|
Here is a realistic cost comparison of different types of fencing for livestock.
Prepared by: Jimmy Fitzgerald
Lead Farm Worker
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 ($) |
|
|
2037.60 |
| Total ($) 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 |
8.00 |
7 |
56.00 |
| 6 J charger |
368.00 |
1 |
368.00 |
| Underground cable (50') |
6.75 |
1 |
6.75 |
| Lightning arrestor |
10.85 |
1 |
10.85 |
| Surge protector |
5.00 |
1 |
5.00 |
| Total ($) |
|
|
446.60 |
| $ 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') |
75.00 |
1 |
75.00 |
| 170,000 psi Hi-tensile wire (2000') |
44.00 |
1 |
44.00 |
| In-line strainers |
2.85 |
4 |
11.40 |
| 6.5' steel T-post (1.33) 25'space |
3.30 |
52 |
171.60 |
| Pin lock insulators |
0.33 |
208 |
68.64 |
| Double U insulators |
0.85 |
8 |
6.80 |
| Hedge corners |
16.00 |
4 |
64.00 |
| Brace pipe |
6.00 |
2 |
12.00 |
| Crimp sleeves |
0.13 |
20 |
2.60 |
| Labor (per rod) |
4.00 |
80 |
320.00 |
| Corner labor |
|
|
80.00 |
|
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 ($) |
| 170,000 psi Hi-tensile wire (4000') |
75.00 |
1 |
75.00 |
| In-line strainers |
2.85 |
2 |
5.70 |
| 6.5' steel T-post (1.33) 60'space |
3.30 |
22 |
72.60 |
| Pin lock insulators |
0.33 |
44 |
14.52 |
| Double U insulators |
0.85 |
4 |
3.40 |
| Hedge corners |
16.00 |
2 |
32.00 |
| Crimp sleeves |
0.13 |
6 |
0.78 |
| Labor (per rod) |
2.25 |
80 |
180.00 |
| Corner labor |
|
|
40.00 |
|
Total ($) |
|
|
424.00 |
|
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) |
35.50 |
1 |
35.50 |
| Poly wire reel |
30.00 |
1 |
30.00 |
| Step in post |
2.50 |
20 |
50.00 |
| Gate handle |
3.60 |
1 |
3.60 |
| Labor @ 20.00/hr |
20.00 |
0.25 |
5.00 |
|
Total ($) |
|
|
124.10 |
|
Total ($) per foot |
|
|
0.09 |
|
Material ($) per foot |
|
|
0.09 |
Click Here To Return to Archives Index
|
