Fence Types/Cost Comparison

Here is a realistic cost comparison of different types of fencing for livestock.

Prepared by: Jimmy Fitzgerald
Lead Farm Worker - Forage Systems Research Center, Linneus, Missouri

Costs may vary a bit from the time this information was prepared, but comparisons remain quite accurate.

Efficient And Cost Effective Fencing Systems For Livestock

Efficient means of controlling grazing livestock are necessary for optimum forage utilization. All grazing systems use a perimeter fence and, depending on the level of management applied, differing amounts of subdivision fencing may also be used. A good pasture system layout with fence will allow pastures to remain more productive throughout the year and increase total pounds of livestock produced per acre.

Different types of fencing are used for perimeter fence (permanent fence with nearly absolute livestock control), pasture division fence (used to divide the landscape into permanent management units based on soil type, terrain, or plant community), and allocation fencing (used to temporarily allocate portions of paddocks for a short time). These types of fence differ in construction materials used and construction cost.

NOTE: The material cost estimates below were current & relevant at the time of the writting of this article. Due to market fluctuations (normally upward) you will need to make cost adjustments for your particular area of the country.

Fencing costs associated with traditional permanent fence:

 

Woven wire fence

Item	Unit Price ($)	No. Needed	Total ($)
Woven wire-47?	153.00	4	612.00
2 pt. barb wire	45.00	2	90.00
Brace wire			15.00
Staples			5.00
Wood line post -4?	5.50	36	198.00
6.5' steel T-post (1.33)	3.30	72	237.60
Hedge corners	16.00	6	96.00
Brace pipe	6.00	4	24.00
Labor (per rod)	8.00	80	640.00
Corner labor			120.00
Total ($)			2,037.60
Total ($) per Foot			1.54
Material ($) per foot			0.97

 

4 wire, 2-point barbed fence

Item	Unit Price ($)	No. Needed	Total ($)
2 pt. barb wire	45.00	4	180.00
Brace wire			15.00
Staples			2.00
6.5' steel T-post (1.33)	3.30	108	356.40
Hedge corners	16.00	4	64.00
Brace pipe	6.00	2	12.00
Labor (per rod)	4.50	80	360.00
Corner labor			80.00
Total ($)			1069.40
Total ($) per Foot			0.81
Material ($) per foot			0.48

Fencing costs associated with electric fence:

 

Charging system for electric fence

Item	Unit Price ($)	No. Needed	Total ($)
Ground rod (6') with clamps	8	7	56
6 J charger	368	1	368
Underground cable (50')	6.75	1	6.75
Lightning arrestor	10.85	1	10.85
Surge protector	5	1	5
Total ($)			446.6
$ per foot of wire			0.01

 

Hi-tensile 4-wire (perimeter or subdivision)

Item	Unit Price ($)	No. Needed	Total ($)
170,000 psi Hi-tensile wire (4000')	75	1	75
170,000 psi Hi-tensile wire (2000')	44	1	44
In-line strainers	2.85	4	11.4
6.5' steel T-post (1.33) 25'space	3.3	52	171.6
Pin lock insulators	0.33	208	68.64
Double U insulators	0.85	8	6.8
Hedge corners	16	4	64
Brace pipe	6	2	12
Crimp sleeves	0.13	20	2.6
Labor (per rod)	4	80	320
Corner labor			80
Total ($)
			856.04
Total ($) per foot
			0.65
Material ($) per foot
			0.35

 

Hi-tensile 2-wire (subdivision fence)

Item	Unit Price ($)	No. Needed	Total ($)
170,000 psi Hi-tensile wire (4000')	75	1	75
In-line strainers	2.85	2	5.7
6.5' steel T-post (1.33) 60'space	3.3	22	72.6
Pin lock insulators	0.33	44	14.52
Double U insulators	0.85	4	3.4
Hedge corners	16	2	32
Crimp sleeves	0.13	6	0.78
Labor (per rod)	2.25	80	180
Corner labor			40
Total ($)
			424
Total ($) per foot
			0.32
Material ($) per foot
			0.15

 

Single wire poly step in fence temporary)

Item	Unit Price ($)	No. Needed	Total ($)
Poly wire (9 filament)	35.5	1	35.5
Poly wire reel	30	1	30
Step in post	2.5	20	50
Gate handle	3.6	1	3.6
Labor @ 20.00/hr	20	0.25	5
Total ($)
			124.1
Total ($) per foot
			0.09
Material ($) per foot
			0.09