Choosing the Right Fence: A Guide to Fencing for Livestock

As a farmer or livestock owner, the best decision you can make is to select the right fence to protect your property. This includes even small hobby farms or stations. No matter where you're in your farming journey, all property owners need to educate their selves about installing agricultural fencing materials or rural fencing supplies. Since fencing may represent itself as a usually large investment, you must choose a durable, secure material for your livestock. Below, we will be covering the kinds of fences with the right materials for your farm or property.

Woven Wire Fencing for Sheep and Goats

In selecting a fence for sheep and goats, there are some factors you need to consider. First is their thick wooly coats, which makes it impractical for barbed wire as an option. To add, goats can injure themselves with barbed wire due to constant poking or horns getting stuck. This is why strong, flexible woven wire fencing is ideal to keep them safe and protected.

Electric Fencing for Cattle

While there are several fencing types for cattle, electric fencing is the most ideal. Your type will also depend on installment, cost, lifespan, and its electric fencing supplies. Barbed wire may have been traditionally used for cattle for years; however, it's not recommended as it injures animals when they come into contact with it. That's why electric fencing is the most popular choice for keeping cattle safe. Its two main features include the fence wire and the charger to get it working. The electric current only delivers a minor pulse, so it's not significant enough to injure them.

Pipe/Steel Fencing for Horses

Given the strength and behavior of horses, it's clear that we already have the ideal fence solution you require. While pipe or steel fencing may not possess the classic charm of traditional wooden fences, it stands out as a wiser choice, particularly regarding safety. Aside from its safety, horses, pipe, or steel fencing are exceptionally strong than any other fencing material. Pipe steel fencing is usually built from high-quality galvanised steel that withstands harsh weather conditions.

High Tensile Wire Fencing for Poultry

When it comes to poultry, High Tensile Wire fencing is the most ideal that meets the specific requirements of farmers. Tensile wire fencing is a strong yet flexible material, making it a safe and secure poultry fence while protecting it at the same time from predators.

Mesh or Woven Wire Fencing for Small Animals

For smaller animals like rabbits, birds, mice, and more, mesh/woven wire fencing is highly recommended for containment. Woven wire fencing is made to have small animal enclosures while still allowing air and light to pass through. This makes it perfect to use as cages or pens.

Now that we covered the types of fences, you might already know the ideal fence you want for your farm or livestock. It's time to shift on agricultural fencing materials needed before jumping on the fence installation process.

Steel Posts materials

Star Picket – The vertical element that holds down the structure of your fence. It has a pointed metal fence with three metal strips, so it can also be called a T or Y post because of its cross-section shapes. At Direct Trade Services, you will have two choices for your picket fence: the Heavy Duty Black or the Hot Dipped Galvanised. These pickets come in measurement, so consulting with fence experts to identify which best works for your area is essential.

Strainer Assembly – This helps maintain the fence's stability and prevent it from sagging. It also comes in specific sizes.

Fence Droppers – These horizontal wires support the entire fence structure. They perform as a wire spacer and act as a visual barrier. It also distributes shock loads to the whole fence. Check out Direct Trades Supply’s rural fencing prices here.

Pine Logs

Tapered Pine Holes – These feature a natural slight tapering in their structure and are commonly used for vineyards but not for children's areas. They can be used in fencing, as sleepers, and in landscaping projects.

Machined Pine Holes - at Direct Trade Sales, we craft these from CCA-treated timber to protect them against termites, fungi, bugs, and mold. These are also custom-made to achieve a consistent shape.

Dome Top Bollards serve as effective traffic dividers to ensure a safe entryway for people, animals, and bicycles in recreational areas. Direct Trade's bollards are constructed from high-quality green timber sourced from PermaPole's CCA-treated sustainable pine plantation. They're also available in various heights (1.2m - 2.1m) and diameters (125mm - 175mm) for your specific needs.

Rebate Bollards (Dome Top Double & Single) ¬¬– are designed to hold reflective tape, making them ideal for locations with heavy nighttime traffic or limited street lighting. These rebate bollards also come in both Single and Double Dome Top styles. Find out more on their rural fencing prices here.

Fencing Wire

Plain Wire – This can be used alone for fence construction or combined with wire mesh for added security. You can choose from Zinc Aluminium High Tensile, Zinc Aluminium Medium Tensile, Galvanised High Tensile, And Galvanised Medium Tensile.

Horse Sighter Wire – This is designed for farms with horses to minimise the risk of injuries. Two options are available at Direct Trade Supply: White Coated Steel and White Nylon.

Barb Wire – Made for various purposes, including livestock containment, exclusion zones, and conservation area separation. This comes into two options: Zinc Aluminium Barbed Wire & X-tra Life Barbed Wire. It's available in thicknesses ranging from 1.57mm to 2.5mm and lengths up to 500m.

Electric Fences

Energisers – One of the electric fencing supplies are energisers. They’re are an important component of electric fences. It regulates the flow of electricity from an external power source and detects contact with a grounded object.

Poly Rope is a popular option for industries due to its durability and strength. It's suitable for projects with potential electrical exposure as it acts as an insulator.

Underground Cable - also called "undergate cables." Underground cables transmit electricity safely within a fence system. They facilitate the flow of electricity from the energiser to the start of the fence and between various sections.

Insulators – Made from non-conductive materials. Insulators connect the electric fence to the posts and prevent the electrical current from being transferred to the ground through the posts.

Fault Locators – They accurately pinpoint faults resulting from issues like poor connections, overgrown vegetation around the fence, short circuits, or damaged fencing.

Standoffs – They create a separation between the electric wires and the fence poles, making them an important component in fencing.

Takeaway

As we've explored in this blog, the ideal fence varies depending on the agricultural fencing materials you use, the livestock you raise, your security requirements, and the visual appeal you want to achieve. With the guidance of experienced fence experts, making the right choices ensures a secure and enduring environment for your livestock and valuable property.