• Topics: Animal Sciences | North Florida REC-Quincy | Barber, Derek L | Fences | Small Farms

Estimated Livestock Fencing Costs for the Small-Farm Owner¹

One of the most expensive costs for a small-farm owner considering the production of livestock is pasture fencing. The type of permanent fence constructed impacts the cost per foot and total cost. This publication compares the cost of constructing a ¼-mile (1,320 feet) fence with two different types of permanent fencing plus temporary interior fencing for rotational grazing.

The type of fence constructed varies with personal choice and the species of livestock to be confined. The two types of fencing illustrated are field wire and barbed wire. The list of tools (Table 1) and the materials needed for each type of fencing provided below is standard in the construction of a fence. Costs were obtained from an average price provided by a number of local retailers in North Central Florida, although prices may vary with location. Labor cost was not factored into the total cost, assuming that the landowner will be responsible for construction.

More information on livestock fence construction and fence brace assemblies can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an230 and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae018.

Field Wire Fence

The field fence is constructed with a double-H, or horizontal corner/end braces (Figure 2), by using three 6–8" × 8' wood posts and two 4" × 6'5" wood posts for the cross-brace at each end. A braced line post assembly (Figure 3) should be placed at a minimum of 660 feet apart from the end braces in a ¼-mile straight run. Posts between the braces may be either steel T-posts or 4" wood posts spaced 12 feet apart. One strand of barbed wire is placed 2" above the top of the field fence (Figure 4). Table 2 lists the materials and the estimated cost for a ¼ mile of field fence.

Figure 1. 

Types of brace assemblies

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Types of brace assemblies and where to locate them: (a) For fence lengths of 10 rods (165 feet) or less, use single span end construction. (b) For fence lengths of 10 to 40 rods (165 to 660 feet), use double span end construction. (c) For fences more than 40 rods (660 feet) long, use a braced-line-post assembly to divide the fence lengths. (d) On rolling land, fence stretching is easier if braced-line-post assemblies are located at the foot and top of each hill. (e) Contour fences more than 20 rods (330 feet) long should have a braced-line-post assembly installed to keep the stretches to 20 rods (330 feet) or less. Install in straight section at least one post span away from a curve. Do not install on a curve. Note: One rod equals 16½ feet.

Figure 2. 

Double horizontal corner/end brace. (Photograph by Derek Barber, UF/IFAS)

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Figure 3. 

Single horizontal line brace. (Photograph by Derek Barber, UF/IFAS)

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Figure 4. 

Field fence assembly (Speckmann and Steele)

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Figure 5. 

Field fence splice (Speckmann and Steele)

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Barbed Wire

Materials for barbed wire fence are similar to the field fence except that five strands of barbed wire are substituted for the field fence.

Figure 6. 

Five-strand barbed wire spacing (Speckmann and Steele)

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Interior Electrified Polywire

The polywire fence uses one strand of polywire. Instead of wood or steel T-post, fiberglass rods are used and spaced 40 feet apart. The polywire may be placed at a height of 26–34" above ground.

Summary

The cost of installing a ¼-mile of field fence is $298.04 or 22 cents a foot more than the construction of a barbed wire fence. The added cost of installing a field fence, on a cattle operation for example, may be justified by having the flexibility to house multi-species of animals (small ruminants, horses, or swine) if the need arises.

The estimated cost of materials to fence 10 acres with field fence would be $2,067.84 and a five-strand barbed wire fence would cost $1,471.76.

Figure 7. 

Acreage and fencing measurements

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Fence Worksheet

Fill in the worksheet with the amount and cost of materials for the fence you are considering.

References

Bucklin, R.A., B.T. French, R.S. Sand, and W.E. Kunkle. 1988. Fence brace assemblies. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service publication. Circular 792.

Mayer, R., and T. Olsen. 2005. Estimated costs for livestock fencing. Iowa State University Extension Service publication. FM 1855.

Speckmann, R., and J. Steele. 2009. Livestock fence construction. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service publication. AN230.

Wilson, R.K., and R.T. Clark. 2002. Costs of cattle fencing for grazing areas. University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service publication. EC830.

Worley, J.W. 2009. Fences for the farm. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service publication. Circular 774.

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Figure 7. 

Acreage and fencing measurements

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The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

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