Types of Fences for Cattle

Cattle are essential to most people's diets. Rancher and farmers need to have the right fences to provide the cattle the best protection and to provide society the best protection from the cattle. With so many fences on the market, including some that say the are for cattle but do not handle cattle well, it is very easy to become confused as to the type of fence to purchase.

  1. Barbed Wire

    • Barbed wire is the most common type of fencing thought of when thinking of cattle fencing. This style of fencing allows for several lines of barbed wire to be stretched from post to post. Since the wire has sharp barbs on it, the cattle are not inclined to scratch themselves with the wire, and predators or pests are less likely to try to slip into the pasture, disturbing the cattle.

    Woven Field Fencing

    • Woven field fencing is fencing that has been made into a series of squares. These squares have been woven together to form a continuous fence. This fencing allows for the height to be adjusted simply by trimming the top or bottom of the fence. Because the fence is woven, the fence is able to contract or expand as the weather conditions change and is able to withstand the abuses that cattle may cause.

    Electrical Fencing

    • Electrical fencing is fencing that has an electrical charge running through it. This fencing is typically a few strands of thick gauge wire stretched between wooden posts. The charge is regulated through an electrical panel. If power is lost, the fence may be rendered ineffective, although many cattle may still avoid the fence due to past experiences with the electrical charge.

    Mesh Fencing

    • Mesh fencing is very similar to the woven fence, although it does not provide for the flexibility that woven fences do. This fence can be trimmed with a wire cutter to adjust for height and length, making it very versatile. The mesh fencing is easy to install and can be very strong depending upon the gauging of the mesh wiring. In the mesh fencing, the vertical and horizontal wires are held together by a piece of wire forming an X or Z pattern.

    Board Fencing

    • Board fencing is also known as slat fencing and can be used in a smaller area. This fence works by blocking the cattle's vision of what is on the other side of the fence, making them less likely to want to go through the fence. Th boards or slats tend to be wooden and may not hold up over long periods of time or if the cattle is startled.