January 30, 2014

Order the Gallagher Live Lite Here!

 Order Here!! The Gallagher Live Fence Indicator Installation for Electric fence

 

January 30, 2014

Gallagher I Series Energizer Introduction Video

Buy the Gallagher I series electric fence energizer fence charger from us! Best Price

January 29, 2014

The Smartfix electric fence tester and trouble shooter

Smartfix


Features
  • Multi-mode fault finding tool: Current Meter and Digital Volt Meter (DVM).
  • Convenient pocket size.
  • Modern water resistant and impact resistant case.
  • Large easy to read LCD display.
  • Long life battery - up to 3 years.
  • Auto ON/OFF. Activated when fence pulse is detected.
  • Switch to change between DVM and Current Meter modes.
  • Retractable voltage probe for reading voltage on energizers and other hard to reach areas.
  • Micro-chip technology that enables low voltage operation.
  • Detachable earth lead.
  • All parts fully replaceable.
  • Low battery indication.
  • When used as a DVM: can be used to measure voltage on all energizer types, measures up to 15KV; use without earth lead for everyday fence voltage reading (earth lead will give more precise readings, particularly for measuring earth voltage.); retractable probe allows easy access to energizer terminals, cut-out switches and other difficult to reach areas.
  • When used as a Current Meter: large arrows makes for easy fault finding by showing direction of fault; digital display of current (A) makes for easy detection of faults; bar graph indicating voltage while in current meter mode; cordless operation.

January 28, 2014

Choosing the Right Energizer/Fence Charger

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.

January 28, 2014

Building Your Electric Fence

Building Your Electric Fence

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 

January 28, 2014

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.

January 28, 2014

* FARM PHOTO CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT*

We are having a Farm and Fence Photo Contest for the month of February. Please Email us your photos of your farm, animals, fence or anything related to the farm lifestyle from now until the end of February. We will post your pics on our facebook page, send as many as you like. Selected winner of best photo will recieve a Gallagher Baseball Cap.

January 28, 2014

We are a direct source for your Gallagher livestock electric fence needs

We are Valley Farm Supply and we were established in 2004 as a source for quality farm supplies. We offer Gallagher fence products to professional farmers, ranchers as well as hobby farmers. Valley Farm Supply is the largest gallagher dealer in the Northeastern, U.S.A. , which means we can pass along savings to you.

We are a direct source for your Gallagher livestock electric fence needs. We also handle other brands such as Speedrite electric fence products, Parmak electric fence chargers, Stafix electric fence, Cyclops fence chargers, Patriot electric fence chargers and fencing items. We sell electric fence chargers, solar chargers battery chargers, energizers, wire, netting, fence insulators, hardware, poliwire, politape, hi tensile wire, wildlife fence, horse fence, gates, electric fence tools, strainers, polirope, equibraid, reels, fence testers, grounding parts, solar panels, fencing materials, seed, equine items and farm supplies. Please ask if we can supply your farm or ranch with the things you need to be successful.

January 02, 2014

Grazing Land Management Helps an Arkansas Farmer Reduce Effects of Extreme Drought

Cattle producers across Arkansas faced many challenges during the extreme drought of 2012. Luckily, grazing management strategies helped farmers like Randolph County’s Dale Courtney alleviate the drought’s effects. With the assistance of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Courtney developed and implemented a conservation plan that included grazing management strategies, which helped to protect his operation from the worst of the drought and make it more efficient. Following the conservation plan, he added electric fence and pipeline to funnel water to new tire tank watering facilities in each of his pastures. Courtney also created several new pastures to allow him to move his cattle around more frequently. He implemented prescribed grazing, to make sure a minimum amount of plant cover was maintained at all times to protect the soil from erosion and compaction—this improves the quality of the forage by giving it time to recover before it’s grazed again. Prescribed grazing also improves water quality by preventing soil from eroding into the water supply. By relying on prescribed grazing, Courtney was able to avoid the cost of supplemental forage like hay, which—while never cheap—has become more expensive due to the drought.“With this system, I can go until January or February without feeding hay,” Courtney explains. He was also able to stockpile some of his cool season forages for use in the fall and early winter, saving even more money. Courtney’s cattle are provided water by fenced ponds that use a gravity flow system to supply multiple tire tank watering facilities. This saves him from having to use electricity to pump the water to the different pastures.“Mr. Courtney is an innovator; he’s a producer you can go to with new practices and ideas,” says NRCS District Conservationist Adam Eades. Courtney uses legumes, prescribed grazing and nutrient management to eliminate the need for commercial fertilizer. Cover crops like legumes can prevent erosion, improve the availability of soil water and supply nutrients like nitrogen. Legumes convert nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into soil nitrogen that plants can use, meaning manure or commercial fertilizer may be needed in smaller quantities or not at all. Working with NRCS, Courtney’s conservation plan helped get him through the drought, and his operation continues to be successful.

December 29, 2013

High-tensile Fencing is usually the largest capital expenditure on a farm.



High-tensile electric fences last for a long time, are relatively easy to construct, and cost less than other types of fencing. Whereas cattle can often be controlled with 1 or 2 strands of electric wire, sheep require multiple strands, not so much to keep them in, but to keep potential predators out.

Five, six or seven strands of 12 ½ gauge high-tensile wire is common for sheep fences. The bottom wires of the fence are more closely spaced than the top wires. Wire spacings of approximately 6, 5, 5, 8 and 10 inches are typical. In areas where there is relatively even rainfall and some green vegetation most of the year, it is recommended that all wires be hot.

Ground return wires are recommended where there is low rainfall, stony and dry soil conditions, or where the ground is frequently frozen or snow covered. Switches can be installed so that wires can be turned off if the situation warrants. For example, it is useful to put a switch on the wire closest to the ground, so that it can be turned off if there is too much vegetation on the fence line.

 

High-tensile fences are made with smooth wire that is pulled to an initial tension of 250 pounds. They require strong corners and end braces to achieve adequate tension. The wire is held on fence posts with staples. These staples are driven at a slight angle off of vertical so the slash cut points steer the staple into different grains of the wood. The staples are not driven tight against the wire, but instead allow freedom for the wire to move during tensioning, temperature changes, or livestock pressure.

Grounding
Poor grounding is the leading cause of electric fence failures. An electric fence must be properly grounded so that the pulse can complete its circuit and give the animal an effective shock. It is important to follow manufacturer's instructions for grounding electric fences. A minimum of three ground rods should be used for each energizer. It is estimated that 80% of electric fences in the U.S. are improperly grounded. A voltmeter is an inexpensive tool that measures the charge the fence delivers and can be used to trouble shoot electric fence problems.

The charger
The charger (or energizer) is the "heart" of the electric fence system. It converts main or battery power into a high voltage pulse or "shock" as felt by the animal when it touches the fence. In the past, electric fence chargers shorted out easily. Today's chargers are low impedance, meaning they are designed to effectively shock though vegetation and other foreign materials touching the fence.

A 4,000 volt charger is usually sufficient for sheep. The number of joules needed depends on the length of the fence, the number of electrified wires and the severity of conditions. A joule is the amount of energy released per pulse. As a general rule, 1 joule will power 6 miles of single fence wire; 4.5 joules is usually adequate for 20 to 50 acres. Lightning strikes can damage energizers. Surge protectors and lightening arrestors are recommended to minimize energizer damage.

High tensile electric fencing requires periodic upkeep. Fence wires should be kept properly tensioned. Weeds and brush should be cleared from the fence line by spraying or mowing.

It is important to note that an electric fence much more of a psychological barrier rather than a physical one. Sheep and lambs must be trained to respect electric fence. Once trained, they will usually respect the fence even if it is off for any reason.

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