Part 2 Fencing your 5-acre farm. Happy Easter everyone!

Part 2 Fencing your 5-acre farm. Happy Easter everyone! Good fencing is critical to a successful rotational grazing operation. You have to be able to control your animals so that you can allow your grass to rest and fully recover after each grazing. Electric fence is your best tool for keeping your animals bunched into one group and rotated. If you want to keep your farm profitable every year, check out my 3 grazing books that I wrote on our website: greenpasturesfarm.net/books/

[@charlesgrady5750]

I don't have a farm, live in a condo, and still love your videos. What an educational series. Thank you.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Thank you Charles!

[@CopperStateCustomAdmin]

Just bought 20, finnishing putting up timless her this month and buying resistant kitadin. Gred you took me from an HOA in AZ to land in Indiana, you inspire people, keep it up.

[@marjnussby8305]

Nice!

[@jaredjames4059]

Greg, could you, in this series of videos, do a video of how you handle lambing season while rotationally grazing? Thanks for what you do.

[@mrcain6894]

Thank you for doing this series. More content on small flock management is appreciated!

[@Birikapermacultura]

Hi Greg, Thanks so much for your videos. You are opening new windows to people that whan to do something. In my case 3,5ha , 1ha forest and the rest pastures, hause, orchard..... . Nano farm for you jajaj!!! Big hand shake from the Basque Coutry, Bizkaia, Mungia, and thank you for all the details you show, give and share to us. Life is all about little details and you give us your own experience. WOW !!! 🤟🤟

[@janefromcanada6943]

Watching your videos in Northern Ireland where I plan to start a sheep farm

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

We are coming to Northern Ireland in September to speak at a regenerative conference.

[@kevinveinotte3454]

Hi- a thought; I'd put the corral(with cattle panels on both sides and gates on both ends) on the end of the dividing fence and use it regularly as part of rotation. ALL animals get soured to a corral when worked and never forget what you do there. By walking them through it with no stress and both ends open as part of rotation its easy to catch them when you do need them in there. We very rarely offer treats to the sheep- but we always use a bucket. They also remember that too-for years. If they get out-it happens- you can easily bring them back in from where ever they end up carrying an empty bucket. Also sheep in a neighbors yard(oh-their cute) cattle not the same response or level of damage. Starting with sheep is a fantastic idea to learn/gain confidence/knowledge/make a buck(sheep are almost always more profitable and safer). Cattle aren't for everybody. We have been doing Grass fed beef and lamb(kathadian sheep) for 25 years and still learning. kevin from Nova Scotia

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

This would work fine. One thing that you would need to think about before you did that though. How do you load them when it’s raining and your pasture is to soft to get your trailer out to your corral? A person would have to spend some serious money on gravel getting a road out to your corral. This would take a lot of pasture out of your grazing system to dedicate to a gravel road.

[@robscott553]

Good info. We learned a lot of this through the school of hard knocks 😂😂 After 12 years, we’re still learning.

[@tsmfff9251]

Just finished part 1 and this popped up! Thank you. I have a herding dog to manage livestock flow, keeps things calm fur us.

[@brich2929]

This is a Masterclass right here!

[@nickzelner]

This dude is a beast

[@marjnussby8305]

Happy Easter everyone! Another great one. Thank you!

[@adambachert9405]

Happy Easter Greg!

[@marcus3457]

Thanks Greg! Happy Easter to you too!

[@bobbyfoster1417]

Greg this is great !!!

[@bigbraincontent]

I am loving this sir! 👍 👍

[@miraclefarm1927]

Happy Easter!! Thank you for all the great information and illustrations.

[@VillelaHN]

Thank you for this series.

[@lewerim]

Thanks for this Greg. So helpful.

[@user-wv5fq8di2m]

Excellent video - Thanks!

[@richardkulig4318]

Great video

[@kentuckysustainableliving3583]

Great video I’m ready for part 3

[@dwaynejones1146]

Always great info...Thank you.

[@elijahsanders3547]

Thank you so much! Enjoying these and taking notes. God bless!

[@elijahsanders3547]

MORE QUESTIONS (in addition to the one I posted down below last night :) 1. What about shelter? Do you need shelter in each paddock or are you moving them to shelter every night, or trees, or they don't need it? 2. What about for a milking operation where you'll need to regularly bring the sheep in for milking? Do you need to take down or move all the paddock seperating wires to move the sheep, or do you need a channel going around the acreage? I suppose you could milk them in the field... maybe a mobile milking station? How would you handle rotational grazing with a dairy operation?

[@marvinbaier3627]

Thanks! Happy Easter! I hope you had a great day! I laughed really hard about turning off the fence before tightening up the wires. We have been having some days lately.

[@LtColDaddy71]

That really is the ultimate scenario for a micro cow calf Dexter herd. A mama and her calves. So that’s 2-3 on the ground. You will still have some room for sheep. And some pastured chickens. Not trying to steal your thunder, but 10 acres can do a lot. Over lapping, complimentary enterprises. Staying modular, and able to maintain it whether you sell product off it or not. Every county has cover crop drills you can rent. Put out warm season and cold season mixes. Irrigate 10 acres all together like that. I don’t dream about farming and ranching more acres than Rhode Island. I actually dream about farming 10, but 10 won’t give my 7 kids a future in farming. Plus, I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder quite frankly. Some of the locals at the coffee shop mocked and ridiculed me 23 years ago, and it made me want to prove them wrong and show them you can farm right and make it.

[@templeprogramming4982]

I saw in his presentation at SGF that he is hesitant about small cattle because it's harder to get any money for them when you cull.

[@LtColDaddy71]

@@templeprogramming4982 he is 100% right too. In a direct marketing situation, it doesn’t matter. A good Dexter cull is good eating, is great burger, hot dogs and jerky.

[@vanwhalen3719]

Love this

[@EdenGreenFarmandAdventures]

Hi Greg, great video. I got the timeless fence based on your recommendations 3 yers ago... For tensioning the wire, I find gripples are way easier solution than daisy tensioners.

[@millerwestfall4534]

Greg, you should put some links in your descriptions for products you get commission for. That way the company can track who's coming to their site from your videos.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

I do, the only products that I get a commission on our Timeless Fence Posts and Hisea boots.

[@patrickmcginnis6898]

Thank you and Happy Easter Greg! Very timely. Working on interior fence tomorrow using Timeless product. Seems like your wire heights would leave them to jump over quite easily (6 ,12, 18), but surely you would know. I was planning on 10, 19, 28; but now you've got me rethinking that. 🤔

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

You get sheep broke well to hot wire, you can keep them in with one 10” wire. We have been doing it fine for 4 years now with our sheep flock.

[@coziii.1829]

God bless

[@nickneufeld2081]

Thanks for these tutorials. Much appreciated!!! Can you please talk about grounding with timeless fences? I don't really understand how or why.

[@alisonkirton8377]

Thank you for your inspiration Greg! We have had 8 ewes on fenced 5 acres trying to rotate with electric netting and a solar charger. Well, 3 of them have worked out how to push their way right under it without getting shocked. I'm going to try your 3 strand high tensile down the middle and connect to a plug in charger. I don't think the solar ones with netting is strong enough. BTW, we got St Croix breed because of watching your KZbin channel! We love them and they are very gentle around our 6yr old. We are getting a ram in May and a young weaned ram as a buddy. Please include some tips to keep them separated from the girls until breeding time!

[@robbielynnhowlethehomestea8761]

👍🏻

[@jjprinsloo4046]

Thanks for sharing your knowladge, We have 40 ac in south east Oklahoma. I am planning to fence off 20 ac and get it setup like u showed. I am wondering how big do i need to make each corral if i am going to run 20 meat goats. It is good sandy loam and i can grow Bermuda in summer and Ry grass in the winter. Till now i have just had the hay cut every year and it dont make much money that way. Thanks JJ.

[@tawnyascharber9402]

Thank you for this series! Do you not need a brace corner post fir the high tensile fence? Also what spacing do yo set your fiberglass posts in?

[@ronaldsluss9479]

Great series sir. Can you use 5 or 6 strand high tensile fence as a perimeter fence? I'm starting from scratch (no fencing) and didn't want to fence twice. Thank you for all the useful information.

[@franciscoa.badillos.7983]

Mr. Judy what about reserving an area for year round production of green chop like king grass, Sudan grass, etc that can be irrigated for the dry season to serve as as a savior. Taking about the 5 acre farm of course, or just produce during the grass growing season and sell all the livestock every year?

[@robertrichardson6088]

Could you ever show a video of how you take up high tensile wire?

[@lynxacresb5331]

What type of livestock panels would you use for the corrals? Like would you use the 34” tall hog panels? Or a cattle or combo or sheep/utility panel, that are all taller. Also, I have barbed wire, but they’re on wood posts. I’ve debating taking the barbed wire off and putting field fence up with a hot wire on top.

[@user-nu1dd4ds3u]

"Hey Greg, I'm in the process of relocating to North Carolina, and I'm seriously considering starting a small herd of Black Angus cattle. Not for business, but because I've always found the presence of these beautiful animals to be incredibly therapeutic. There's something about watching them that's just soothing. I'm curious, how many acres do you think would be the minimal requirement for a small herd of 25-30 Black Angus cattle? I want to ensure they have ample space and are well taken care of. Looking forward to your insights. Thanks for all your informative videos! Best regards,

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

To graze 25 cow/calf pairs and not run out of grass in a drought, you need 4 acres per cow/calf. There are folks out there that will tell you 1 acre per pair, go look at their pastures, putting green landscape. Always stock your farm like you are in a drought and you will likely never run out of grass.

[@jmcalister36]

Thanks for all the great information! I plan on starting a sheep herd in Arkansas. What post spacing do you prefer for a perimeter fence using timeless posts?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

16-20 feet on flat ground. Hill ground 12-14 feet.

[@wallacewimmer5191]

🎉

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

I beg to differ about sheep not hurting you. I got caught off guard by a ram once. Yes, I know you don't take your eyes off a ram, but he wasn't supposed to be where he was, had no clue he was in the runin. My back was out of whack for awhile, got to see my chiropractor for a few extra visits.

[@ddubsr5886]

That’s because the ram doesn’t fear you. You probably used to pet it on its head and call it sweet names. Can’t do that folks

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

@@ddubsr5886 WRONG!!! He was NOT my ram, I rarely messed with him. Not saying his owner didn't do what you say (I don't know), but it certainly wasn't me!

[@carolinablonde88]

I agree. My kids aren't allowed in with my sheep. The ewes routinely bump into me and nearly knock me over. I've always got random bruises from moving sheep. My Ram has never charged me. He's terrified of me and I like it that way. Still, I know SO many people who have been seriously injured by sheep. Some were accidents, some were not

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Folks, you are the predator in your flock!! Do not keep any sheep that shows signs if being aggressive. We have never had a ram or ewe show signs of aggression since we culled. Any sheep that lowers its head or comes one step toward you should be lamb burger or sold. There is no excuse for being hurt by a sheep, period.

[@carolinablonde88]

@Greg Judy Regenerative Rancher mine aren't aggressive, but they do bump into me just like they do each other. They'd certainly knock over my kids. I 100% agree that aggressive animals should be culled, period. But to say that sheep won't hurt you or your children is a fallacy. For a newbie, that could be a deadly mistake. World wide, sheep kill a lot of people. Even experienced folks can get hurt. My 4H leader had sheep her whole life. They bred and showed, so hers were well handled and she knew them like the back of her hand. She also culled for ANY signs of aggression and preached that to us often. One day, her Ram snapped. He was one out of her oldest line that she had for decades. If she didn't have her pistol on her, he absolutely would have killed her. Even with her quick thinking and kill shot, he managed to break multiple bones and lacerated her spleen. Her back wasn't turned either. She was walking into the pen to toss hay and as she reached the middle of the pen, he charged. He certainly could have killed her

[@RoryVanucchi]

😊

[@karencunningham6785]

Greg is it necessary to have someone come fertilize your acreage before you start with cattle? Thank you for the inspiration. Love your videos!

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

I would take a soil test to see what your lacking before I did anything.

[@jenniexfuller]

Greg, those timeless posts - if I can’t reliably put in Gallagher? spike portable fence posts or the electric Poultry netting spike posts in the ground (it’s an orange one with an attached reel with 4 lines and apparently you can switch where the lines run because there’s lots of choices, like with the timeless posts), will I be able to use the timeless fence posts and actually get them in the ground where our soil is really rocky here in Stone County, MO? Or is there a way to still make it work if the answer is probably not? What are your thoughts on the tumble wheels? I think that’s what they call.

[@eloymarquez4783]

See positive negative fencing

[@thevikingfarmerhd4039]

In your next educational video you make, can you talk about what pasture and grass to grow and how to go about planting it and when to plant. And if the land is raw untouched dirt. I would like to raise corn and soy free meat chickens and eggs and grass-fed grass-finished cows or even a buffalo. I'm from California planing on moving to a rural lot/land in California. I do know it can be difficult at first but would still like to learn how to do it right the first time. I also know a little big about the soil food web since I've been sick and learning more about agriculture and growing medical medicine for my Aunt who has stage 4 lung cancer. I want to learn so I can feed my family and not have them eat toxic food from the grocery store. Thank you so much for your videos you make and the hard work you do.

[@AngelMGordon]

Hey @The Viking Farmer HD Just a suggestion > start with the chickens (rotational net ranging). Don't try to jump into to many species of animals to fast. Sheep might be the 2nd animals. But my advice stay away from Buffalo! If your heart is set on someday having, 1st go work where they are successfully ranched. Those bison are like deadly tigers, not pet kittens. Best wishes on your future and farming.

[@thevikingfarmerhd4039]

That's what I was planning on doing, is starting small with chickens and work my why up slowly as I get more knowledgeable. Just not sure what type of pasture I should plant and grow so my chickens has everything they need to be healthy and be corn and soy free. I kinda want to stay away from buying chicken feed and just grow pasture that has everything that they need for there vitamins and minerals. Thank you for helping.

[@AngelMGordon]

@@thevikingfarmerhd4039 since chickens don't live on grasses alone. You might look up what mixs of grazing grass for sheep would work for your area/climate. Really unless the field is dirt, void of all plants. Just keep field mowed 4-6 inches range and let nature fill whatsoever it wants. If you have a bad area with thistles, that means calcium is low in that spot. Weeds will grow, but they pull up calcium with deep roots. So mowing often will help deposit calcium on surface. Plus not allow thistles to go to seed. Remember Non GMO corn is ok, just not feeding corn only. Chickens need a wide range of ingredients in diet. Being omnivores [they not vegans] bugs, meats, vegetables table scrapes. You can even grow them feed gardens and give herb clippings. Comfrey grows easy also. Plantain & dandelions are good for people, bees, and animals. If you just want grass grazers then geese would be better option. Ducks & chickens need the bugs/meat proteins. When you get your land, have the soil tested. Then you will know what's lacking. But don't use any commercial fertilizer! [ yucky]. Read up on how to grow soil, with healthy natural microbiology. Feed the soil! It feeds all grasses, crops and animals. There is a difference in dirt or soil. Dirt is dead, soil has life in it. Read a bunch of permaculture techniques in healing the land.

[@wherewildthingsroam3836]

Hi Greg and Jan! Been watching for years and finally starting out in VT. Can you provide insight on the fiber-glass T-posts in extreme cold climate like the NE USA?

[@cdf01]

Hello, Timeless are made of vinyl. They have a UV resistant coating. They maintain flexibility even during my Michigan winter. I cut several tree limbs off the wire and the nearby post pop back up. Hope this helps.

[@wherewildthingsroam3836]

@cdf01 thanks for your info! Much appreciated.

[@CMVBrielman]

On your topic of spending a lot of money on corrals, do you have any advice on beautifying up fencing (without interfering with its function)? Mu family’s farm happens to be adjacent to some upscale housing and between that and my own preferences, I want the front-facing fencing to be pretty. I’m thinking something like a split rail fence with some high tensile wire running through it (electrified or not).

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

If your using split rail , that is not secure enough for a corral. When animals are confined in smaller spaces, the perimeter area needs to be stout enough to withstand cattle crowding and pushing on the exterior of the corral.

[@ReubenBen]

Great info, do you mean 8” off the ground, then 15” above the 8” mark? 7” between the two wires seems tight but that might be the intent. As always, many thanks!

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

No. 8” from ground for first wire. 15” off ground for second wire.

[@1337farm]

Is it possible to have sheep in a system like this in east TN without worming?

[@johnturnbull2969]

I don't think you mentioned the spacing on the Timeless posts, or I missed it. Thank you. jrt

[@wadepatton2433]

he has many fencing videos, you might search the channel to find a LOT more information.

[@tedbastwock3810]

In a reply to another comment on this video Greg says 16-20 feet on flat ground. Hill ground 12-14 feet.

[@elijahsanders3547]

QUESTION: What about lambs? Can 5 acres support 10 ewes and their lambs until 1 year old, or how would you manage that?

[@LaidBackHomesteader]

🎉 timing for me I have 4.25 acres and will be fencing around the boundary this Saturday for 4 ewes and 6 lambs born this week. ive said ive never held a lamb let alone delivered one and.i have no intention of getting too close. Is fluke a problem where you are? I've been told I can't raise sheep without vaccination. The hot wire is the bases for strip grassing thanks

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Never had any problems with liver fluke

[@jonathonspafford1601]

Great video series. This exactly describes my farm situation. Question: If the perimeter offset fence is 2-wire (8"/15") and the center fence is 3-wire (6"/12"/18"), how are you connecting between them for the cross-fencing? Are you using two or three reels for each cross-fence? And which wires are you connecting between?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

We are using 2 wires for our cross fencing now that we have goats mixed in with the sheep. 10” height and 18” height.

[@jonathonspafford1601]

@@gregjudyregenerativerancher Thanks for the quick reply, Greg! So if I am just sticking with sheep, I assume connect the 6" wire on the center fence with the 8" wire on the perimeter fence and the 12" wire on the center fence with the 15" wire on the perimeter fence?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

@jonathonspafford1601 yes that is correct.

[@KelleysVideos2011]

What size field fence can you get away with for sheep on your perimeter? I.E the spacing of the holes. 4x4 sheep fence is a lot pricier now than the 4x6 or think I have even seen 4x12. Thanks, great little series and see you in may at the grazing workshop.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

4x6 will work fine.

[@adelinawarriner6259]

Plan for the lamb size.. know my kids(goat) walk right through 4x6

[@KelleysVideos2011]

@@adelinawarriner6259 I have some 4x4 now and some of my trouble makers like to get their heads stuck and/or rip out their ear tags.

[@drtootsi]

Greg, in your last video you opened up a can of worms for me with the woven wire fence comment. See I've got small kids and neighbors up close (and EVERYBODY has a dog or more at their place around here). I've been slowly working on the missus to get the hi-tensile electrified fence idea un-vetoed, but now you go and talk about having a woven wire fence in my situation. So which is it? How am I going to do the subdivisions without electrified perimeter? I much prefer the idea of not having to cook my kids on an 8KV electric fence, mind you.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

If you watch the video I explained it. You run a single strand of hi tensile electric wire inside the woven wire offset from it around 6”. This is what you power your paddocks with that allow you to rotate your animals around the farm.

[@tedbastwock3810]

I believe what you are looking for starts around 4:45 of the Part 1 video

[@kimrall7350]

Can the white post be driven into rock?

[@ihitthosenick7958]

Hey Greg I'm thinking about grazing a few beef cattle would this be a good post to use and high tensile electric whire? Also where can I find these posts?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Timeless Fence Post, google it. They work great for cattle fencing.

[@bobbyfoster1417]

Hey Greg with the timeless post how far apart should you use the t post with holes, and how many runners post with the hooks should you use.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

16-20 feet for permanent posts. What are you calling runner posts??

[@bobbyfoster1417]

@@gregjudyregenerativerancher I know timeless has the post with holes, but they also have the post that you can hook the wire into (slotted I guess). That's what I was referring to runner post. I'm guessing they just help keep your strands separated over long runs. I was curious if you could space the post out further and then use those runner post in-between, and it could potentially be more cost effective.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Never have used those type before. It sounds like it would work to strengthen up the area between your permanent posts.

[@alexandersardelis8442]

When you say "2 steers or 10 ewes" does that include the lambs of the ewes? Or is it more like 4 ewes plus offspring?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

You go by weight if the animals. An animal unit is 1000 lbs. That could be 1 cow that weighs 1000 lbs, 10 lambs that weigh 100 lbs or two steers that weigh 500 lbs each.

[@ddubsr5886]

There are not enough videos of HOW to install the timeless fence post and install the wire. Please make detailed step by step video. You have one but it wasn’t detailed enough

[@wadepatton2433]

He has way more than one fencing video. Try searching his channel. I've seen half a dozen more "how to" fence videos by GJ and I have ZERO questions about how to do it now. Don't get hung up on the name, just look for all of Greg's fencing videos.

[@fidelsseecoomar3279]

Can this parameter fence keep the livestock guardian dogs in

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Yes

[@henriquef5421]

What are the boots the Greg does recommend? Could not understand their name.

[@wadepatton2433]

"HISEA" I've not tried them, but am quite happy with my Dryshod--but Dryshod costs way more. I'm going to try Hisea next time, but I have two pairs of Dryshod to wear out first. Have two years on the first pair (surveying, not farming).

[@sleepersix]

Hisea

[@NZAgriculture]

If you're looking for a laugh, put your you down when you get to 13 minutes...