Profitable Pastures

A guide to grass, grazing, and good management

Good Fences Make Good Pastures

Fences are a key component of a pasture management system. Planning and controlling livestock movement allows you to ensure adequate resting and grazing of pastures. Establishing fencing that meets your operation’s needs can help you more effectively manage your system.

There are many types of fences available, varying from permanent to temporary, and a wide range of costs. When selecting a fence for your system consider:

• Topography
• Livestock
• Cost
• Availability of power
• Maintenance
• Flexibility

Other considerations include: establishing a manageable number of paddocks to evenly distribute forage supply; placing gates to make moving livestock easy; and fencing ditches and gullies separately to minimize potential erosion problems. It may be necessary to have a holding pen with electric fence to train livestock. In addition, special fencing considerations may be needed to prevent problems with predators in grazing systems for sheep.

Portable electric

Portable electric fencing is lightweight, portable and easy to arrange. It is reasonably priced, although you must also consider costs of electric or solar power. Temporary electric fences weather poorly and require regular maintenance.

Hi-tensile wire

Electrified single or double strand hi-tensile wire fencing is often used for interior boundaries. Multi-strand hi-tensile wire (5-11 wires) is used for boundaries. Hi-tensile wire fences are easy to install but require regular maintenance.

Barbed wire

Barbed wire fencing controls cattle and sheep very well, but may cause injuries to horses. Labor and material costs are high, and periodic maintenance is required.

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