Dec. 02, 2024
The history of cattle fencing in the United States dates back to the mid-19th century and is deeply intertwined with the development of agriculture and ranching. Tejas Ranch & Game Fence owner John Payne is a fifth-generation Texan. He has heard family stories of his ancestors going to Mexico and bringing a thousand sheep back to West Texas, running a successful sheep business on the open lands. His family eventually got into the cattle business and witnessed the introduction of the fence and its dramatic change to the landscape of raising cattle in Texas.
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Before , the &#;open range&#; system was prevalent, particularly in the Western United States. Cattle and sheep roamed freely across vast public and private land, grazing the open prairie. Homesteaders shared pastures and water resources with other settlers, and roundups were used to gather livestock. This system worked relatively well when abundant land and population density were low. However, as settlers moved westward, conflicts between ranchers, farmers, and homesteaders became increasingly common.
Farmers began creating fences to keep livestock from damaging crops and grasses. Ranchers erected fences to keep sheep and cattle safe from larger predators. Between and , the U.S. Patent Office processed over 200 patents for various hand-made &#;spiked fencing types.&#; In , Joseph F. Glidden emerged victorious from the patent battle with a mechanically produced fencing material, barbed wire, that could be made on a large scale.
The introduction of barbed wire in the s revolutionized cattle fencing, providing an affordable and effective means of enclosing large land areas. It quickly gained popularity among ranchers and farmers who sought to protect
their crops from roaming cattle and delineate property boundaries. The widespread use of barbed wire led to the enclosure movement, which fundamentally changed the landscape of the American West. It marked the end of the open range era, as ranchers began fencing off their land, leading to the decline of long cattle drives and the rise of more controlled, stationary forms of livestock management.
The adoption of barbed wire was not without controversy, and conflicts between large ranching operations and small farmers and homesteaders emerged. This sparked what became known as the &#;range wars.&#; In some cases, ranchers would cut the fences of farmers to reassert their cattle&#;s access to traditional grazing lands, leading to violent confrontations or &#;fence-cutting wars.&#; These conflicts were symptomatic of the broader tensions during rapid economic and social change in the American West.
Over time, legal frameworks and government policies evolved to support fencing and private land ownership, solidifying the role of barbed wire and other types of fencing in American agricultural practices. Today, cattle fencing remains a critical component of agricultural infrastructure in the United States, reflecting the historical evolution of land use practices and the ongoing need for effective livestock management.
Alright, so you&#;ve finally found your dream ranch, but you&#;ve noticed that the livestock fencing leaves something to be desired. So what is the best fence for cattle?
When it comes to buying a ranch, small fixes such as fencing can be overlooked for the right property. Not to mention, fence maintenance is a regular occurrence on any ranch property.
As experts in ranch real estate and ranch management, we understand the nuances of what makes the best cattle fence. There are endless options for livestock fencing, and there may be several different types of fencing on your property. Here&#;s a look at what works the best for cattle fences.
Before we dive into the best fence for cattle, you&#;ll need to consider several factors when designing a fence. First, what type of animal are you penning? We are focused on cattle in this article, but different fencing is appropriate for different types of livestock.
Next, consider your budget. Some fencing types are more expensive than others. Consider the lifecycle cost of the cattle fence (maintenance, how often it needs to be replaced, etc). Other specifications to pay attention to include:
Unlike cows, bulls need a bit more robust fencing. These fences should be taller and more durable to handle a rowdy bull. Also, for higher trafficked areas like birthing pens and stock holds, you&#;ll want a more durable cattle fence.
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Below is a look at the different fencing options for cattle. The best fence for cattle is the one that is the most suited to what the goals of your cattle ranch are. Some fencing systems will work better for large ranches, some for small. Others work well in high-trafficked areas and others are better suited for bulls and other livestock.
Hinged joint fencing is arguably the best fence for cattle. The fence is simple, with a grid-like pattern and wooden posts. These fences are ideal for pastures that have more than just cattle. Horses and goats like them too and are less likely to get tangled in the fence.
Hinged joint fences are cost-effective, but don&#;t last as long as other options. Once an animal leans into the fence, it won&#;t go back to its original shape. There will be adequate maintenance to check up on. Lastly, if there are wild hogs in the area, this fence won&#;t stand up to their snouts wallowing deep holes in the fence.
For more of an upfront cost, you can get a long-lasting fence with high tensile fixed-knot wire fencing. As the best fence for cattle, these fences keep their shape, last longer, and don&#;t need nearly as many replacement and repairs. The high-tensile strength keeps predators and hogs at bay, while the smooth wires keep livestock safe. The big drawback? It&#;s more expensive upfront.
The best cattle fence isn&#;t electrified. In fact, electric fences are typically more trouble than they are worth. The only exception to this rule is with bull pens. Since bulls in heat can be quite the handful, an electric fence is a great option. Some electric fencing works well as temporary cattle fences. However, overall the cost and maintenance of an electric fence don&#;t make this fence type the best for cattle.
Long gone are the days of a full barbed wire fence. Animals can easily get caught or rub against a barbed wire fence, creating festering wounds. However, that doesn&#;t mean that the best fence for cattle doesn&#;t have barbed wire. In fact, many of the high-tensile and hinged joint fencing use a single strand of barbed wire at the top.
This strand sits above where the cattle would lean and is used primarily to keep out predators and unwanted trespassers.
Wooden post fencing, although aesthetic, isn&#;t the best fence for cattle. Largely because it&#;s expensive, high-maintenance, and a pain to install. However, for other livestock such as horses, wooden post fencing is an excellent choice.
One application where wooden post fencing would make one of the best cattle fences is if you have just one or two dairy cows. For small cattle operations (think mostly for milk or raising a cow for family beef) a wooden post fence works well as an aesthetic fencing option.
An alternative to wooden post fencing is a synthetic fence. Typically made out of PVC pipe, these fences have the look and feel of a wooden fence, without the rot factor. Again, synthetic fences are expensive (more than their wooden counterparts), but they hold up to brutal weather and abuse.
Synthetic fences are some of the best fences for cattle if you just have a single cow or a pair. They are better suited for very small cattle fences specifically used for just a couple of animals.
Overall, the best cattle fence is a balance between intended use, budget, and safety concerns. There plenty of options for fencing when it comes to livestock, so take all the unique factors of your ranch into consideration before making a decision.
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