If you’re new to farmwork, or simply are curious about agriculture, then a key thing to learn about is the importance of agricultural fencing. Fencing is essential when working with livestock for a number of reasons, and there are different types of fencing that can be used depending on the types of animals that are being fenced off and why.

Keep reading our article to learn all you need to know about farm fencing, including why it’s important, the different types of fencing that can be used and the supplies needed to erect a fence on farmland.

Why Do Farmers Fence Off Their Land?

Though livestock often have plenty of space to roam around in large fields, they will be enclosed in these areas by agricultural fencing. These fences don’t necessarily act as a border between one farmer’s land and the next, but are actually purposefully placed for a number of important reasons.

Firstly, one of the reasons that livestock is confined to specific areas is because these areas are safe. These areas provide somewhere for the animals to healthily live and grow, whilst protecting them from harm. For example, if they were not enclosed to a safe area, then there is the potential that they could wander somewhere dangerous and injure themselves (for example, falling and getting stuck in a ditch) or attacked by predators, such as foxes – this is a particularly high risk for any young livestock.

Speaking of predators, just as agricultural fencing helps to keep your animals in, it helps to keep these predators out – along with any other unwanted animals (be it someone’s dog or a neighbouring farmer’s escaped animal).

Fencing your livestock off also means that you are able to keep track of your animals, so that you know where they are at all times and are able to manage and herd them more easily. Subsequently, everyday chores are also made easier; whether you need to clean, milk, feed or give medical treatment to your animals, doing so in a confined space is much easier than having to herd a bunch of roaming animals (especially when they don’t wish to cooperate!).

Speaking of feeding, having designated areas for your livestock to graze can play a big part in their diet and wellbeing. For animals such as cows and sheep, grass makes up the predominant portion of their diet. As such, farmers will often move them from enclosed pasture to another when they’re in need of fresh, nutrient-rich grass to graze on. Thus, fenced areas allow you to keep on top of your livestock’s diet and ensure that they are feeding sufficiently.

Which Fence for Which Animal?

Post and Rail Fencing

This is perhaps the most traditional type of fencing that you may see used in fields today. Post and rail fencing consists of wooden fencing posts/stakes that are rammed into the ground with wooden rails then placed between each post and nailed onto them.

This type of fencing is best used for animals such as sheep or alpacas, since it is strong enough to support them should they choose to lean against it (as they often do). Since sheep have a tendency to lean against fence posts, wooden fencing such as post and rail also makes for a better choice over something like barbed wire, since the sheep’s wool doesn’t catch as easily on it.

However, fences for sheep are usually to keep predators out rather than to keep the sheep in, so you may consider adding some wire mesh or netting between the fence rails, especially lower to the ground.

Stock Fencing

An alternative to post and rail fencing, stock fencing (also known as wire fencing) offers more protection than traditional wooden fencing. Rather than having posts with wooden rails between them, stock fencing is a type of galvanised wire fencing that goes between the wooden posts, covering the open areas between them completely.

This type of fencing is durable and hinge-jointed, making it resistant to stretching and reliable against pressure from livestock. Again, this type of fencing is suitable for small to medium size animals such as sheep, alpacas or pigs. However, with pigs it may be worth putting a single line of barbed wire or electric strand on the inside of the fence at nose height, since this will deter the pigs from trying to dig underneath the fence with their snout.

Wire Netting

Also referred to as chicken or poultry wire, wire netting is (funnily enough) often used to enclose chickens. It is a flexible mesh that can be manipulated to curve around a desired area to create a chicken pen, being strong enough to deter chickens from attempting to get out (though it should also be high enough to stop them from flying out, also!).

More so than keeping chickens in, however, it is used to keep predators out. This is why it should be touching the ground to prevent foxes from digging underneath to get into the coop. It’s best to keep chickens shut away at night in a coop to keep them extra safe.

High Tensile Fences

High tensile fences are a strong and durable fencing solution. This is named for its strength under tension, which it gets as a result of containing more carbon then other wire fences. This increased carbon content allows this type of fencing to be thinner and lighter than a low carbon fence, yet remain just as strong.

This makes high tensile fences ideal for fencing in cows, offering the strength needed to stop any cows that may wish to attempt to escape, though this is often unlikely.

As for bulls, a thicker solution would be needed or even electric fencing, since they are much larger and stronger and may charge at the fence to try and reach the cows (they should always be penned apart unless you are using the bull to breed a cow).

Field Gates to Farm Stakes: What Supplies Are Needed?

Farm Stakes

Farm stakes, or fencing stakes, are a basic component of any agricultural fence. These are the posts that are rammed into the ground to form the border of the area that will be enclosed.

They often have a pointed end that has been carved in order to make it easier to insert them into the ground and offer more stability.

Fencing Rails

These are the rails that cover the distance between fence posts, as in the ones that are used in post and rail fencing. It is common for these to be half rounded or rectangular, so that they can sit flush against the posts and be nailed in securely.

Wire/Stock Netting

Once the posts and rails have been installed, some farmers may choose to leave this as is, though many now choose to cover the perimeter of this fence with stock netting or some other type of wire (depending on the livestock that will be enclosed in the fence).

It’s optional to use just wire in place of fencing rails, though using both tends to offer more stability and protection.

Field Gates

An integral part of any fence is a gate – you need to be able to herd your livestock in and out of the fenced area, afterall.

Field gates and ranch gates are the two most common types of gate to be used, since they are wide enough to fit livestock through into and out of the paddock when open, and are designed to be reinforced for additional strength to stop your livestock from escaping. These can either be made of timber or metal.

Hales Sawmills

Whether you’re new to farming or already familiar with it, we’re sure you can agree that getting all your agricultural fencing supplies from one place is the most convenient option when needing to install new fences on your farmland.

Here at Hales Sawmills, we have everything you need from farm stakes and stock netting, to field gates and even chicken coops! We also offer a range of other products that may be of further use to you, including tools & hardware, landscaping supplies, clothing & PPE and more.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you have any queries or would like to learn more about our products and the solutions we can offer you.