Error!
Oops something went wrong, please try again later.
While farmers traditionally undervalue their time spent on fence maintenance, the opportunity cost is substantial. Medley offers a practical perspective: "It's more about what can you be doing instead of gathering up cows from a broken fence," Medley explains. “Could you have rolled 30 rows of hay or gotten the combine ready for harvest?"
Instead of repeatedly fixing failing fences, that time could be spent on revenue-generating activities or managing other aspects of the operation. Effective maintenance is crucial not just for containing livestock but for the overall economic health of the operation.
Medley also emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relationships: "Good fences make good neighbors. You can create relationship issues with your neighbors if your cattle are getting into their garden or into the flower bed."
For budget-conscious producers, Medley outlines several strategic approaches: "You can use alternative materials when you build. For example, you can do a combination of T-post and wood to save money."
He recommends a phased approach: "I recommend building it in phases. Typically a livestock producer will know where their most prone areas are for livestock and start with their highest pressure areas first."
Specific recommendations include:
Medley emphasizes the importance of regular inspections: “During the spring and after any significant weather events is a good time to check fences. Whether it's a big snow or heavy rain, look for limbs on the fence or rusty areas that could create issues."
Key inspection points:
Medley advocates for a shift in thinking about fencing maintenance: "We need to think about fencing the same way we think about other critical farm equipment,” Medley explains.
He adds that just as farmers wouldn't wait for a tractor to break down completely before planning its replacement, fencing requires the same forward-thinking approach. This shift in mindset — from reactive to proactive — can significantly reduce both immediate and long-term costs.
The true cost of aging farm fences extends far beyond the immediate expenses of repairs and replacements. It ripples through every aspect of an operation — from livestock safety to productivity. By shifting from a reactive to proactive mindset, farmers can transform what is often seen as a necessary evil into a strategic asset that protects their operation's future.
Medley emphasizes that success lies not in responding to fence failures, but in preventing them altogether. “The question each producer must ask isn't when their fence will fail, but rather how they can stay ahead of that inevitability through thoughtful planning and systematic maintenance.”
Medley and the Bekaert Fence Pros are available to answer questions and can recommend the best Bekaert products for your project. Submit questions at https://fencing.bekaert.com/en/contact-us and a member of the Bekaert Fence Pro team will respond within 24 hours.
Explore the benefits and installation tips for electric fencing in our comprensive article. Learn how electric fencing can enhance security and safety!
Looking to increase the lifespan of a fence in a coastal area? Bekaert provides the solution with its exclusive Bezinal® coating that combines zinc and aluminum.
The Fence Pros share their tips and tricks for how to switch to fall calving and how fencing plays a role in this. Setting your fences correctly can make your fall calving journey a success.
Fencing in rural America goes beyond the products & solutions .Keith Taylor, our fence pro, share with us his 30-years-in-Bekaert life lessons.
As Steven Sarson considers his 20+ years career with the Bekaert, he thinks back on his career and the awesome recollections with partners and companions.
We recommend using strong high tensile trellis smooth wire for speciality crop production that will bear loads over long periods of time without stretching or elongating.
