In 1938, the first electric fence was developed in New Zealand by Gallagher. Since that time, electric fencing systems have made farm and ranch life easier. Today, both permanent and portable electric fencing products are used all over the world.

Basics of Electric Fencing

Electric fencing is ideal for grazing or pasture management by containing animals on a selected area of pasture or crop. It also may be used to protect gardens and landscapes from animal damage.

Permanent electric fencing is economical, easy to install and easy to maintain. Temporary electric fencing is an effective temporary barrier for short-term animal control and rotational grazing.

Electric Fencing is...

• Safe: Animals remember the short, sharp but safe shock and develop respect for the fence.
• Easy to install: An electric fence takes less than half the time to build compared to traditional fence systems.
• Durable: A non-electrified fence experiences constant wear and tear under stock pressure. Because your animals learn to avoid an electrified fence, your fence will last longer and remain in good condition.
• Economical: Electric fences cost less than 50% of traditional non-electric fences.

How does an Electric Fence work?

Electric current (AMPS) only flows when a circuit is completed between a positive and negative
terminal.

In this diagram the current cannot flow from the positive terminal to the negative terminal because the switch is open.

In this second diagram, the switch is now closed, allowing the current to flow from the positive terminal through the light bulb (lighting the bulb) to the negative terminal.

An electric fence circuit is made on a larger scale. The energizer fence terminal (positive) is connected to the insulated fence wires, and the energizer earth terminal (negative) is connected to galvanized metal stakes driven into the ground.

The same 'circuit completion' (as in the second diagram) is necessary before the animal gets a shock. An animal standing on the ground and touching the electrified wires will complete the circuit like the closed switch in the second diagram above.

For example, a bird sitting on the wire will not receive a shock. It is not touching the ground so the circuit is not completed. A person wearing insulated footwear will only receive a small shock because all the current cannot pass through the insulated soles.

Dry, sandy or pumice soil is a poor conductor of electric current, so it is a good idea to add an ground (negative) wire into the fence. The animal must touch both a hot wire and ground wire to feel an effective shock.

Choosing the Right Energizer/Fence Charger

Once you have decided what type of electric fence you want for your property, you will need an energizer also known as a fence charger to power it. The correct energizer size for your property is determined by the type of animal to be fenced, distance of fence to be powered and the number of wires in the fence.

There are two types of energizers:

• Mains powered - these are energizer units which are plugged into a mains power supply.
• Battery/Solar powered - these are energizer units which can be left out in your paddock and require a battery to run them. Two batteries can be rotated on a regular basis or a solar panel can be an effective means of continuously charging your battery.

Steps to Good Grounding

Grounding (a.k.a. earthing) is perhaps the most neglected component of many fence systems. We recommend three ground rods, 6’ deep and spaced 10’ apart are the minimum recommendation. Never attach copper to steel. Electrolysis can occur and result in corrosion which weakens shocking power. Use galvanized ground wire and grounding rods to avoid this problem.

Consider that most energizers use galvanized or stainless steel terminals – not copper. Think of your ground system as an antenna that gathers electricity in order to deliver the shock to the animal. Modern satellite receivers can tune in to more television channels than the “rabbit ear” antennas of the past. A hose clamp holding a piece of copper wire to a rusty t-post has been the weakest link of many electric fence systems.

There is an old saying that says you cannot manage what you do not measure. On a livestock operation where pounds of animal equate to dollars in the bank, this adage rings true.

Measuring factors, such as animal weights, is vital not only to improving animal and herd performance, but ensuring the producer's bottom line as well. Greg Marlay, manager of DJV Cattle Company in Edwards, Missouri recognizes this necessity.

"Weighing is the first basic step in managing production," says Marlay.

"Our company quote here is, 'Identify the pullers and draggers,’ " says Marlay. "We cannot do that without scales and an identification system."

Over the years Marlay has realized without a scale you are just working in the dark. When it came time to purchase a weighing system for DJV Cattle Company, he knew Gallagher would be his brand of choice.

"I have over 30 years of experience with Gallagher," says Marlay. "I like the quality of their products and the technical support they provide."

DJV Cattle Company's first weigh scale system was a Gallagher 3800 scale head, purchased at the recommendation of their local veterinarian. However, more recently, they have added the HR3 Electronic Tag Reader and upgraded the scale head and data collection abilities with the Weigh Scale Indicator 810. They are very happy with the system's performance thus far.

The central Missouri cattle operation considers this technology a vital management tool for their business which currently runs approximately 700-head of mother cows and retains ownership of all calves, backgrounding and finishing them on the same operation.

When processing cattle, DJV Cattle Company tries to capture as much data as possible on their animals as they come through the chute.


"We find ourselves collecting an immense amount of data in the course of a year on a cow," says Marlay, "and we've found it's beneficial to do so.”

Each animal on Marlay's operation is outfitted with an electronic identification (EID) ear tag containing a chip which carries a unique identification (ID) number. This unique ID number is readable with the use of the HR3 Handheld Electronic Tag Reader and utilizes Bluetooth technology to communicate with data collection devices.

When used in combination with the Weigh Scale Indicator 810, the HR3 Electronic Tag Reader allows Marlay and his employees to simultaneously identify animals and record their weights as they are processed through the chute, increasing efficiency and saving time.

DJV Cattle Company records weights on mature cows during three critical times of the year – pre-calving, breeding, during pregnancy check and weaning. Calves are weighed individually at weaning. In addition, the scales provide a means to accurately determine individual dosage rates for vaccines and medications.

Despite its multiple uses, Marlay believes the single biggest benefit of using Gallagher's EID reader and weigh scale systems on his operation has been the ability to record individual weaning weights of calves.

"That alone I believe would pay for the system," he says.

Most ranches do not bother to take individual weights, Marlay says. However, he has found this simple practice has allowed him to identify which cows are not doing their jobs. By singling out the low performers, he is able to better choose which cows to cull. This in turn improves overall herd performance and provides for a higher quality calf crop the following season.

As with any technology, however, there will be bumps along the way. Marlay found the EID and weigh scale system to be quite reliable, but admits he had a little trouble here and there.

"It takes a little bit of maintenance as anything," says Marlay, "but, once we learned what we weren't doing procedure-wise and fixed it, it works really slick."

Today, Marlay cannot imagine not having a Gallagher weigh scale system on the ranch.

"It's like four-wheel drive or cab tractors – you wonder how you get along without it," he says.

And in this day and age, more information means more knowledge, which comes back to the ability to make better management decisions.

"In the past we never had enough history on a cow to make those decisions," says Marlay. "Now we are able to identify the superior animals we want to continue with."

In the long run, the use of Gallagher products has allowed DJV Cattle Company to not only improve their herd and cattle genetics, but the sustainability and profitability of their ranch as well.