08 Sep Emma: Finish Building the Fence, Check!

We’re still on Dave and Julie’s farm doing odds and ends that include building fence, and tinning the shed. There are also the normal farm chores that need to be done, too.

I was recently asked by a follower via e-mail: “I’ve build miles of fence in my life, but WOW! Obviously, it is some sort of corral, but for what?  Some of those moose, giraffes, or elephants?”

Well, actually the fence is for bulls. The fence does seem a little extreme for bulls, but here are some reasons for making this fence so big – and sturdy.

• The fence is build with railroad ties that are buried four feet into the ground with cement and rock support, and guardrails that make up the fence part. This is to prevent the bulls from going through the fence, and having to rebuild.
• This fence will never have to be fixed because of the way we built it, and the materials we used. This fence will last not only through Dave’s farming career, but his son Andy’s as well. Granted, the materials for this fence were about 40 percent higher, but in the long run money will be saved by only building once without needing repairs.
• Dave has bulls, sheep, and pigs. He’ll use the fence as a shoot where the animals will be herded for transport off the farm via semi. It’s much easier to lead animals through a fence that appears to be a wall so they are unable to see through it.
• In South Dakota the snow can get pretty deep. This fence will stand no matter how deep the snow gets. The height will also allow for having livestock on either side and utilizing as much space as possible – the animals won’t be able to get through it. Because this is a working corral it needs a much more stable fence because of usage – and number of animals in a small area.

Here are some photos I snapped of the completed fence.

The guardrail fencing makes this fence sturdy.

This fence looks pretty good!

The guys are putting the finishing touches on the fence, but I think there may be more chit-chat than actual working going on. (L to R) Joel, Dan, Joe (neighbor), Thad, Dave and the dogs Max and Star.

Chrisoph, always in the midst of things 🙂

As I mentioned, we’re not only building fence – but getting odds and ends done like tinning the shed.

(L to R) Dan, Christoph, Grandpa Green, Andy, Joel and Thad put tin siding on one of Dave’s shed. They won’t have to paint again, and the snow won’t get into the cracks like before.

As you can see the Misener crew has been busy! We’ve also managed to bring two combines, two grain trailers and two headers to Rock Rapids, Iowa. We’ll be doing some fall work there and have been preparing.

Be safe and God bless.