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Estimated Costs for Livestock Fencing
Fencing
costs are one of the most expensive aspects of livestock
grazing. The type of fence constructed greatly impacts the cost
per foot, total cost, and annual ownership cost. In addition,
the shape of the paddocks affects the amount of materials needed
and labor required for construction of the fence.
This
publication compares the costs of building a 1/4-mile (1,320
feet) straight perimeter fence with four different types of
permanent fencing plus temporary interior fencing. These are:
woven wire, barbed wire, high-tensile non-electric, high-tensile
electrified, and temporary interior fencing.
The type
of fencing selected varies by personal choice and the species of
livestock to be confined. In general all configurations shown
can be used with cattle, woven wire and high-tensile electrified
can be used with sheep, and woven wire can be used with hogs.
The list
of materials needed for each type of fencing is from Fencing
Costs for Nebraska (see references at the end of the
article). Costs were adjusted to 2005 prices provided by a
number of Iowa retailers, although prices may vary. Labor was
figured at $13.60 per hour, the average fence building labor
charge reported in the 2005 Iowa Custom Rate Survey,
FM-1698. Gates have not been included in the estimates.
Fencing
can be configured in many different ways, using various types of
fencing materials. The examples in this publication provide a
general comparison between the following five configurations.
Woven wire fence
The woven
wire fence (see Table 1) employs a brace that uses two 8-inch
diameter posts and a 4-inch diameter cross-brace at each end.
Posts between the braces are steel “T” posts alternated with
4-inch diameter pressure-treated wood posts. All posts are
spaced 12 feet apart with one strand of barbed wire at the top.
Barbed wire fence
Materials
for the barbed wire fence (see Table 2) are similar to the woven
wire fence except that five strands of barbed wire are
substituted for the woven wire and single strand of barbed wire.
High-tensile non-electric wire fence
The high
tensile non-electric fence (see Table 3) uses 8 strands of
12.5-gauge high-tensile wire on 4-inch diameter pressure-treated
wood posts. Posts are 20 feet apart. Bracing utilizes three 8
inch diameter posts and two 4 inch diameter cross braces on each
end. Wire tension on this fence is maintained with springs and
ratchet-type tensioning devices.
An
alternative would be to set posts 30 feet apart and place two
stay rods in the wire between each set of posts. Cost would be
reduced about $65 for every 1,320 feet of fence, or $0.05 per
foot.
High-tensile electrified wire fence
The high
tensile electrified fence (see Table 4) uses five strands of
12.5 gauge high tensile wire with three charged and two grounded
wires. Bracing utilizes three 8 inch diameter posts and two 4
inch diameter cross braces on each end. With the exception of
brace posts, steel “T” posts spaced 25 feet apart are used. One
quarter of the cost of an electric energizer is included in the
cost of the 1,320 foot fence on the basis that such a unit would
be used to energize at least a mile of fence. Wire tension on
this fence is maintained with springs and ratchet type
tensioning devises.
Electrified polywire fence (interior use only)
The
polywire fence (see Table 5) uses one strand of polywire. With
the exception of the end posts, fiberglass rod posts are used
and spaced 40 feet apart. One-fourth of the cost of an electric
energizer is included in the cost of 1,320 feet of fence on the
basis that such a unit would be used to energize at least a mile
of fence.
If
substituting polytape for polywire, the total will increase by
about $30–$35 because polytape costs about twice as much as
polywire. If substituting high-tensile wire for polywire, the
cost will increase by about $75 (change includes switching to
5/8-inch diameter fiberglass posts).
Estimating ownership costs
Ownership
costs for each type of fence also vary (see Table 6). In
addition to the initial material, labor, and construction costs,
owners need to determine depreciation and maintenance costs
required over the useful life of the fencing. An average annual
ownership cost is estimated for each type of fencing. The
ownership cost of polywire and polytape is more difficult to
estimate than for other types of
fencing. The
non-wire/tape components have an estimated life of 25 years; the
polywire and polytape will likely last about 4 to 5 years. Based
on these estimates, the annual ownership cost for a polywire or
polytape fence is approximately $0.03–$0.04 per foot.
A
lawful fence. Chapter 359A.18 of the Iowa Code states:
A lawful fence in Iowa shall consist of:
1.Three rails of good substantial material fastened in or to
good substantial posts not more than ten feet apart.
2. Three boards not less than six inches wide and
three-quarters of an inch thick, fastened in or to good
substantial posts not more than eight feet apart.
3. Three wires, barbed with not less than thirty-six
iron barbs of two points each, or twenty-six iron barbs of
four points each, on each rod of wire, or of
four wires, two thus barbed and two smooth, the wires to be
firmly fastened to posts not more than two rods apart with not
less than two stays between posts, or with posts more than one
rod apart without such stays, the top wire to be not more than
fifty-four nor less than forty-eight inches in height.
4. Wire either wholly or in part, substantially built and
kept in good repair, the lowest or bottom rail, wire, or board
not more than twenty nor less than sixteen inches from the
ground, the top rail, wire, or board to be between forty-eight
and fifty-four inches in height and the middle rail, wire, or
board not less than twelve nor more than eighteen inches above
the bottom rail, wire, or board.
5. A fence consisting of four parallel, coated steel, smooth
high-tensile wire which meets requirements adopted by the
American society of testing and materials, including but not
limited to requirements relating to the grade, tensile strength,
elongation, dimensions, and tolerances of the wire. The wire
must be firmly fastened to plastic, metal, or wooden posts
securely planted in the earth. The posts shall not be more than
two rods apart. The top wire shall be at least forty inches in
height.
6. Any other kind of fence which the fence viewers consider
to be equivalent to a lawful fence or which meets the standards
established by the department of agriculture and land
stewardship by rule as equivalent to a lawful fence.
References
Gerrish,
J., Fence Systems for Grazing Management, University of
Missouri, Forage Research Center, Linneus, MO
Morrical, D., Wells, G., & Shouse, S., Fencing Systems for
CRP Land, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, IA, 1994
(CRP-8)
Norton, N., Clarke, R., Baker, M., & Malm, L., Livestock
Fencing Costs and Information, University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension, 1996, (EC96-820-B)
Pfeiffer, G., Fencing Costs for Nebraska, University of
Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1990
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