Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discuss your land layout with farm fencing manufacturers

The layout of your land greatly determines the type of farm fencing you need. If possible, give your farm fencing manufacturer a rough outline of your farm terrain being certain to note any high or low points, ponds or creeks and wooded areas. Also, make sure that your farm fencing manufacturer is aware of any areas that need roadside fencing, which must be more durable to ensure livestock don't get out into traffic.

I recommend: Check out slough sticks at Farm Show for fencing through water. Search Global Sources for farm fencing manufacturers.

Inform farm fencing manufacturers of your fencing intentions

In some cases farms need to set up temporary fencing, which requires small, light-driven post and one or two strands of hot wire. For permanent fencing, farm fencing manufacturers may suggest fencing with posts set in concrete and four or five strand of stretch barbed wire fencing. Be certain to discuss your life expectations of the fence with your farm fencing manufacturer.

I recommend: Learn about fencing from the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Georgia. Read about permanent horse fencing or order a fast trail temporary fence at Max Flex.

Let farm fencing manufacturers know the different types of livestock on your farm

The type of livestock your fence will contain also determines the fence that you need. Some animals, such as goats, are harder to contain than others, and smaller animals like rabbits can easily crawl through and under fences. Your farm fencing manufacturer may suggest web or mesh wire fencing for small animals and stretched wire like hot wire or a barb wire fence for larger animals. Extremely large animals such as buffalo will require a high-utensil wire.

I recommend: American Fence offers hog, goat, and sheep fencing. The Virginia Cooperative Extension discusses appropriate horse fencing.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember when working with farm fencing manufacturers that you also need to discuss the budget you have set for your farm fence. Your budget will affect the fencing that your manufacturer suggests for you.

Guide to Farm Fencing Manufacturers

Find a long-lasting, cost effective solution for your farm fencing needs.

By Donna Harvey

1. Product pricing and shipping costs--choose fencing manufacturers that have a local outlet so you can pick up your farm fencing at the dealer to save shipping costs.
2. Type of animal or property you are attempting to secure--smaller animals need tighter fencing, horse fencing needs to be safe, cattle fence needs to be strong and wildlife fencing needs to be tall. You’ll want better-looking farm fence materials in areas within public view.
3. Maintenance needs--vinyl fencing requires very little maintenance, as does powder coated steel or galvanized fencing. Wire fence can also be pretty maintenance-free.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare products from several farm fencing manufacturers online.

Get product pricing and shipping costs and find out what associated farm fencing supplies will be needed for each type of fencing. Use online calculators to determine how much material you'll need for your farm fences.

I recommend: For wire fence go to the old standard, Red Brand, to view all types of wire fencing and use their tools for calculating how much you need and where to find it. Another good source of all types of farm fence and supplies, including custom fence, is Boundary Fence, located in the Eastern U.S.

Find easy to install and maintain materials.

Your family and employees will thank you if they only have to install a fence once every 50 years or so, and it doesn't need regular maintenance. Horse fence needs to be durable and safe with no barbed wire fencing employed.

I recommend: For easy-to-install tubular galvanized and powder coated steel farm fence, the ultimate is 440 Fencing. They have a selection they call the “final fencing solution” because it is sturdy and never needs painting. They advertise ease of installation with most individuals being able to construct a minimum of 500 feet of farm fencing in a day. Also try Ranchers Town and Country Fencing of Tulsa, OK.

Get specialty products for problematic situations

If you happen to raise wildlife, buffalo, emus or ostriches, or need to keep wildlife out of an area, look for farm fence manufactured to control these animals.

I recommend: For lightweight deer and bird control see Nixalite. For electric fencing to control large and small animals go to SMB Manufacturing where you can browse a large selection of humane electric wire fence at attractive prices. SMB is a Canadian company that ships to the lower 48 and shows pricing in both Canadian and U.S. dollars.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Smooth wire is not the same as barbless barb wire. Smooth wire is a single strand and barbless wire is two strands cabled together.
• •  Choose barbless wire for horse fencing when other choices are not in your budget. It's harder to maintain, but safer for horses than barbed wire.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use farm fencing manufacturers to handle a variety of fencing needs

Not all types of animals require the same type of fencing. Goats, for example, are much harder to keep contained in a fence than horses. You may also wish to have a more decorative fence along some areas of your land, such as roadside, and basic fence types along less viewed areas. Choosing a fencing manufacturer that offers a selection allows you to purchase all materials from one company. Manufacturers that make a variety of fence types can help you more accurately make comparisons. Fencing types available include wire fencing in slick wire, barb wire, mesh wire, and hot electric wire. More decorative fences include wooden and rubber. Wooden fences are often painted white, black, or left natural.

I recommend: Max Flex offers a variety of fencing and farm fencing supplies. Hay and Forage Grower gives viewers a selection of farm fencing manufacturers that offer barbed wire fencing, vinyl fencing, and more.

Discuss the fence's life expectancy with a farm fencing manufacturer

Keeping your fence in good condition is as important as its construction. Some farm fencing manufacturers have a warranty with their product. Before deciding on the type of fence that you will use on your farm, compare the maintenance of each type. Wire fences can break and rust. Wood fences can rot and need repainting. Electric fences require attachment to a hot box. Electric fences and barbed wire fences are cheaper to construct but often have more upkeep than PVC rail and mesh wire fences. When determining which fence type you will use, consider the upkeep of each kind. Discuss your lifetime expectancy of the fence with your farm fencing manufacturer.

I recommend: Electrobraid gives a warranty on the hot box for your wire fence. All Horse Fence amazingly offers a lifetime warranty on the Ultra Guard horse fence.

Consider benefits of having farm fencing manufacturers install fences.

Some farm fencing manufacturers only offer supplies. Others offer options of fence building. When talking with your farm fencing manufacturer, discuss both options. When farmers factor in time and any hired help into fencing cost, it may be just as cheap to let a fence building company construct your fence for you. In some cases, hiring fence builders also gives you a guarantee in the work.

I recommend: Better Fence Builders gives free quotes to help you determine if you want to use a builder to construct your farm fence. Service Magic teams you up with fence contractors in your area.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Draw an outline sketch of your farm. Make note of any trouble terrain areas. Land formations can make a difference in the type of fencing you need. Let your farm fencing manufacturer know if you plan to fence over areas such as creeks and ponds.