Welded Wire Fencing Question

[jhambley]

Thought I would ask for some advice on a fencing project close to my house.

I'm thinking of using welded wire panels to build some fencing (for cattle/sheep). The area covers about 5 acres and is pretty flat. Was thinking I could set a post every 16' (the panel length) and then set metal t-posts in between. I was concerned about the cattle riding the fence and how it might hold up.

I thought this would be a easy fence to build a little at a time and should look and last better than woven wire. It would also give me the flexibility to run some sheep as well.

Your input would be appreciated.

 

[dun]

Very expensive. Yes the cows will ride it/rub on it to scraatch more then any other fence. I have a couple of 100 foot sections done that way and I think I spend more time on them then I do on the field fence.
Properly done, even improperly, field fence will last for a long, long time. Properly done it will look good that whole time. I'm in the process of tearing out old (improperly installed) field fence that is a minimum of 75 years old. The main reason for tearing it out is the MF roses have grown up through it so bad that they've pretty well destroyed it.

dun

 

[Saltydawg]

Glad to know my place isnt the only one with them stinkin MF roses ruining things lol.

I'll be a rich man when I figure out a easy way to get rid them :lol:

 

[Workinonit Farm]

I'll be a rich man when I figure out a easy way to get rid them :lol:

Until then, you could get rich if you could find a way to market them.

Regarding panels as fence. As dun said, its an expensive way to go. I've got some field fence that's been here roughly 15 years and still looks good. For what you would pay for just 330' worth of panels (the average prices for these materials where I live) you would pay roughly $580.00. For a 330' roll of field fence you would pay roughly $120.00.

Katherine

 

[HOSS]

I have been clearing woods and hedge rows on 60 acres getting it ready to put under fence. Whenever I hit a stretch of those big rose bushes progress slows down to a crawl. Today I cut some that had stems as big around as my wrist. No joke or exaggeration. They were so intertwined with trees that I tied the stems to the tractor and pulled them out. I still got plenty scratched up....right on top of my sunburn.

 

[dun]

I have been clearing woods and hedge rows on 60 acres getting it ready to put under fence. Whenever I hit a stretch of those big rose bushes progress slows down to a crawl. Today I cut some that had stems as big around as my wrist. No joke or exaggeration. They were so intertwined with trees that I tied the stems to the tractor and pulled them out. I still got plenty scratched up....right on top of my sunburn.

Had some of those, thought I was going to need a blood transfusion monday but tourniquets took care of it. Neighbor asked if I'ld been arm wrestling with a mountain lion

dun

 

[plbcattle]

I just priced that very fence today. I am putting a 2 7/8 pipe every 8 feet with a 2 3/8 top rail. I am using the welded feedlot panel at tsc for $14. I saw a really neat and durable fence done this way. If you will take a fence puller or a comealong(sp) about every 4 or 5 strands and pull it and weld it as you go. This is very secure and cattle will not push through it. I don't know if this is economical for a premieter fence, I use it for smaller pens,bull pens, and feed pens. The pipe is $1.38 foot for the 2 7/8 and $.70 a foot for the 2 3/8.
per 16 foot section should be around $50-$55. hope this helps

 

[Saltydawg]

I have been clearing woods and hedge rows on 60 acres getting it ready to put under fence. Whenever I hit a stretch of those big rose bushes progress slows down to a crawl. Today I cut some that had stems as big around as my wrist. No joke or exaggeration. They were so intertwined with trees that I tied the stems to the tractor and pulled them out. I still got plenty scratched up....right on top of my sunburn.

There never used to be any MF roses on this farm when my Grandpa had it.
Then some snake oil salesman convinced my grandpa that MF roses would make good fenceline so Gramps bought some........

60 Years later the local Indians stand in the woods laughing at me and call me Dances with Rose bushes........

 

[dj]

I notice Okla wire and steel advertises a bull wire for fencing.
5x100 with six inch spacing for 99.35
When they call it 6x6 remesh it's $10 cheaper.

 

[dun]

A while back I looked at the welded continuous fence fence. Was a lot cheaper then the cattle panels. Big problem was having to dig holes for the 4 inch posts to mount it on

dun

 

[dj]

I only came up with $1.27 a foot for the panels and t-posts.
And you still have something to resell. I've seen them bring more used at auctions than new.
Continuous 5 bar is over $6 a foot(might be found cheaper)
I haven't noticed people recouping the costs of continuous fencing.

 

[jhambley]

dj

Can you tell me how you are calulating $1.27 per foot? Where are you pricing these? Are you still talking about welded wire panels and t posts?

 

[rkm]

M F rose was sold to farmers by Soil Conservation {USDA}. They had a cost share program to plant it for fencing. Farmers were told it wouldn't spread. Then they had a cost share program to get rid of it. By then it had spread to the woods and creek banks. Now it is a curse on the land. I guess you should believe half of what you hear and none of what the government says. :shock: :shock:

 

[andybob]

I've had a lot of sucess using Boergoats behind a six strand electric fence to clear rose, bramble and briar. The goats have a ready market amongst the Hispanics.
Sorry I cant help with the fencing question, I use electric fences for all paddocks at present.

 

[dj]

dj

Can you tell me how you are calulating $1.27 per foot? Where are you pricing these? Are you still talking about welded wire panels and t posts?

4 ga panel 13.35
t-post 2.99
One panel and 2 post per 16'= 19.33 for 16'= oops 1.21 per ft

edited to add supplier Race bro.s farm supply Springfield,MO

 

[Hawk]

4 ga panel 13.35
t-post 2.99
One panel and 2 post per 16'

Seems to me that your fence would be awfully flimsily with just a t-post at each end. I build a small holding pen using cattle panels but I put a 5" wooden post at the ends of each panel and three t-posts in between (4 foot spacing). I overlapped the panels at the wooden posts and nailed them down solid with fence staples. This pen is pretty sturdy but it wouldn't hold a determined cow that wanted to get out. I really think that you need more support than you are allowing for. Good luck.

 

[jhambley]

I was thinking something more like this...but maybe not using railroad ties

http://www.windward.org/notes/notes57/fence.htm

 

[Hawk]

There you go. That what I'm talking about. From your earlier post it sounded like you were only planning on having the t-posts at the ends of the panels (1 panel and 2 posts). The fence in the link looks sturdy enough, but expensive and labor intensive to install. What's wrong with good old barbed wire? You can build a good five strand fence a lot cheaper (labor + material) and you will have a first rate fence for years to come.

 

[jhambley]

Barbed wire is probably what I'll end up with. Working with it seems to be a pain and I thought the panels would last longer. I also have a couple of smaller kids (4 and 6 years old) and the fencing will be close to the house. You never know when they'll have friends over and trip and fall into a fence. That's another reason I wasn't considering high tensile electric.

My wife wants fencing that will look nice for years to come but I can't afford to build a fence that's looks like the Lexington Horse Park. :lol:

Thanks for all your help!

 

[dun]

Depending on the area you need to fence and have "look good", you might consider 2X4 welded wire. To keep the dogs from tangling with the miscellaneious coon/skunk/possum/diller, etc., we fenced an area around the house with it. Isn;t as fancy looking as chain link, but it works and looks decent enough for a farm.

dun