Introduction

Fencing represents a sizeable investment that is crucial to cattle operations. A fence serves to contain your cattle and keep undesirable animals out. Cattle escaping due to neglected fencing may result in legal liability and the loss of livestock, causing an instant reduction in profits. Proper fencing also keeps undesirable animals, such as predators and other livestock, out of the herd. A key example of the latter is a neighbor’s bull entering your property due to poorly constructed fences. This can introduce disease and undesirable genetics into your herd that may have serious long-lasting consequences.

On the surface, livestock fencing may seem simple. When you begin examining your cattle operation and asking questions to determine which fence best suits your needs, the options become vast. Some of these important questions include:

• What class of livestock do you intend to contain?
• Is the fence intended to be permanent?
• Am I able to improve an existing fence?
• What is my budget?
• Which types of braces best suit my needs?

Careful considerations should be made before starting any fencing project.

Summary

Choosing the correct fencing for your livestock operation is an important decision that represents a significant long-term investment. Horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs all have unique fencing requirements. Consider what level of investment is appropriate for the context of the operation. There are many different types of fencing to choose from, and each serves a unique purpose. If you need help selecting a fencing type or more information about what style of fencing best suits your needs, please reach out to your local extension office.