Two questions to consider when building a fence

Ask Steven Sarson a fencing question, and he has an answer. “I quite honestly enjoy the educational side of my job, which is why we have the Ask the Fence Pro option on our website, fencing.bekaert.com. I just replied to four questions this morning,” explains the Bekaert Fence Pro and Regional Sales Manager.

Working in the steel fence industry since 1991, it’s tough to find a question Sarson hasn’t responded to, because as he explains, fencing isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. “There are a number of different styles of fence and products within each style that work for certain animals or containment or exclusion goals,” he explains. 

“The type of fence you need for horses can be different from what you need if you raise cattle or sheep,” says Sarson, explaining that for horse farms he recommends woven wire with a smooth s-knot style that won’t catch on their hide if they rub up against it. And, he always asks if they have foals on the farm. “We have a fence style available which prevents foals from getting their leg stuck in the fence.”

When it comes to cattle and sheep producers looking to replace old fencing or install new fence for rotational grazing on pasture and range land, there are many options depending on stocking density and producer preference.

“Depending on stocking densities, a fence is either a physical barrier or a boundary. If they are grazing on a 10,000-acre cattle ranch out west where forage is scarce and stocking densities are low, a fence is a boundary,” Sarson says. “Whereas, in the eastern part of the country where forage is plentiful, densities increase, and the fence becomes much more of physical barrier.”

Sarson works with municipalities, vineyards, orchards and others looking for exclusion fencing to keep deer, feral pigs and rabbits out. “I’ve seen deer in cities where I wonder where they live. Before they began using our exclusion products, Princeton, N.J., had a horrendous problem; plants couldn’t grow in city parks, and everything from six feet down on the trees is gone.”

Cost-per-foot

Regardless of purpose or style preference, before buying a roll of fencing, Sarson says to consider cost-per-foot. And, he explains producers can most often get the best price if they purchase the strongest wire. Which is the reason Sarson says calculating cost-per-foot often begins with tensile strength. Tensile strength is the resistance of steel or another material to break under pressure. As Sarson explains, the greater the tensile strength, the smaller gauge, lighter weight and less flexible the steel, which reduces cost per roll, risk of sag and number of fence posts needed to complete the project.

High-tensile wire fencing products have been available since the early 1970's. Bekaert has manufactured their own fencing products since the 1880's, and today manufacturing is done in Van Buren, AR. The Van Buren facility is also where the company applies protective coatings. Finishes prevent corrosion and protect a fence’s longevity. Determining the protective finish needed depends upon the region, Sarson explains. “It’s interesting, in the west— Kansas, the Dakotas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana—a Class 1 coated wire will last almost as long as a Class 3 coating in the east because in the east we have acid rains, high humidity and coastal air.”