Livestock boundaries · rotational grazing
Electric fence for cattle containment
Purpose
Contain
Electrified strands
3
Top wire height
107 cm
Measured fence voltage target
5,000 V
Energizer
Size to total fence load
Installation
Moderate
Typical starting configuration
Behaviour & design
Electric containment relies on learned avoidance. Training and a consistent fence pulse matter alongside wire placement. Calves and mixed herds need a layout matched to their size.
Three-wire example, rounded from 18 / 30 / 42 inches. All three are live in this illustration. Use 5,000 V as a starting commissioning target; confirm with your installer and manual. Temporary trained-herd divisions can differ from boundary fencing.
Wire layout & construction
| Wire | cm | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46 | Live |
| 2 | 76 | Live |
| 3 | 107 | Live |
Conductor
Compare smooth fence conductors by resistance per kilometre and breaking strength. Choose visible, suitable polywire for temporary divisions; verify its resistance before long runs. Never electrify barbed wire.
Posts & corners
Set post spacing for terrain, conductor sag and the manufacturer's tension limits. Brace corners and gates; use suitable insulators and lead-out cable. More posts may be needed on uneven ground.
Choose by fence load, not acreage
Energized wire length ≈ perimeter × live strands. PEMALL's existing estimator also considers vegetation. Its Joule band is a preliminary stored-energy estimate, not a guaranteed operating voltage. Conductor resistance, grounding, animal pressure and expansion must be checked against manufacturer load data.
Calculate & find components →Power options
AC / mains
For reliable power nearby. Use an approved mains-input energizer and weather-protected installation.
12 V battery
For compatible DC energizers. Plan charging, inspections and spare capacity before the battery runs low.
Solar + battery
For remote farms. Size from actual energizer consumption, shade and cloudy-day autonomy; protect equipment from flooding and theft.
Grounding & daily checks
Follow the energizer manual for earth rods, separation and earth-return wiring. Rain does not guarantee a good earth system. Test the far end and gates with a fence tester, clear tropical growth, and inspect after storms. Correct leakage and grounding before increasing energizer size.
Build a system for my farm
Estimate wire requirements here, then continue into PEMALL's existing product and quotation flow. Specialist applications remain subject to site review.
Questions before you build
Is one wire enough?
Sometimes for trained adult cattle in managed internal divisions. It is not a blanket recommendation for calves, boundary fences or predator exclusion.
Can I choose an energizer just from the animal?
No. Two farms with the same animal can have very different wire loads, vegetation, grounding and power needs. Use the planner, then verify the actual fence voltage during commissioning.
Sources & scope
These sources describe particular species and sites. They support starting guidance, not a certified design for your farm. Numeric gaps are intentional where evidence is insufficient.