ground and the fence at the same time.

Testing on All Live Wire Ground System

This should be done once a short section of fence has been built. You should test your system at least once a year at the height of any dry period to ensure the grounding capacity is sufficient for the joule rating of the energizer.

Short the fence out at least 330’ away from the ground system by using several ground rods between the wires and the ground. Reduce the fence voltage at this point to 2000V (2kV) or less.

Using a Volt Meter, measure the voltage between the wire connecting through the ground rods to the Energizer ground terminal and an independent ground rod. This rod should be a galvanized metal rod, minimum 8” long. Place the rod 3’away from the ground rods or as far away as your Volt Meter cable will reach.

There should be no reading on the Volt Meter; however, up to 200V (0.2kV) is acceptable. If the voltage is higher than this, switch off the Energizer, drive in more ground rods at the recommended spacings and connect them to the existing ground system until the voltage is down to the acceptable level.

Earth Return Wire System – Best suited for drier regions

For use where the ground struggles to conduct enough power (for year-round dry, frozen or snow conditions). The live and earth wires on the fence create the shock when the animal touches them both at the same time.

Testing a Ground Return Wire System

Install a 2m earth stake as close a possible to the end of the fence. Install a 500ohm load tester between a hot wire and ground wire. Choose the location for the ground rod in a damp area if possible. If you cannot find a damp area, the ground test may be unreliable.

Using a Voltmeter, measure the voltage between the hot wire and the ground wire across the load tester you just installed. Next measure the voltage between the hot wire and the independent ground rod, leaving the load tester in place.

If the second voltage reading exceeds the first by more than 1000V (1kV) check the ground return wire for loose connections. Finally, connect the independent ground rod to the ground return wire as a permanent connection. Extra ground rods can be added at various places around the fencing system and connected to the ground return wire to improve ground performance.

If the first voltage reading is less than 3kV, your fence system is at risk of poor animal control. Assuming that your ground wire return checked out satisfactorily, check that the fence hot wire has good connections. If connections are good, it is possible that your energizer is too small for your fence system.

Eight generations and 215 years of experience in the cattle business have taught the Lowe family of Smiths Grove, Kentucky the importance of quality when it comes to raising cattle. Kenneth Lowe explains his family's roots in the cattle business began with a feeding and finishing operation in the mid-1800s. The family business eventually transitioned their focus to a commercial cow herd in the early 1960s. Upon graduating from college in 1976, Lowe decided to stake his own claim and started Oak Hollow Angus after purchasing the farm next door to his mother and father's operation.
 
Angus was Lowe's breed of choice from the very beginning. "I've never found any other breed that allows me to produce pounds of beef as efficiently as my Angus cow," says Lowe.
 
When it comes to producing quality cattle, Lowe says, it is a two-fold thing. For Lowe, his breeding program focus is all about the females. Currently his operation breeds about 350 to 400 females a year, calving out approximately 250 to 300 on the farm and selling the rest as bred females.
 
"My whole program is about building a better factory," says Lowe, "A cow that can breed at 15 months, calve at 24, do it unassisted, breed back, and do it again every 12 months until she is 12 or 15 years old."
 
Lowe chose to focus Oak Hollow Angus's breeding program strongly on maternal and production traits such as fertility, calving ease, milk production, and growth. He believes these traits are the most important in making a commercial cow-calf operation profitable.
 
When it comes to producing quality cattle, Lowe says, it is a two-fold thing. "One, we want to produce an end product of the highest quality, but the other part of that is also to produce it at the lowest cost," Lowe says. "So I guess when it comes to quality (on a breeding operation), it's talking about selling breeding stock that will help make commercial customers maximize their bottom line."
 
Like most Angus producers, detailed records are an important part in maintaining breed quality on Lowe's operation. According to American Angus Association CEO, Bryce Schumann, quality in the Angus breed is measured, tracked and improved upon over time through data collection on the ranch level.
 
"Records submitted by breeders, like birth weight, weaning weights, calving records, feed intake, are used to build the American Angus Association's vast suite of EPDs (expected progeny differences) and $Values, along with pedigree and genomic information," says Schumann.
 
Thanks to producers' record-keeping efforts and submission of DNA samples for high-density tests to produce genomic-enhanced EPDs, the American Angus Association boasts the industry's most advanced and accurate genetic prediction tool available to breeders.
 
This focus on tracking and improving upon quality transfers through into the management tools Oak Hollow Angus uses to gather these records. A key component of this record-keeping system is weighing cattle.
 
Lowe uses an electronic weighing scale placed under his chute to record weights on cows and calves at birth and weaning, and as yearlings. In addition, measurements such as weaning and yearling heights, along with ultrasound scans of ribeye area, backfat thickness and intramuscular fat are also taken on calves during processing.
 
"Having electronic scales just allows us to get that reading a little quicker," says Lowe. "We're recording information on height, condition score, and ID numbers all at the same time; it's just a lot smoother."
 
Along with weighing systems, Lowe believes high quality, reliable fencing equipment is a must for running an efficient cattle breeding operation.
 
"I've been using Gallagher chargers since 1980," says Lowe. "At that time there were no other choices that were even close that I know of. If you want to use a fence charger, to me Gallagher is the one you should compare to, it's the top of the industry."
 
Lowe anecdotally says when people come to buy bulls, sometimes they spend as much time talking about fencing as they do about cattle.
 
Fencing is a system of components, says Lowe, and if one component fails, the whole system fails. By using Gallagher products, he has an economical fence which holds up and performs like it is supposed to so he doesn't have problems.
 
"In breeding cattle and putting up fence and how I manage my employees, let's eliminate problems," says Lowe. "Problems cost me money."
 
Last year, Oak Hollow Angus turned out 18 different herd sires in their breeding herd. Doing this involved a lot of natural service and keeping different breeding groups separate. There is no way to do this except good fencing, Lowe says.
 
According to Lowe, running electric fencing on the farm is a lot like having electricity in every room of the house – it needs to be the same way.
 
"I want electric fencing all over the farm so any time I need to run a fence for any reason all I have to do is tie it right onto my existing system," says Lowe. "It's all about managing where these cattle graze and how you control them."
 
Lowe says he could not imagine taking care of the amount of cattle he does without quality electric fencing.
 
With what it takes to make agriculture work today, Lowe says, you need all the help you can get. Having quality management tools to work with helps to make his day a little easier, allowing him to focus more on the important things in life like his family and producing quality Angus cattle.

There are several different types of portable electric fence wires, tapes and braids - frequently called “conductors”.  Knowing which one to choose can be a bit tricky - especially for those new to electric fencing.

Here we take you through the different types of conductors available to help you make the right choice for your farm:

Poly Wire

The most common portable/temporary fence “conductor” is Poly Wire. Poly Wire is made of plastic strands and embedded thin metal wires used to carry electrical current from a Fence Energizer. The individual strands of plastic and wire are typically twisted tightly together to form a single wire.

Poly Wire lacks the strength of steel wire fencing but it won't rust and is more visible to animals. Wires less than 3mm in diameter are popular for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, while larger 5mm diameter versions are suitable for horses due to improved visibility.

As it’s available on a reel, it provides a convenient option for temporary fencing solutions, such as strip grazing, and also offers a cost-effective option for subdividing pastures.

Poly Tape

Poly Tape threads individual strands of plastic and wire together creating what appears to be a highly visible ribbon. Tape is strong, can withstand all weather conditions, and won’t rust. White tape is more visible against green vegetation or brown landscape, whereas brown or green tape is more visible against a snow background.

Electric poly tape is available in different widths with each width being better suited for different applications. Because of its enhanced visibility and superior strength, the thicker tape is recommended for perimeter fences, but it’s not the best solution in areas that experience strong winds – in these situations, Poly Braid would make a better choice for perimeter fencing.

If exposed to a windy area a thinner Tape provides is better suited as their thinner width provides less resistance to winds, and thus are less inclined to suffer wind damage.

Poly Braid

Poly Braid is a superior construction than Poly Wire, and is less likely to be damaged by the wind and ice than Poly Tape.

Poly Braid consists of individual strands of plastic and wire that are braided together to form a tight weave making it more durable, and less prone to tangles and overstretching. Poly Braid comes in various diameters (thickness). 

High Tensile Wire Fencing 

High Tensile Wire is suitable for permanent fences over a large area. However, as wire fences don’t give like a Poly Tape or Poly Braid fence, high tensile wire fencing isn’t suitable for fast-moving animals, such as horses, who could succumb to serious injury if they run into the wire at speed.

High-tensile wire is available in two options: galvanized steel and aluminum. Both are strong, hard-wearing, and low maintenance, and are a good choice for constructing perimeter fences to contain slow animals. Galvanized steel offers an economic solution that will effectively carry an electric charge long distances. Aluminum offers superior conducting capabilities – four times as much as galvanized steel however, it tends to be more expensive than steel wire.

Turbo wire

Turbo products come in the same wire, tape and braided construction previously described for Poly - with one major difference. Turbo products have 9 strands of conductive metals including copper which make them up to 48x’s more conductive than Poly products which only have 6 strands of stainless steel. This means with Turbo, your voltage will stay strong and carry a “shock” further down your fence line than Poly products. Long temporary fences (over 200m) should always be constructed from Turbo products to ensure maximum livestock control.

Equine Fencing

If you own horses Equine Fence Wire is the safest, most effective electric fence for your horse. This long life, high tension fence uses specially designed wire coating to reduce risk of injury.

Turbo Braid can be used as a low tension semi-permanent fence alternative to Equine Fence Wire.  Braid is designed not to tangle or overstretch and is easy to install.

A semi-permanent Tape fence is highly visible, simple to construct and will last years, making this type of fence an economical and popular choice for horse owners.

Did you know?

All our cables – like the Heavy Duty Leadout Cable, the Equine Fence Wire and the Double Insulated Soft Cable - are made in our factory in New Zealand and come with a 10 year warranty.

The Earthing System

The earthing system refers to the galvanized metal stakes that are placed in the earth near the energizer. The metal stakes in the ground are part of the circuit that is completed when the animal touches the wire. The completion of the circuit is what allows the animal to get a shock. The energizers earthing system must be as conductive as possible for the fence to give the animal an effective shock.

Follow the recommendation below to get the maximum benefit. When in doubt, add more earth stakes. The number of earth stakes will vary depending on the power of the energizer and the soil type. High powered energizers need more earth stakes than low powered energizers. Dry, sandy, rocky or frozen soil will require more earth stakes than wet soils.

Energizer Size

• Up to 15 Joules – 3 stakes minimum
• Up to 25 Joules – 5 stakes minimum
• Up to 35 Joules – 7 stakes minimum

The 4-3-2-1 rule for earth stakes when installing permanent fencing:

4 metres between earth stakes

3 earth stakes minimum*

2 metres minimum length of earth stakes

1 wire connecting all earth stakes to Energizer earth terminal

*As a rule of thumb, use at least 3 earth stakes or the Energizer Stored Joules rating divided by 5.

Do

• Keep energizer earth system at least 10m (33ft) away from other electrical earth connections
• Keep energizer earth system at least 10m (33ft) away from any metal pipes carrying water.
• Use galvanized earth stakes. Rusty or corroded earth stakes will not be effective
• Locate Stakes where soil tends to stay moist, south sides of buildings (southern hemisphere) and low spots
• Use high conductive cable for connecting the Energizer to the fence’s earth system
• When constructing positive/negative fences, re-earth negative wires every 500m by installing an earth stake at that location

Don’t 

• Allow bare wires to touch an iron clad building - use double insulated cable.
• Do not use rebar steel for earth stakes
• Do not use copper lead-out wire or copper earth stakes.
• Place near fertilizer, animal urine and manure (corrosion)
• Place your earth stakes where they are likely to be hit by equipment

Main causes of a poor earth system are

• Rusty or corroded earth stakes
• Broken earth wire connecting the stakes
• Not enough earth stakes
• Earth stakes too close together or too short
• Poor connections at the stake or in the connecting wire

Previously called Polycrimps.

Non-rusting, long life crimp that joins 5mm Turbo Braid - simply compress with appropriate tool. 

Lowers fence cost by extending post spacing. Suitable for multi-wire sheep, goat and cattle electric fence applications supported by wood, steel and Gallagher Insulated Line Posts.

Check out our fence cost calculator to see how the Insulated Line Post system compares to traditional fencing.

Ōpunake dairy farmer Angeleigh Young is saving hours of travel time and stress by controlling electric fences on her family’s farming operation with the tap of a button on her phone. 

Angeleigh manages a 160-hectare dairy farm owned by her mother-in law, Adrienne. She installed a Gallagher i Series M6000i energizer to power up the property’s electric fence system, which she uses alongside Gallagher’s i Series App Gateway to control the farm’s entire electric fence system via her mobile phone. The Gateway enables Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection so Angeleigh can manage it all from the Gallagher Ag Devices App. 

“It’s just so easy to use,” she says. “We set up the energizer in the pump shed which is about 800 metres from the cowshed and installed the i Series App Gateway with a Wi-Fi connection. We downloaded the App, connected to our WiFi network and it was ready to go.” 

Before installing the system, turning the energizer on and off was a hassle. Angeleigh would have to travel back and forth between the pump shed and wherever she was moving stock or trying to fix electric fence faults. It was time consuming and frustrating.  

With the i Series Energizer System, Angeleigh can control the power to her fences with the push of a button on her phone. 

“The system will also alert me when there is a fault or if power isn’t getting to the fences. It gives you peace of mind the fences are always working, and our cows are where they are meant to be,” she says.  

“You can turn the fence off, check one part of the fence and move to the next and turn it back on again when you’re done. No more travelling up and down the farm to switch the energizer on and off.” 

The farm supplies Fonterra and Angeleigh milks 280 cows at peak, producing about 115,000 kg/MS per season. She also breeds all their herd replacements and has young stock both on the home farm and two adjacent runoff blocks that connect to the milking platform.  

“The next step for us is to install i Series Fence Monitors at our runoff blocks so we can monitor the entire electric fence operation in zones. Doing that will mean I will be able to monitor individual zones without having to travel the entire farm looking for fence faults” says Angeleigh. 

When Angeleigh’s husband Kieran is helping out on the farm, he can also control the fences from the App on his own phone. 

“Kieran doesn’t work on the farm every day, but sometimes he helps. For example, he manages our oxidation ponds which are surrounded by fences. He has the App on his phone, and it means he can drop the fences himself to manage the ponds without have to drive back to the energizer or call me, asking me to do it.” 

Angeleigh also knows when her mother-in-law Adrienne is out working on the fences, because she receives an alert on her phone when the fences are powered off. 

“I’ve also had contractors come and do maintenance work on the farm or deliver things when I’ve been busy. I can let them through by powering off the fences without even being on site. The system is such a time saver,” says Angeleigh. 

Canterbury dairy farmer Ian Hopping has done enough dairy conversions to know a good irrigator fence crossing system when he sees one.  That’s why he chose to install the new Gallagher Irrigator Fence Crossing System on his latest conversion project in the Mayfield district.

Originally from the Waikato, Ian and wife Adrienne have been dairying since 1986 and now own several dairy farms in the Canterbury region. In 1995 they moved south, where land was considerably cheaper, and started to buy drystock and mixed cropping farms to convert. They purchased the 260ha Mayfield farm, a former sheep and cropping unit, in March 2014 and will milk 900 cows when the new season gets underway in spring.

To prepare the farm for conversion, Ian says all the old fences and infrastructure was stripped out “to give us a blank canvas”. The farm has been refenced using mostly two-wire electrics, and a large centre-pivot irrigator has been installed to water the bulk of the milking platform. Four smaller units cover the corners. Combined, the five irrigators will water a total of 244ha.

Installing a new travelling irrigation system always throws up a few challenges – not least of which is how to get the irrigator safely across fences without affecting the integrity of the fence. So Ian did some research before deciding on the new Gallagher Irrigator Fence Crossing System. “I’ve used a few different spring-type systems in the past, so I know what works well and what doesn’t. What I liked about the Gallagher product was that it came pre-assembled and the springs were much more robust than other products on the market.”

The Gallagher Irrigator Fence Crossing System prevents fence wires being picked up by the irrigator as it passes over the fence. A galvanised post and rope at each crossing point keeps the system firmly anchored to the ground, and dedicated spring bays allow the fence to stretch evenly to maintain tension while the irrigator is crossing. This extends the life of the electric fence and opens up grazing management options for farmers grazing stock on irrigated pastures and crops.

Ian says almost 300 crossings have been installed on the Mayfield farm. He purchased the Gallagher Irrigator Fence Crossing Systems from his local NZ Farm Source store and says they were a breeze to install. “They come pre-assembled with all the parts you need, so that saves a lot of time and effort when you are putting them in.”

While fencing on the Mayfield farm is still being completed, the fence crossing systems have worked well. Ian says the stronger springs on the Gallagher Irrigator Fence Crossing System prevent the fence wire from being overstretched. “Overall, I think it’s a very effective product and it will help us to manage our irrigated pastures more efficiently.”