3 Common Cattle Fencing Mistakes To Avoid

Whether you have years of experience owning cattle or you’re beginning your career, it’s essential to provide safe and comfortable living quarters for your livestock. Fences help you to manage your livestock, and they’re also great for farms. Using fences gives your livestock a specific amount of land they can roam without escaping, and they can also keep out critters that don’t belong.

So, here are three common cattle fencing mistakes to avoid, no matter how much experience you have in the industry.

Improper Fence Sizing

Your fences remain sturdy when they’re in the ground; this should prevent any pushing from your cattle. Corner posting can make or break your cattle fence; as one post falls, so will the rest. A common problem with corner posts is that they’re undersized. Additionally, make sure they’re installed deeply in the ground; if they aren’t, issues can occur.

Post diameter depends on the fence’s strength—whether the posts come barbed, woven, or are made of high-tensile wire. Light duty fences like high-tensile pasture fencing require a four- to five-inch diameter, while barbed wire requires a six- to seven-inch diameter post. Ground depth also matters because if the fence is six feet high, the corner posts should sit six feet in the ground.

Poorly Planned Line Placement

Since installing fences is a long-term job, planning out your arrangement is a necessity. Putting fences down without a plan can lead to trouble in the future. Consider any potential expansions made to your property, gate placement, and other areas of the farm.

Poor planning is one of the three common cattle fencing mistakes to avoid. So, take the time to talk with a contractor about where you should place fencing to improve your farm.

Not Making Fences Wildlife Friendly

Keeping outside intruders out of your farm is essential for your livestock to be healthy and happy. When you use a flexible fence, you can maintain the happiness of your cattle and other livestock while also preventing damage.

The quality of fencing you acquire should replicate the farm shelter quality you provide your livestock. This sentiment is also applicable when you need farm animal shelters for sale; they should provide strength, durability, and protection. You certainly don’t want a moose or an elk impeding onto your property because the fence failed to keep them out. Make sure your fence is flexible since this will lessen the chance of damage.