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Fencing Systems for Ranches

Fences keep cattle where you want them, protect neighbors and let you manage grazing. Choosing the right system for each job saves money and trouble.

What fences do

Fences do several jobs. Perimeter fences mark boundaries and keep cattle in. Cross fences divide pastures for rotation or separate groups. Temporary fences let you adjust grazing quickly. Each job calls for a different level of strength and cost.

Before building, think about the cattle you have. Bulls and weaned calves test fences more than mature cows.

Fence quality also affects your relationships with neighbors, your liability if cattle get out and your ability to rent or lease pasture. It is worth doing right.

Common materials

Ranch fences use barbed wire, woven wire, high-tensile smooth wire, electric wire, pipe or cable, and wood or steel posts. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and local conditions matter, including soil, terrain, climate and wildlife.

Ask neighbors and your extension office what works in your area. Local experience is often the best guide.

Wildlife, snow load, flooding and fire can all damage fences. In areas with deep snow or heavy wildlife traffic, ask local experts about designs that give or let animals pass safely.

• Barbed wire for perimeter and general use
• High-tensile wire for long, low-cost lines
• Electric wire for cross fences and temporary use
• Woven wire for small stock or specific needs
• Pipe or panel for corrals and high-pressure spots

Corners, braces and posts

Corners and ends take the most strain, so brace assemblies are the foundation of any fence. A fence is only as strong as its braces. Follow extension plans for brace design and post spacing in your soil and terrain.

Use quality posts and set them properly. Poorly set posts lean, loosen and fail. Treated wood, steel and other materials have different lives, so ask local suppliers and extension about options.

Always run a brace diagonally and keep tension even, according to a trusted plan. If you have never built one, ask a neighbor or extension specialist to show you in person.

Planning the layout

Plan fences to work with terrain, water, vegetation and cattle flow. Think about where gates will be and how you will drive along the fence. Avoid steep, wet or rocky spots when possible, or plan for extra care there.

If you are using fences for grazing management, ask NRCS or extension to help with layout. Cost-share programs may exist, and terms change, so check current details with local offices.

Think about the future too. If you may switch to rotational grazing later, put gates, water and corners where they will still make sense when you add cross fences.

Maintenance

Check fences regularly, especially after storms, floods, fires and snow. Repair breaks fast, since cattle find holes quickly and teach others. Keep brush and weeds trimmed from fence lines.

Keep a repair kit in your vehicle with tools, wire, staples and a tester for electric fences. Log problem spots so you can fix the cause rather than the symptom.

Keep an old pair of eyes on the fence line, too. Walking or driving it slowly now and then lets you spot leaning posts and sagging wire before cattle do.

Safety and neighbors

Fencing involves tools, wire under tension and heavy equipment. Wear eye protection and gloves and follow manufacturer and OSHA guidance. Be careful around power lines, buried utilities and fuel.

Check your state's fence law and talk with neighbors about shared fences. Rules differ by state, so ask your county extension office or an attorney, and keep communication open.

Keep a first aid kit in the truck, and let someone know where you are working when you fence alone, since remote fence lines can be far from help.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include weak corners, wrong materials for the job, poor planning of gates, ignoring maintenance and trying to save money on posts or braces. Another is building the whole ranch in one season and running out of money.

Start with the most important fences, build them right and phase the rest. Review your plan with an experienced neighbor or an extension agent.

Keep receipts and notes on materials and labor so you can compare costs and plan the next phase with your lender or accountant. This is not financial advice.

More in Ranch Operations, Facilities & Equipment

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• Barbed Wire vs. High-Tensile Fence
• Gate Placement and Cattle Flow
• Pasture Water Systems
• Solar Water Pumping for Pastures
• Winter Water Supply for Cattle