Structure and material list for one acre hoy yard?

Hi,

I've been considering building a one acre hop yard. I managed to locate plans with a material list online and would like feedback about it. Does it seem like a good way to construct a yard? Could I use malleable wire clips instead of forged to save money. Are their any other plans available online?

Thanks for any input.
http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/wp-content/uploads/Hopyard-labor-materials-costs.pdf
http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/wp-content/uploads/Rainville-Building-a-Hopyard.pdf

ETA: Message header should read "hops" not "hoys" and to add links.

Link?

If you are trying to save money I wouldn't get the turnbuckles. You can use a comealong and the wire gripper to tighten up the lines. The rope/wire clamps I just ordered were $18 for 100. 5/16" Cable seems excessive too. You can probably save money there as well. Ask Steve at Schmidt hops to do a work up for price for the supplies.

http://www.schmidthops.com/

There are various things you can do to save money, like finding free/cheap poles from utility companies or similar, but in the end the price of the rhizomes doesn't change and that's a big chunk. Everything else is based on your aversion to risk. Go with 1/4", 5/16", or less depending on how sure you are of the rest of the design. I like turnbuckles because we are constantly adjusting but you could do the same with a comealong and wire gripper. Likewise, we get rid of the cost of the W clip but replace it with a wire running a foot off the ground to tie the twine too.

In the end figure on $10k for set up (maybe a little less if you find deals) plus cost of well (if needed), tractor or pickup, another $1k for drying (2nd year) and anything you need for harvesting. On going, there is weeding, nutrients, pest management, etc. Figure 20 hours a week the first couple of years to get it established plus another 5 to 10 hours a week explaining the question, "What you got going on here?"

PariahVineyard said:

If you are trying to save money I wouldn't get the turnbuckles. You can use a comealong and the wire gripper to tighten up the lines. The rope/wire clamps I just ordered were $18 for 100. 5/16" Cable seems excessive too. You can probably save money there as well. Ask Steve at Schmidt hops to do a work up for price for the supplies.

http://www.schmidthops.com/

Click to expand...

Second on steve. Great to work with, Helped design our yard and was an easy one stop shop!



Just a small shot but poles were from steve, and we used his design and all stranded cable.

Of course this was sunday. Snow started falling around 5 and ended up with 5-6" by monday morning

Thanks for all of the replies. I will give Schmidt's a call and see what he suggests. Does anyone have plans or a material list with prices that they could share with me? Please feel free to PM or email me. I would be very interested in seeing how you built your yards and materials used.

Thank you very much!