Fencing Tips and Advice

Terms to Know

Barbed Wire. Originally invented in 1867, barbed wire has become essential for farmers and ranchers to fence in the pastures and grazing land. 

Galvanized. This means the steel has been coated in a layer of zinc alloy that is resistant to rust.

Posts. The foundation of any good fence, posts are rooted firmly into the ground and are tied into the fencing.

High Tensile. High tensile wire is made with higher carbon content which increases the wire's strength and reduces stretch in the wire.

Fencing Types

After you have planned your fence you will want to select a type of fencing. The following are some of the most common fencing choices.

Barbed Wire This infamous wire is great for fencing large pastures for cattle and other livestock. Most barbed wire uses two twisted wires for extra strength with barbs spaced every few inches. We recommend OK Brand Barbed Wire for long term fencing needs. Use two-point barbed wire for areas where livestock have more space to roam and four-point barbed wire where crowding is a concern.

Mesh Fencing is great if you have smaller animals that you want to keep from getting out of your enclosure. It can also help to keep pests from coming inside your fence. We recommend OK Brand Field Fence for a variety of uses.

Electric Fencing is ideal for most types of livestock and can be built for temporary or permanent use. To set up electric fencing you will need to use special mounting clips, electric wire, posts, a grounding rod kit, and a wire energizer. We recommend Gallagher Turbo Wire for electric fences. You can also run electric fence along a T-Post fence using insulators and electric wire to energize the fence. 

Lodge Pole Fencing is a classic look that many people like for their rustic appeal. These types of fences are affordable and easy to install. You will need custom posts that have built in holes (usually three per post) in the sides for the rails to stick into. You can also use standard treated wood posts, and then attach the lodge poles onto the front of the post. 

Post Types

Fence Posts are an essential part of any fence. The type of post you will want will depend on the length of your fence as well as how strong you need your fence to be.

Cedar Posts These posts are actually cut juniper trees and have a thick bark covering. They are very sturdy and are great for corrals or fences that need extra strength. We recommend these pre cut 8 foot cedar posts for cattleman and other livestock producers. 

Treated Posts These posts are often pointed and come in many different diameters and lengths. They are treated with chemicals to resist corrosion and make them last longer. We recommend treated wood posts for long lasting fence posts. 

Metal T-Posts are a popular alternative to wooden posts because they are easier to drive into the ground and they weigh less than wood. These posts are fire resistant and great for livestock pastures. Look for T-Posts that weigh 1.33 lbs./lineal foot and are ASTM rated such as these CMC T-Posts.

Building Your Fence 

Once you have decided on your fence type, you are ready to start building your fence. Start with a plan outlining where you want your fence to go. Next, select strong corner posts and braces for a strong base. Make sure you have necessary tools such as pliers, gloves, and a post driver. Finally, you are ready to start building your fence. If you have questions about what is the best fencing option for you, give us a call at 800-888-4545 and one of our fencing specialists can help you out!