Look! A Fence Builder For Hire

Look! A Fence Builder For Hire FENCING Fence Systems 2-4-15 One of the less popular farm jobs is building fences. It isn't easy to find somebody to build them for you - unless you happen to live in Eastern South Dakota where Julius Young, of Winifred, builds fences for hire. The ex-farmer figures he has custom built 168 miles offence in the past 8 years. Most of those 168 miles of fence conof fence involving more than 53,000 posts and 8,400 miles of barbed wire in the past years. Most of those 8 miles of fence consist of steel posts with five barbed wires. "I don't put up any woven wire or electric fence. The new barbed wire will turn back hogs and sheep when the lower wires are placed close enough together," says Young. "For beef cattle, I sometimes have to run a hot wire in with the barbed wires. Young is a meticulous worker and uses good, strong materials. The farmer hiring him furnishes the steel posts and wire. Young works alone by the hour. The fencing "toolbox" he carries in his pickup consists of a hand-operated steel post driver, a winch-type fence stretcher and assorted hand tools. Corner posts are set in holes which the farmer usually puts in with his own power post hole digger. Corner posts are set 3 ft. deep and double braced for strength. In low spots, Young puts in wooden posts to keep the fence from lifting. Most of the barbed wire he uses has razor-sharp 2 pt. barbs about 1 in. long. "They usually turn back any animal after one encounter," Young points out. He doesn't know of any custom fencers in his area, or elsewhere. "It's a job that most people don't like, but I find it to be clean, healthy work." When he started custom fencing, Young advertised in a local paper. He has never had to advertise again as people spread the news by word of mouth. He has a waiting list of customers wanting him for fencing jobs. Young says he plans to retire soon as he is now past 65 years old, but he would like to fence 200 miles before he hangs up his driver and stretcher. Will somebody take over his custom fencing service when he retires? "Probably not," answers Young. "It's hard work, and many of the young people just aren't interested." For more details on his custom fencing service, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Julius Young, Box 52,' Winifred, S. Dak. 57076 (ph 605-485-2649).

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