

#FARMER JUMPING LINE ART INSTALL#
If a fence around the entire boundary is not affordable, then install the parts which are most helpful in your operations. It will also help confine your livestock to protect both them and the driving public from possible highway collisions. This will establish a fixed property line between you and your neighbor. Locating Permanent Fencesįirst, a permanent fence around the farm boundary is highly desirable. If you have fields on opposite sides of a road or highway, locate gates opposite each other so livestock can go directly across. Wherever possible, locate gates and passageways for livestock and equipment in the corner of each field closest to farm buildings. They can be installed for about half the price of concrete. Specifications for such "heavy use areas" can be found at your local NRCS office. If lanes are used frequently, it may be desirable to grade the area and install geotech fabric covered with six inches of compacted crusher-run gravel in the lane. If a well-drained location is impossible, plan on movable lane fences which can be relocated after a year or two. Locate lanes in the driest areas possible, such as along a terrace or natural ridge otherwise gullies may develop after repeated use. Keep in mind that a permanent pasture located between other fields can be considered a lane itself.

Ideally, a lane should connect livestock buildings and working pens with every field that eventually may be pastured (Figure 3). Locate permanent lanes to avoid erosion yet allow access to as many fields as possible. Wherever possible, plan for straight fences they are cheaper and easier to build. Pastures located at the end of terraced land provide good grass receiving areas for excess water flow. If a fence must be located at the outlet end of a terrace, allow for a fence location that will not block the outlet water movement from channels. If your field needs to be cross-fenced, try to plan a contour fence parallel to a terraced ridge. Avoid running your fences down-slope across terraces. If possible, locate fences in terraced fields at terrace's crest and other natural water divides. These land assignments are made based on uses that will return the greatest possible profit for each type of land.Ĭonsider the following points when developing your plan. Divide your land into areas that are best suited for: (1) permanent pastures or hay production, (2) woodlands not to be pastured, (3) woodlands that can be pastured and (4) cultivated crop production (Figure 2). If an NRCS plan is not available for your farm, use the sketch of your land which you previously obtained. You can also obtain one from any commercial aerial survey firm listed in the classified section of telephone directories in major cities. You can get one that includes your farm from the Farm Service Agency (formerly Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service) or your local tax office. Aerial photographs have been made of practically all farming areas.
#FARMER JUMPING LINE ART PLUS#
A good aerial photo shows details of the present farm layout, plus some indications of the lay of the land. The easiest way to prepare a sketch of your farm is to start with an aerial photograph. It is not wise to construct new divider fences if boundary fences are in disrepair and failing. But look ahead to the day when these fences, too, may have to be replaced. If present fences are in good shape you may want to develop plans around them. This is true whether fencing an area for the first time or replacing old, worn-out fences. Good fences should last from 25 to 50 years. Planning the Fenceįencing is a long term investment. Whether you select permanent or temporary fencing, careful consideration of uses and proper maintenance is necessary.

Temporary fences - those intended to stay in place only a short time - need not be so sturdily constructed and may be made of less expensive materials. Permanent fences - those intended to last for many years with minimal repairs - should be well constructed and made of good materials. This is especially important on farms where fences represent a large investment and their location and arrangement may affect production efficiency. Whatever its purpose, one should plan a fence carefully. Fences may be used to protect or divide property, to improve its appearance, to confine animals, or to exclude animals.
