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Protect your herd from themselves and trespassers or wildlife predators by investing in a high quality cattle fence. Proper cattle management requires installing the best possible fence for your farm and livestock needs.
From determining the fencing material cost, longevity, and performance to understanding every part of the installation process, our cattle fence guide will take you through every step of the planning and set-up process to help you find the best fence for your cattle.
Investing in the right type of cattle fence for your farm depends on how you plan to use your fence and the types of breeds and livestock you have on your property. Choosing the right fence from the start can save you time and money.
Beef cattle vs. Dairy cattle vs. Bulls
Beef cattle, which are stronger and heavier than dairy cows, require stronger fences compared to the lighter-duty fencing options for dairy cows. If you plan to have bulls on your property, you will need a fence that is high and strong enough to keep them in.
Livestock and wildlife
Consider the livestock you will keep on your property. You will also need to factor in any nearby wildlife. While you may want a durable and resistant fence to keep predators away from your livestock, you may also need to consider wildlife-friendly fencing to accommodate the wildlife that needs to migrate, find food, or shelter.
Budget and price
How big is your budget? Your budget will determine the quality of materials you can buy. Make sure to also consider the cost of maintaining your fence, durability, and longevity of your fence materials and construction/installation.
Local rules and regulations
Finally, you will need to consider your local government&#;s rules and regulations on cattle fencing which may include requiring wildlife-friendly fencing, restrictions on barbed wire fences in residential areas, and other fence design regulations.
In terms of the types of materials you will need for your livestock fence, here are a few common factors to consider when shopping around for different materials and options.
Generally, cattle fencing needs to be at least 49 inches high. Fencing that is between 4 to 4.5 feet high is good for cattle. Lean towards higher fencing for bulls around 5 feet high.
Corner posts are an integral part of a reliable and durable livestock fence. Without resilient corner posts, your fencing can easily topple down due to wildlife, livestock, weather, or nearby trees and make your livestock vulnerable.
One of the most common mistakes by ranch managers is not securing corner posts deep enough, especially in looser or disturbed soil.
Fencing experts recommend planting the corner post between one-third and one-half of the corner post total length. Experts also recommend the post depth in the ground should be equal to or greater than the height of the top wire.
When choosing between different types of wire fence, its tension will determine its resilience and longevity. The quality of materials and proper installation will determine if it can stand up to pressure from animals or weather without failure.
Post spacing is another common area where ranchers can make mistakes. Farmers tend to place too many posts close together. Post spacing largely depends on the type of fence you choose to install. Spacing the posts just right can extend the life of your fence materials.
As a general rule of thumb, fencing experts recommend one post for every 16.5 feet for barbed wire fences. For electric wire fencing, post spacing can be between 80 to 100 feet apart, which is about 50 posts per mile.
Depending on the type of wire fence you choose and the density of your animals in the space, you will need different amounts of wires.
You may use more strands if you have a densely packed small space compared to a large, roamable space with fewer cows.
In your property, you will have a variety of fence types ranging from holding pens to pasture fences. Corral fences should be stronger and more durable than pasture fences, which can use barbed wire or high-tensile fences.
Cattle fences serve to protect, hold, and transport your livestock around your property and pasture. Choosing the right type of fence material can help safeguard your cattle and extend the longevity of your materials. High-quality fencing can last for decades.
Barbed wire is the traditional material for fencing cattle, gaining its first patent in . Today, it remains a standard choice for livestock owners due to its availability, affordability, and ease of installation. However, advancements in fencing technology have allowed ranchers to choose from a wide range of effective fencing materials.
While this type of fencing has largely fallen out of favor, some farmers may use a single strand of barbed wire above high-tensile or hinged-joint wire fence to reduce the risk of injury of animals while adding stronger protection for cattle from predators or trespassers. For a completely barbed wire fence, farmers use between 4 to 6 strands of barbed wire.
Barbed wire fencing serves as a popular option for bigger animals due to their sharp barbs which can be a physical barrier for animals. However, it is not the most eye-catching or humane of the fence types and may injure your animals. If you are going with barbed wire, ensure that your cattle have their latest tetanus boosters.
For farms with large pastures, many farmers go with barbed wire for its relatively cheap price although its maintenance costs can be higher than maintaining an electric wire fence.
Consider the additional cost that you may incur from T-posts and stays or stiffeners. T-posts in barbed wire fencing are generally required to be 12 feet apart. When you add up the material cost, it may be higher than expected. Over time, its maintenance costs can increase from the wear and tear of wildlife and livestock.
Hinged joint field fences are a portable, flexible, and versatile option for cattle fencing and fences for other livestock such as sheep, goats, and chickens. Also called a farm fence, a hinged joint fence has a four wrap hinge joint where two vertical stay wires are wrapped together to form a hinge joint.
The wrapped wires form a knot that functions as a hinge when pressure is applied. When the pressure is removed, it returns back to its original shape. Generally, hinged joint fences have narrower wire spacing towards the bottom to deter small predators and animals.
Compared to a barbed wire fence, this fence type can have a slightly higher upfront cost but requires less maintenance and does not pose a serious risk of injury for cattle. However, this fence type can get damaged if you do not regularly maintain it.
If enough pressure is applied, it can lose its shape or even break due to rust and heavy pressure or lose its shape permanently.
Fixed knot fences can provide a higher performance than barbed wire or hinged-joint fences. Also known as woven wire fences, this fence type is designed from linked horizontal and vertical wires that overlap and knot together to create squares or rectangles. Choose from a wide range of mesh patterns and heights.
Many farmers prefer this fencing option due to its longevity and value, requiring minimal maintenance and replacement costs. Just make sure to keep an eye out for your cattle since they can get their hooves caught in the openings.
High-tensile fixed knot fencing can provide a better value over other fencing types, even barbed wire. Fixed knot fencing, generally, has 20 feet between posts, meaning it uses less posts throughout the fencing line and does not use fence stays or stiffeners.
Since these fence types come in long rolls, they may be easier to install for some ranchers compared to installing barbed wires one by one. In terms of maintenance, all you may need to do is ensure the vegetation does not grow on the fence and regularly check for any damage from nearby trees.
Electric wire fences are a popular option for temporary fencing such as for rotational grazing.This type of fencing has a charge going through it which acts as a physical deterrent for cattle who come in contact with it.
This type of fencing can also be used with other types such as high tensile and wooden fences as an extra physical deterrent against predators and trespassers. One of the cons of this type of fencing is that it can easily short if touched by weeds or having broken insulators.
Wooden post and rail fences are the most eye-catching fence types and can provide a sturdy barrier for your cattle management. Generally, this type of fencing works better with a smaller herd of about a handful of cows.
This fence type can be pricey and require more maintenance over time. Since cows love to scratch themselves on the wooden fence posts, and gnaw on the cross poles, this can force you to spend more on replacement and maintenance.
If you are looking for an alternative to the traditional wooden post, synthetic fencing made from PVC pipe can mimic the look and feel of a wooden fence without its natural disadvantages such as rotting.
While these options are more expensive than wooden fences, they can provide increased durability against weather and pressure from livestock. They are generally best reserved for smaller operations over larger ones.
Cattle fence panels are great options for fencing in cattle and other livestock. Cattle fence panels are made of usually 4-gauge wire galvanized before it is welded into a single panel. Its welded steel construction makes it a durable and sag resistant option that will not need almost any maintenance at all in the long run and will not rust.
Cattle fence panels can usually be between 8 feet and 16 ft long. A standard panel usually has grid openings 8 inches high and 6 inches wide. These panels can be attached to a variety of posts including wood and steel.
Fence posts are a critical part of building your cattle fence. Usually, corner posts are made of treated wood, which protects the wood from decay. Corner posts are usually 6 to 8 inches in diameter. T-posts are not usually sturdy enough to fence in your cattle.
Line posts provide the extra support needed throughout the length of the fence. Line posts may include wooden posts and t-posts. Line posts should be slightly taller than the fence height. The posts will typically go in the ground about 4 feet.Post spacing can be between 8 to 12 feet apart, depending on the material and length of the fence line. Many farmers use a ratio of 5 steel posts to 1 wood post for durability.
For electric fencing, steel posts are not recommended. Instead, consider very flexible plastic or wood-plastic composite posts. Even with an insulator for steel posts, there is a risk of the fencing shorting out.
Everything from your cow&#;s behavior to nearby tree limbs or even heavy snow can put pressure on the installed fence wires. Strong fence staples are recommended for fence wire support. Staple pullout is a common problem when used on pressure-treated softwood posts.
Are you interested in learning more about cattle-fence? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
We recommend using 1 ¾ inch to 2 inch, 8- or 9-gauge galvanized staples with additional barbs on softwood poles and 1 ½ inch smooth staples for hardwood poles.
Electric fences require a wide range of devices and materials including insulators, battery powered or solar power fence charger, wires, braces, and ground rods.
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Fencing experts recommend spacing the ground rods throughout the entire fencing instead of near the energizer. We recommend a galvanized rod which is corrosion-resistant and more affordable compared to copper.
When considering gates, factor in the type of soil you have and the anchoring requirements needed to ensure proper performance and function. You may want to install a man gate for people to go through and a larger one for animals and large vehicles.
We recommend placing your gates in corners instead of adding them in the middle of a straight fence. Consider every necessary material including a durable gate, hinges, and closures.Cattle guards work well in high traffic areas.
Once you have determined the type of fence you plan to build, it is time to ensure that your property is ready for the fence installation process.
Here are a few tips to get your property ready for a fence:
Once you have planned out your fence design and installation, it is time to get all of the necessary supplies to set-up your complete livestock fencing system.
Here is a basic list of fence supplies you will need:
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ADD TO CART BUY OPTIONS IN-STORE ONLYIt is time to build out your perfect livestock fence.
Step 1
Learn how to use a hole digger or ask someone/hire someone who knows how to use it to dig the post holes. Dig the post holes where you have previously marked. How deep you need to dig them in depends on the structure of your soil. Looser and disturbed soil may require more depth. Generally, post holes should be three times the width of the post.
Step 2
When you install the corner posts, you may fill the surrounding space with soil, gravel, sand, or even concrete for added stability.
Step 3
If you will be installing brace wire, for example, you can start installing the wire from the top of one post to another. Ensure that the wire has sufficient tension if you are installing it around the fencing. However, you do not want to pull it too much. Use some staples to secure the wire onto the posts and continue until you secure the entire top line of wire. Fencing wire is not required if you are installing electric fences or wooden rail/board fences.
Step 4
Install the line posts at regular intervals. For larger herds and higher budgets, we suggest using more line posts and placing them closer together for support and longevity of the fence.
Step 5
When all the line posts have been put in place, it is time to install the other wire lines. Here is where you will secure wires with staples and a hammer. Securing the wires to the post can protect the wire from breakage if a cow applies heavy pressure.
Step 6
Ensure that every part of the fence is secured and there are no weak spots throughout. Ideally, the fence you have installed should be able to withstand the tension or pressure from your livestock.
Ready to build your dream livestock fence? Trust the farm store professionals at Wilco to help you get your project off the ground. We have helped our clients identify the best design and build for their cattle fencing needs. Shop high quality fencing supplies at Wilco Farm Stores.
Fences are an important protective element of any farm or agricultural operation with livestock. To ensure optimal livestock safety and a long-lasting fence, it is important to know how far apart farm fence posts need to be. Fence posts are the support structure of a fence that barbed wire or electric wire attaches to. If the space between posts is too long, the fence may become flexible or weak. Alternatively, if the space between posts is too short, the fence will take more time to build and can become more difficult to maintain. As experts in farm fencing, the team at Edge Wholesale Direct has provided some information on proper fence post spacing and some factors that affect it.
What should you consider before installing new farm fence posts?
As a general rule of thumb, most fence posts should be spaced about 8-12ft apart. Bear in mind that this distance refers strictly to the fence posts, not pickets. Pickets are often placed between posts at regular intervals to keep wire upright and increase stability, but they are not required for every type of fence. Many factors affect the ideal distance between posts including:
The type of wire used for the fence greatly affects the recommended distance between posts. For example, standard barbed wire should have posts spaced 8-12ft apart, but high tensile barbed wire fences can have posts up to 20-30ft apart. Electric fences also tend to allow for longer distances between posts compared to barbed or smooth wire. Another general rule is that fences with more wires will require shorter spacing between posts than fences with fewer wires.
Learn about how to choose the right fence for your farm.
Large livestock such as cows will require a shorter distance of no more than 8ft between posts to withstand the pressure of them pushing against the fence. If your farm contains smaller animals such as sheep or goats, you will be able to space your posts a bit further apart (10-12ft). In addition to the animals inside your farm, fences should be built with animals outside your farm in mind as well. If you are constantly dealing with predators that are trying to attack your livestock, a shorter distance between posts is recommended.
Find out how to choose the best farm gate.
If you are building a fence on flat land, you can likely have more space between posts. Alternatively, if the land is uneven or undulating, the space between posts may need to be reduced. The shape of your fence will also impact pole spacing and the number of pickets used. For example, rounded or circular fences will require more pickets than straight fences to keep them in the correct shape.
Learn some simple farm fence maintenance tips.
To learn more about post spacing and other farm fencing considerations, reach out to the team at Edge Wholesale Direct. We will work with you to provide the perfect solution for your farm or other agricultural needs.
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