Wherever possible make your paddocks square, as this allows better pasture management with more even grazing. Long narrow paddocks create more walking and "footpaths" while the backs of the paddocks are often under grazed.

Where possible a laneway down the centre or side of the subdivision should be incorporated. This will assist with stock movement and access.

The size of your paddocks is not as vitally important as the number of paddocks. Obviously both are relative to the size of your ranch and the number and types of animals stocked. The number of paddocks is important so as to allow for controlled grazing, the locking up of hay and silage paddocks and the flexibility of longer rotations during times of feed shortage.

Subdivision of hill country deserves careful planning. Wherever possible, fencelines should follow the contour of the land so that sunny slopes, shady slopes and flat land are all kept separate. This allows for better pasture management especially in areas prone to erosion.

Strip grazing can also be incorporated to gain even better pasture management.

Mount your mains powered energiser under cover on a wall, and out of reach of children. Keep it away from machinery and flammable material. Don't place it in an existing meter box. For best results locate the energiser as close as practical to the fence line and if possible in the centre of the area being fenced.

For large layouts, it may be necessary to use more than one energiser. It is often better to use two or three to supply separate circuits on your property. This simplifies your circuits, giving each energiser reserve power and makes fault finding easier. It also gives you a back-up if one "requires maintenance".

Solar powered energisers are designed for remote areas without mains power. Position the unit near the centre of the fence and away from animal contact or shadow. Face solar panels toward the equator at an angle that faces the sun.

The use of cut out switches will greatly enhance the flexibility of your electric fence system. Careful placement of cut out switches will result in significant time savings.

Stafix Cut Out Switches incorporate all stainless steel contacts plus strong UV stabilised plastic bodies. The switches are clearly visible from a distance so you know if they are on or off.

Some of the major benefits of using Stafix Cut Out Switches are:

Fault finding. The switch enables you to isolate various sections of the fence making it quicker and easier to isolate any faults.

Safety and maintenance. Individual sections of fenceline can be isolated to do repairs without the need to turn the whole system off.

Time saving. You can isolate a section of fenceline anywhere on the farm without having to travel all the way back to the energiser.

Improve voltage. By switching off fencelines that are not in use, all energy will be directed on to the fencelines which are in use. This is particularly useful in times of rapid grass growth which may leak power from the bottom wires.

When choosing a design remember the following:

The average height of the animal(s) being controlled. Ensure that they can neither walk under nor over any of the wires. The size of the animals head. Ensure that they can not push their head easily between any of the wires.

The suggestions are based on flat land conditions. If the land you are fencing is hilly, shorter post spacings will be required. These are recommendations only and the shape and contour of your farm together with your own farm management practices will dictate the final result.