Every new rotational grazier asks the same two questions: how far apart do step-in posts go, and how many do I need to buy? Here's the working math we use on our own paddocks.
The spacing rule
On level ground, space step-in posts 50–75 feet apart on a single-strand polybraid fence. Trained cattle respect the wire, not the posts — the posts just keep wire height consistent. Tighten up when the ground doesn't cooperate:
- Dips and rises: add a post at every grade change so the wire doesn't float high in a dip (calves walk under) or pin low on a rise (shorts on grass)
- Corners and direction changes: every turn gets a post — no exceptions
- Wind-prone open ground: tighten toward 40–50 ft so gusts can't slap the wire around
- Sheep and goats: multi-strand fences want 30–50 ft so strand spacing stays true
Worked examples (single-strand, 60 ft spacing)
- 1-acre square paddock — about 835 ft of perimeter → 14–17 posts with corners
- 5-acre square paddock — about 1,870 ft of perimeter → 31–36 posts
- Daily strip moves — one 660 ft cross-wire moved each day → 11–12 posts per wire (run two wires and leapfrog the back fence so you're never rebuilding, just moving)
Notice the pattern: a box of 50 posts covers a 5-acre paddock build or a two-wire strip system with spares for the corners and dips. That's why we sell them by the box.
The box economics
By the box of 50, the EverGraze Tread-In runs $2.90 a post ($144.99/box), the FenceGard $3.50, and the O'Brien Tredaline $5.65. All three carry 8 wire positions; which one fits your operation comes down to tape use, visibility, and budget — the full spec table is in our tread-in post comparison guide.
Don't forget the rest of the kit
Posts are the cheap part of a portable fence. A working daily-move setup is a box of posts, a geared reel of polybraid, a gate handle, and an energizer sized with our free charger calculator. Free shipping on orders over $150 — and if you want a second opinion on your paddock map, call the shop: 1-888-251-3934.
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