Portable Fence Setup Guide
A step by step guide to setting up portable electric fence for rotational grazing, for livestock producers moving animals between temporary paddocks. Use it as a reference in the field or office, and adapt the steps to your own operation.
GuideForages, Pasture & GrazingFree PDF
The steps on this page
- Plan the fence route and water access
- Gather posts, reels and charger
- Check the charger and ground system
- Set corner posts first
- Run the wire and tension it evenly
- Add gates and a crossing point
- Test the fence end to end
- Move animals and record the shift
How to use this guide
Pin it up in the shop or barn. The numbered steps are a short reminder, and the notes lines are for details specific to your operation.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with USDA NRCS and eXtension.
For more in this area, see the cow-calf and ranch know-how. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Horse Starts Podcast About Rural Anxiety, Becomes Voice of the Fence-Sitting Generation, and farming farm stories.