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Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Whether you are looking to build a new pasture paddock or protect your prized fruit and vegetables from deer, building a new fence can be a daunting task. Luckily, fence expert Steven Sarson says creating a detailed plan for your fence before you start installation is the best way to do it once and do it right. Sarson has been helping acreage and farm owners plan and build high quality fences for more than three decades, 20 years of which he’s been a Fence Pro at Bekaert Fencing.
One of your first planning steps, Sarson says, is to clarify your true goal. “Are you working to keep something in or keep something out?” he recommends asking yourself. “Knowing if you’re building an enclosure or an exclusion fence kicks off the entire planning process.”
If your goal is to keep the deer out, build a fence for height but not necessarily super strength. A fixed knot fence, like the Solidlock® Fixed Knot style from Bekaert Fencing, is an ideal exclusion fence.
For horse enclosures, visibility and strength are key. Sarson recommends a wooden top rail (board) or coated top wire to add visibility.
For horse paddocks, it’s important to guard against entanglements. “You’ll want to consider a non-climb fence to protect horses’ small hooves,” Sarson adds. “Fencing with
small, consistent openings of two inches by four inches works well, like our Horseman® Non-Climb products”
Cattle require the ultimate in containment and strength. Sarson recommends a fixed knot fence design built using treated wood posts or a combination of treated wood, pipe and T-posts. Multiple strands of barbed wire or smooth wire with electric are also excellent choices. He notes that Bekaert Fencing offers accessories and installation tools for any combination.
There are a multitude of material options for building new fence, notes Sarson. His advice is to get familiar with the basics.
Installing a fence means considering your choice of wire. There are different wire and knot types. You want to decide which wire is best for your new fence. Wire fencing products are usually manufactured using either high tensile wire or low carbon wire. Low carbon wire is easy to work with and fairly forgiving. However, low carbon wire is prone to elongating, sagging and has a much lower breaking strength compared to high tensile wires.
High tensile wire is made with higher carbon content increasing the wire’s strength, reducing elongation, and minimizing the need for future tensioning and repair. This also means high tensile wire can be installed using fewer posts than low carbon fences.
Using high tensile wire saves time while offering the quality and longevity you need for your fence. It takes less maintenance to set up your fence. This strong wire can withstand pressure and the elements depending on your environment, making it the ideal choice for diverse livestock populations.
No matter if you’re installing a fence for enclosure or exclusion, you want a wire fence that can provide the strength and durability for the long haul.
“With breaking strengths exceeding 1,250 pounds — 30% stronger than low carbon wire — high tensile is the best option for livestock,” explains Sarson.
Knot types vary based on the fence’s use and the type of work it’s meant to do — animal containment, animal exclusion, decoration, etc. Sarson notes the following are three of the most common knot types for your acreage fencing project.
Popular for cattle fences, barbed wire consists of two wire strands twisted together and starred with 2- or 4-point barbs at intermittent distances, usually 5 inches. A 3-inch barb spacing can be used for predator control.
The best all-around choice for various types of livestock, fixed knots are durable and resistant to animal damage. Fixed knot construction is a top choice for professional fence installers because it adds strength and supports increased post spacing, says Sarson.
The smooth construction of the S Knot, otherwise known as our non-climb fence, protects animals’ skin and coats. Sarson recommends this fence style as one of the best no-climb fences with solid containment for horses as well as goats, sheep, and llamas.
Fencing doesn’t have to be difficult. There are many tools to help. Getting a fence properly installed prevents future problems, such as a sagging fence. Determining how much fencing material you need is a critical step in doing fence once, the right way.
To map out your fence and create an all-encompassing supply list, Sarson recommends Bekaert's Fencing Calculator, a free online tool based in Google Earth from Bekaert Fencing.
“You can go in and you drop points around the pasture that you want to fence. The site tells you the length of your fencing project, how much wire you need, and how many posts you need based on the type of project. You can set all these specifications, and it’ll print you out a shopping list,” explains Sarson. Take your shopping list to your local dealer or order from our website today. Unsure of what fence type is best for your application? We also have a useful tool, Bekaert’s online Product Finder, to help determine the best fence your specific fence application. This tool makes it easy to find the right products for your project in less time.
An often overlooked step in building a brand new fence is determining zoning and right of way rules. It is important to know the guidelines for how close fences can be to the road. Sarson recommends contacting county officials before constructing new fence lines along highways.
Regardless if your fence is for enclosure or exclusion, Sarson says one way to make your fence last longer is to purchase wire with a protective coating.
“Purchasing wire with a increases durability and longevity,” notes Sarson. “For example, the exclusive Bezinal® + UV coating from Bekaert Fencing has been proven to increase the life of high tensile fences, sometimes up to several decades.”
A cost-share program from NRCS or the USDA may be available to help defray the cost of a fencing project. The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers and ranchers repair grounds damaged by natural disasters and to help put in place methods for water conservation. A conversation with your local Farm Service Agency office may be in order to determine eligibility for this or other programs. https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/emergency-conservation/index
By spending time preparing your plan and selecting the right materials for your goals, Sarson says the installation process will go more smoothly and require fewer trips back out for additional materials.
“Make a plan and work the plan,” Sarson says. “If you need additional help working out your plan, I am here to help.”
