Posted: Thursday, August 03, 2023
Author: Dane Reed, Ranch Sales | Licensed in MT, WY
When buying a new farm or ranch, it can be easy to overlook the potential cost, time, and effort of
personalizing fencing applications. Fencing needs will vary widely from property to property, based
on the previous operations of the farm or ranch, how the fencing was kept up, and whether or not
the fence is on the property line. The major consideration when choosing your fencing comes down
to function; this includes lines, gate locations, and materials used. We will break down these key
elements to get a better understanding of the cost, time, and effort involved to optimize the fencing
inputs involved for your new property.
When looking at your operation, consider how to optimize the ease of flow for your needs.
Questions you will want to ask yourself include how you plan on breaking up the property for
livestock pastures, farm ground, and areas you will want to have cut off from livestock, such as
houses, outbuildings, roadways, as well as waterways where you may not want erosion to take place.
Also, you might want to think of keeping out potential predators, if you want your fence to be
aesthetically pleasing, and if your budget and timeline allow for the type of fencing you select. It may
take some time to realize what is going to work best for your needs, so use caution, and keep an
open mind for potential adjustments or additions to fence lines.
The best way to get started on planning your fencing is to look at a map and mark existing fence
lines. This will give you a great bird’s eye view of how your fence lines work with the landscape.
Check to see if you are utilizing your property in a manner that works best for your animals with
respect to water availability, as well as to grazing optimization. This will allow you to get perspective
on adding or subtracting interior fence lines. Also, mark out gate locations; when moving animals,
strategic gate locations will allow easier, less disastrous drives. Wide gates positioned in corners or
natural passages will be easier to move animals through than narrow, awkward areas. I like tall posts
on gates in open areas, so the animals can see these gates from long distances; the posts act as a
waypoint for lead animals. Wide gates are also necessary for large equipment, such as swathers,
combines, and semis, to enter or exit pastures or farm ground.
There are many different fencing options out there, but what is best for you? “Horse high, pig tight,
and bull strong” is a somewhat outdated saying. We now have a wide array of fencing options that
are animal-specific. Horses, cattle, sheep, and goats all require different applications; yet, there are
fence types that will work for all. First, we will put our focus on fence lines, as opposed to corrals or
working areas. We will cover those down the line. For cattle fencing, I prefer good ol’ barbed wire.
Four- or five-strand barbed wire fences still work great for cattle, as they have for many years. I
personally prefer a five-strand fence for cattle in areas that are along high-traffic roadways, and four-
strand fences in areas located in out-of-the-way areas. A bottom wire at 16” from ground level and
top wire at 42” is optimal for keeping mother cows and “most” bulls in. Calves, which are probably
going to get out anyway, can get back in to see mama with relative ease. This type of fencing is
wildlife-friendly, as well.
Horse fencing options have exploded in the past couple of decades, from multiple electric fence
options to no-climb horse fence, vinyl, PVC, wood, or metal continuous fence. The question you
must ask yourself is, “What look am I going for? Modern or rustic? What cost do I want to pay?”
Specialty horse fencing can be the costliest fencing on the ranch. Your budget and your timeline will
end up having a lot of influence on your fencing decisions.
Sheep and goat fencing usually comes down to field fences, or “woven wire.” This type of fencing
can be used in the cattle spectrum as well, but it is difficult to repair and is not wildlife-friendly, so it
is usually not recommended by fencers unless your goal is to keep sheep or goats in these designated
areas.
Corrals and working areas need to be strong, and well thought out. The difference between a
smooth day working cows and a long, miserable day with wreck after wreck can come down to
design, and materials used. A well-seasoned cattle rancher or an experienced fencer will be your best
friend at this stage in the game. Most ranches are going to have varied designs, depending on area
availability and the number of cattle which will be running through. In general, there are standards
of easy-flowing corral design. Materials can vary for corrals, but the most common are wood, steel,
and guard-rail—overall, strong materials. Even so, you may want to reinforce areas where your
animals will be leaning into or pushing against the fence with an additional layer of welded wire,
cattle panel, or pieces of tin.
Finally, be sure to inspect your fencing at least annually, and keep up with maintenance/repairs
before any major gaps develop. This is not only a good idea for your animals and the wildlife, but it
can be a huge time saver for you, as you won’t have to move escaped animals back into the pastures
to which they belong.
In closing, it is important to take note of checking out the condition, type, and locations of the
fences on your new ranch. Changes and repairs will most likely be necessary for any newly
purchased property, so don’t be overwhelmed when reviewing fences and corrals. Getting advice
from others is a good option; an outside perspective from an experienced fencer, rancher, or
neighbor can provide a wealth of knowledge and ideas for making your ranch work for you. And
always remember, “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.”
