What You Need To Know When Buying T Posts and Fencing

deer fence sonoma countySome say that for a vineyard owner the most important task, more than tasting the vine and keeping the quality up to mark, is to handle the fencing that runs in proximity of the vineyard property.

Part of installing the T posts and the fencing is going through the process of buying everything as well.  Most vineyard owners go to the market without fully knowing what a T post is and what functions you should focus on when choosing one. Whether you have to fence your experimental yard or acres of vineyard, this can also happen when you are shopping online as well.

Let’s start with the fencing options. Most of the vineyard owners buy low quality fencing. They are not aware whether it is the steel or wood fencing types that make the best fence. This wastes the owner’s money and can lead to premature repairs. Part of purchasing the Vineyard fences is that you know the size of land that you are going to surround.

T Posts

Let’s talk about what T posts really are. Vineyard T posts are specifically those which are considered most efficient posts for a vineyard, even though there are tons of other types of posts available. T posts are posts that can be planted vertically and are placed in such a way that there is equal distance between them. The number of posts you will need depends on the length of the vineyard that you have to work with. If you are shopping for T posts and other vineyard supplies for the first time then you might want to stick to steel or wood T posts. They have a longer life. You can also compare prices before setting on the final supplies for your vineyard. You might need T posts for making trellises or supporting grapevine.

Vineyard Fencing

Next comes the vineyard fencing, in vineyards many people believe that fencing is meant for decoration purposes. Paying attention to the different types of fences and the particular purpose they offer is just as important as the different types of fences are meant for keeping the vineyard safe from animals such as deer. When you are purchasing fences the first thing that you need to look into is what they are made of, we are talking about the style and shape of the fence. In the same way the shape and style of the fencing itself, matters a lot too.

You can buy all the tools and supplies such as T posts and fences from Cameron&Cameron. Check their online catalogue for the best quality products in online retail.

How To Make a Trellis From A “T Post”

t post sonoma county

T post trellis is best for setting a single trellis in a house or a small home garden. This is what they are majorly popular for among consumers. However the same can also be said for buying fences that will support acres of grapevines. The best thing about T posts is that they can be simply inserted in to the ground. All you need is a post hole driver – it resembles a pipe except with a closed end. Depending on what you want to use the trellis for you can use a single strand of wire for the trellis or use a couple of them to give more space for training the grapevines.

  • The first step is that you push in wooden stakes at each end of the area where your T posts will be put up (not at each point where you will drive the t posts). Now you need to attach a string to each of the wooden stakes creating a frame of the entire vineyard area that will be covered.
  • The second step is to mark the place every 20 feet or so. You can use spray paint or any other material to mark where the T post will go.
  • It is time that you install the T posts over these markers.The right way to install T posts is that you need to set the T posts into the ground up until the point when the ground anchor plate is no longer visible and is stuck firmly in the ground.
  • Now you need to insert earth anchors into the dirt at approximately 45 degree angle from the outside of the end posts.
  • The next step is to pull a strand of 12 ½ gauge high tensile wire across the row. You need to hold the wire around 2 to 4 inches towards the posts. The end of the wires will then have to be wound around the hooked ends of the earth augers so that the wire is steady.
  • You will need a wire tensioning device now. Use this to match the wire to 250 pounds. You can fit the device on the wire and then pump or twist the tensioner until you reach the desired 250 pounds. If you want to avoid the guess work you should get a wire tensioner with a built in gauge.
  • Now attach the wire to the T posts with T post wire clips starting from one end of the fence. Push a wire clip in from the V shaped side so the hooks face the open side of the posts.
  • Remember to insert wire clips to stick the wire to all the other T posts.

Check out Cameron & Cameron Inc. to get the best ranch and vineyard supplies.

Do You Know Your Fence Types?

Ranch Fence Sonoma

Ranch and vineyard fencing may remind us of those old dark tinted movies with the protagonist riding on a horse around the property, only stopping at the fence to catch up with either the sheriff serving bad news or his sweetheart from outside.

Coming back to the real world, fences are used for much more practical purposes. Since they serve several different functions they also happen to come in different designs and structures.

Wood Rail Horse Fence

A wood rail horse fence is the most conventional sort of ranch fence. This is the type that has only one railing running in between them and has a short post all through it. However the main drawback that ranch owners faced with this fence were loose nails. Plus spooked horses could run over and break the fence boards very easily.

Pipe Fence

Pipe Fence is yet the most popular fence there is. It includes a piece of metal pipe that is welded firmly into the posts. You can see typically three nails inserted in a line on them. The best part about getting this fence is that it requires very little upkeep and maintenance. The only drawback is that it can prove to be relatively expensive to install.

Electric Wire

The Electric Wire Fence is also commonly referred to as Hot Wire fencing and is only used as a temporary fence. Most ranch owners prefer this because it requires lesser hassle to put up and it is also an inexpensive investment. One of the major problems with the electric wire fence is that it is not durable. Most ranch owners report that the wires break off and fall down from time to time.

PVC Fence

The PVC fence, also known as the Vinyl fence has many advantages. It is made with incredibly visible material and looks incredibly appealing. Moreover it comes in various colors and sizes as well unlike the rest of the fences. The drawbacks are that PVC rails are prone to having their posts pop out when they are pushed on by animals.

Wire Mesh

The Wire mesh fence has more than a couple of varieties. Owners use this because this is by far the easiest fence type to install. It is also preferred because quite conveniently it does not incur much damage if animals like ranch horses were to run into it. The mesh chosen for ranches are typically ones whose holes are smaller than a typical colt’s hove size.

Some fences serve as markers outlining land and property while others are present to protect the animals and livestock. When choosing what fence you want to put up it is essential that you evaluate which option best suits your needs specifically. Check out Cameron & Cameron Inc. for the best ranch and vineyard supplies.

Different Types of Wire Fencing

wire fence north bayAlmost every farm and ranch supply store offers multiple types of wire fencing to meet basically any fencing need you may have, whether the fence is meant to keep livestock in, keep predators out, or simply to mark the perimeters of your property. If you’re in market for a wire fence, consider the many different types and sizes of wire fencing available, and also research and ask around to find out exactly what type of wire fence would benefit your specific needs.

Common wire fence types include galvanized wire mesh, PVC coated hex wire, fixed knot field wire, barbed and non-barbed wire, high tensile smooth wire and welded wire panels. There are also wire fencing options available that are specifically designed to keep birds, foxes, deer, rabbits and other pests out.

Galvanized Wire Mesh
Galvanized wire mesh comes in a variety of diameters, heights and gauges, including 14 gauge, 16 gauge, 19 gauge, 20 gauge, 22 gauge, 23 gauge, 24 gauge and so on.

This type of wire fencing typically comes in large rolls, ranging from 10 feet to 50 feet to 100 feet long.

PVC Coated Hex Wire
The PVC coating on this type of fencing is applied after galvanizing, and it protects the wire from rust and rot even after years of exposure to the sun and the elements, providing great durability and versatility.

PVC coated hex wire is ideal for containing livestock and poultry, as well as keeping out birds and other unwanted pests.

Fixed Knot Field Wire
Fixed knot field wire fences are considered to last roughly three to four times longer than ordinary farm and ranch fences because the fixed knots do not slip, move or lose grip when subjected to pressure by livestock.

The fixed knots increase the vertical strength of the fence by including a separate wire piece wrapped tightly around the line wire and the stay wire. This allows for more space between posts, which reduces the cost of materials and construction.

Another benefit to the strength, durability and elasticity of fixed knot field wire fences is its ability to resist stretching.

Welded Wire Panels
Welded wire panels are great for livestock because the heavy duty wire rods are welded at every intersection, and then the panels are heavily galvanized with a thick zinc coating.

This type of wire fencing is great for hay stack protection, loafing areas, corrals, runs and pens, and stall dividers.

High Tensile Smooth Wire
High tensile smooth wire fencing comes in strands and can easily be used with electricity if desired.

The wires are flexible and can be bent, wrapped, tied and/or clamped. Advantages include low maintenance, low cost, long life, neat appearance and ease of use.

Barbed Wire
Barbed wire consists of one wire or a strand of wires with small, sharp and tightly twisted wire pieces attached in regular intervals.

There are also non-barbed wire fencing products available on the market. Non-barbed wire is perfect for sections of fence where strength is required but barbs are not needed. Non-barbed wire also helps prevent damage to prized livestock.

Different Types of Fence Post

santa rosa fence postGood, sturdy fence posts are the heart and soul of a proper and useful fence. The posts that make up a line of fencing can be made from wood, steel, plastic, aluminum or another type of strong, solid material. Each type of fence post serves a unique function, and it is the sum of all of the parts that make for a fence that a rancher or farm owner can be proud of.

Different types of fence posts are outlined below, as well as a couple tools and accessories that come in handy when constructing and completing a fence.

End Posts: An end post is only punched on one side because it is a fence post that marks the end of a line of fencing. End posts are also used as terminal posts and as gate posts.

Corner Posts: A good fence requires a well-braced corner post. A corner post is usually larger than a line post because it must withstand a large, constant amount of pressure. Corner posts must be designed and installed with strength in mind.

Line Posts: Line posts are the intermediate fence posts placed every ten feet or less to support the top rail or tension/barb wire.

Gate Posts: The hinges and/or latches of a gate are attached to the gate post. A gate post may also be used as a terminal post.

Terminal Posts: A terminal post may also be an end post, gate post, corner post or pull post. It is the basic load-bearing post to or from which a line of fencing is stretched.

Pull Posts: Pull posts are used in the process of creating a fence along a steep grade. These fences are often referred to as “stair-steps” because the equal sections of fence at different levels create the appearance of stairs or steps along the grade. The terminal posts used to change the elevation along the line of fencing are known as pull posts.

Post Cap: A top that is tightly fit onto fence posts to keep out rain water.

Post Driver: A post driver is a tool that is used to drive fencing posts down into the ground.

There is a lot more to building a fence than just driving posts into the ground and repeatedly stretching wire or wood boards across them. If the fence posts are not sturdy enough to withstand the tremendous amounts of pressure exerted on them, then the fence will sag and eventually fail. This is especially true if the fence itself is meant to contain livestock, because horses are known to enjoy scratching their heads and necks on the top wires of a fence and cows continuously reach under the bottom wire or rail to get to the better grass on the other side. And sometimes it is even more important that a fence keep pests and predators out, rather than keeping the good animals in. Dogs and coyotes are notorious for being crafty when it comes to getting inside a fence that contains sheep or other tasty treats, so a strong and tight fence is essential for multiple reasons.