Good fencing is the foundation of any successful farm or ranch. The right fence keeps livestock in, predators out, and maintains good relationships with neighbors.
Choosing the Right Fence
Consider Your Needs
- Animal type: Different livestock need different fencing
- Purpose: Perimeter, cross-fencing, or temporary
- Terrain: Flat, hilly, or heavily wooded
- Budget: Initial cost vs. long-term maintenance
- Lifespan: Temporary or permanent installation
Fence Types
Woven Wire (Field Fence)
- Best for: Sheep, goats, pigs
- Pros: Secure, durable, keeps out predators
- Cons: Expensive, labor-intensive to install
- Lifespan: 20-30 years with proper posts
High-Tensile Wire
- Best for: Cattle, horses, perimeter fencing
- Pros: Economical, low maintenance, covers distance easily
- Cons: Requires proper tensioning, less visible
- Lifespan: 30+ years
Electric Fencing
- Best for: All livestock, rotational grazing, temporary paddocks
- Pros: Affordable, flexible, portable, effective training
- Cons: Requires power source, animals need training
- Types: Permanent wire, polywire, netting
ā” Electric Fence Success
Train animals to electric fence in a small, secure area before turning them out. One or two zaps and they'll learn to respect it. Undertrained animals test fences!
Board Fencing
- Best for: Horses, high-visibility areas
- Pros: Attractive, highly visible, safe for horses
- Cons: Expensive, high maintenance, horses may chew
- Materials: Wood, vinyl, composite
Pipe/Steel Fencing
- Best for: Working areas, corrals, heavy-use zones
- Pros: Extremely durable, low maintenance
- Cons: Very expensive, difficult to install
Fence Posts
Post Types
- Wooden: Traditional, versatile, 15-25 year lifespan
- T-posts: Economical, easy to install, good for line posts
- Fiberglass: Lightweight, won't conduct electricity
- Concrete: Permanent, for corner/brace posts
Post Spacing
- High-tensile: 20-30 feet apart
- Woven wire: 12-15 feet apart
- Board fence: 8-10 feet apart
- Electric: Varies by system (15-50 feet)
Installation Tips
Corner and End Posts
These are critical! Corners take most of the fence tension:
- Use 6-8 inch diameter treated posts
- Set 3.5-4 feet deep
- Use proper bracing (H-brace or diagonal)
- Allow concrete to cure before tensioning
Line Posts
- Set 2-3 feet deep depending on frost line
- Keep tops level across spans
- Angle slightly outward from livestock pressure
Fencing by Animal
- Cattle: 4-5 strand high-tensile or electric
- Horses: Board, vinyl, or visible electric (no barbed wire!)
- Sheep: Woven wire or electric netting
- Goats: Woven wire with electric strand (escape artists!)
- Pigs: Woven wire or electric with hot wire at ground level
- Poultry: Electric netting or welded wire
Maintenance
- Walk fence lines monthly
- Test electric fences weekly
- Clear vegetation from electric fences
- Replace damaged posts promptly
- Re-tension wire seasonally
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