Whether you have a few cows or thousands, good cattle fencing is key to your operation. But it’s not just the price tag that needs to be considered – there are also issues of performance, maintenance, longevity and more. This article offers an overview of some basic fencing options and considerations that can help you select the best type of cattle fence for your property.

The most common cattle fencing is the traditional barbed wire fence. This has a reputation for being tough as nails and is the best option to keep cattle in and predators out, but it does have some drawbacks. These include a tendency to catch and injure animals, as well as its high upfront cost and the need to periodically sharpen and repair barbs.

Cattle Fencing: Ensuring the Safety of Your Herd

Another good cattle fencing option is woven wire. This is made from linked horizontal and vertical wires that are woven together to create a mesh pattern and then knotted at the top to form a barrier that deters predators, trespassing and protects young calves. Woven wire is more visually appealing than barbed wire and has the advantage of being less costly, but it does need a stronger deterrent to prevent animals from climbing and bursting through it. This can be achieved by adding a strand of electric wire or barbed wire at the top of the woven fence.

An even better option is a high-tensile fixed-knot wire fence. This is an electric fence that has a much higher performance than either barbed or woven and has the added benefit of requiring less posts than other types of livestock fencing.