Selecting and Installing Stockade Panels

Selecting Stockade Panels

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To determine the style that best fits the needs of your corral, feedlot or property, you must first consider what the purpose of the enclosure will serve. Pigs have different safety issues than cattle. Swine can root their way out of an enclosure, so the fence must sit low and tight to the ground. Piglets are small enough to slip through large openings, so graduated spacing near the bottom of the panel would be a good idea. The height of the fence doesn’t have to be significant. On the other hand, cattle don’t require graduated spacing at the bottom, but height is a consideration. And, containing an excited bull or a herd of cows at dinnertime requires the most durable fence available. Sheep may not exert as much pressure, but protecting them from predators requires a tight, secure mesh spacing to deter entry into the enclosure. Proper spacing for horses is important to prevent hooves or legs from getting caught in the mesh. Be sure the opening is no more than 2″x4″. In all these applications, the common features are high-quality steel, durable zinc coating and expert manufacturing. You invest time, money and resources in your animals. Be sure they are protected with the best materials your money can buy.

Barbed Wire

The most traditional of the bunch, this cattle fencing material stands the test of time and has been used since its invention in the late 1800s. The number of strands necessary for barbed-wire cattle fencing depends on the number of cows and how rebellious they are, but typically five strands is the recommended average. Barbed wire is a favorite among cowboys and ranchers because of its relatively low cost and simple installation — it’s often used on wide expanses of land for this very reason.

Barbed wire works as both a visual and physical barrier to your cattle, of course, but it’s also a smart security option for keeping out predators.

 The downside of barbed wire fencing is that it’s not as visually appealing as some of the alternatives. More importantly, some farmers and ranchers see it as a potential danger to innocent animals or children, who can get mistakenly tangled. If your cattle are aggressive, this isn’t the most humane fencing option, since the barbs can cause hide tears and injury.

Woven Wire

Because of the dense woven design of this fencing, there are fewer gaps; therefore, woven wire is a top-notch choice as both a visual and physical barrier. Woven wire fencing — even without an electric component — boasts the advantage of being the most secure for keeping animals safely contained and keeping predators at bay. In fact, animals can get through the woven wire fencing only if it’s already broken.

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For even more protection and security, consider a strand of barbed wire wire or electric fencing along the top — about 23 inches down — to prevent cattle from leaning over the fence. Woven wire doesn’t require as much maintenance as electric fencing, which also makes it a popular choice among farmers and ranchers.

 The cons of woven wire fencing include that it’s more costly than barbed wire. It’s also more difficult to install correctly, especially on unlevel ground.

High Tensile Smooth Wire

High tensile smooth wire is most often composed of four to ten strands and can be used as an alternative to barbed wire fencing. It’s preferred by farmers and ranchers because it’s more gentle on cattle — and therefore a good option if your livestock aren’t the rebellious type. It’s also noted for a long life expectancy, since it doesn’t warp as a result of leaning cattle or  temperature changes. Just like barbed wire and woven wire, high tensile smooth wire can be used with or without an electric component.

Building the best field fence for your cattle can be time consuming, so you want to plan ahead to ensure it will meet all of your livestock and farm or ranch needs. Always research your final option before purchasing to make sure that it’s cost effective and that you feel confident about installing it yourself or hiring someone to do the job. Most of all, be sure that it’s tough enough to keep your animals safe, but gentle enough to be humane.

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