No one can deny the importance of the right fence and fencing system, and this is especially true if you have or are managing a farm and you have livestock as well as crops, or some of each. The fact is, you need to come up with a well-designed and organised fencing system and plan for your land, and this system should be based on your precise purpose. Why are you putting up fencing in the first place? Is it for protection for your livestock? Is it for security? Is it to separate different areas into segments? Is it for the right handling of livestock such as cattle?
Whatever farm fencing you choose, you need to first decide on its purpose – list down your requirements so you can choose correctly and according to what you really need. But did you know that your livestock will also determine the kind of fencing which would be most useful for your property? The kind of livestock you have as well as their breed and age and other factors can decide the most effective fencing system for your land. Here is what you should consider about your livestock before choosing the proper fencing for your farm.
For cattle
If you have cattle, the good news is that you can make use of most kinds of fencing. With this, the only factors you have to consider would be the cost of the fencing system, the longevity and durability, and the ease of installation. For great fencing, the most ideal options would be high-tensile fencing, barbed wire, and woven wire. If you are penning bulls, you can also use heavy and sturdy posts combined with thick cables or wires.
For horses
For horses, horse fencing that is highly visible is a necessary thing. Barbed wire, for instance, is capable of tearing the hide of a horse, and your horses can also end up being entangled in a high-tensile fence. If you want, you can make your high-tensile fencing more visible with the placement of posts close together or with ribbons that you can hang on each post. But a board fence is usually great for horses, and you can also use woven wire fencing, which is effective as well.
For sheep
With sheep, you have to think about protection from predators such as wild dogs, wolves, and the like. It’s your priority to protect your sheep, and for this, you can use electric fencing. But you may want to avoid barbed wire fencing if you have sheep as the barbs may become entangled in the sheep’s wool.
For swine
If you have swine on your farm, you need to have a strong fencing system – but not only this, you also need to make sure that your fences are built and installed lower and nearer to the ground so you can prevent the swine from rooting and then escaping. If you want to avoid rooting, you can place the barbed wire on the bottom of your fencing system, and if you are planning to confine the swine to a specific area, the fences you choose should be strong and able to handle heavy and repeated use.
