Your cattle fence is essential to keep your livestock safe and in one place. From the first fence post to the last staple, your design and materials need to be carefully planned to make your fence last as long as possible and ensure it can do the job. Here are a few tips that are often overlooked when building a fence.

Hardware & Design Suggestions for Fences

1. Consider the Environment

You shouldn't just think about keeping your livestock in but also keeping wildlife out. Coyotes can prey on sheep, and stray dogs can harass cattle. Use sturdy fastenings to ensure your fence can withstand animals, and test it from both directions; put a guard at the bottom to keep anything from digging under it.

2. Choose the Right Material

The right material for your fence depends on the type of animals you're trying to keep. An electric fence is good at keeping your animals in and everything else out, but if you attach it to metal fence posts, you're going to have frequent shorts that will hurt its effectiveness. On the other hand, if you're going purely for strength to keep horses or bulls in check, steel fence posts are the sturdiest option.

3. Reinforce Your Corner Posts

Wire fences are put under tension to keep them from sagging and creating gaps. The corner posts anchor each line and need to be sturdier than the rest of the posts. Make sure half of the length of the post is sunk into the ground, and support them with additional diagonal braces.

If you need fence posts and other building materials to build your new fence, get them from Sentinel Lumber & Hardware. Based in Ashland, MO, they have over 60 years of history serving the Boone County community, with a focus on providing quality materials at affordable prices. To learn more about their selection, call (573) 657-2164 or visit their website.