Proper fencing helps farmers to focus on doing what they love – producing food and caring for their animals.
When was the last time you thought about upgrading the safety and security of your property? Whether you have hectares of cash crops, pens of livestock, barns of poultry or rows of fruit trees, fencing plays a crucial role in your operations.
Farm fences of every shape and size help to make farmers’ lives easier: they divide properties, protect animals and keep predators out.
The type of fence you need depends on your farm’s needs and location, but here are three of Ontario’s most popular farm fencing options.
Wood Board Fences
Add charm to your farm with classic wood board fencing. This beautiful barrier creates a highly visible impediment between your property and your neighbours or roads, simultaneously adding value to your land.
The best way to install the wooden posts is by using a post pounder, which does the process quickly and cleanly. They are connected by wooden boards, usually three or four rows, either pressure treated or white oak. When done, wood rails keep large livestock out and prevent harm to horses which may have difficulty seeing thin wire fences.
Left untreated, a wood board fence can last 15 to 20 years, and regular treatment can help wood last as long as 30 years. That being said, wood board fencing is often the most costly fencing option, and requires a maintenance plan to keep it looking great for many years to come. Keeping on top of basic maintenance every year will help to keep expenses from piling up.
Woven Wire Fences
Woven wire is the go-to choice for farmers with animals – or those who want to keep predators out.
The galvanized wires are woven together to create an extremely strong and resilient grid pattern, and can be customized for many animal types and sizes. A pasture for cows would need larger spacing between wires and a higher height; a pen for chicken and rabbits would have smaller spacing and smaller height.
If you want to keep small predators off your property, you’re best to go with spacing as small as possible – 2” – but controlling wild pests will always be a battle, no matter the fencing you choose. Creating a separate night pen for livestock like sheep, can help to mitigate losses.
If you’re determined to do the installation of woven-wire fencing on your own, and not seek the service of local professionals, this option can be easier to install than others.
High Tensile Fences
Ontario’s most-popular animal farm fence is the one that has a long lifetime, requires little maintenance, is very durable and has a smaller upfront investment. Its simplicity results in fast installation time and can last up to 30 years, even in Ontario’s harsh weather conditions.
The three to seven conductive wires spaced down the posts allow for electrification, making the fence quite an effective solution to limit the access of wild animals (deer, coyotes, etc.) and increase the safety for your animals. (Horses, cows, pigs, goats etc.) Fencing used to divide your paddocks may not need to have the same security of your perimeter fencing, so keep in mind that each section can be customized for your needs.
Keep in mind that horses have sight issues with high-tensile fencing, so a non-conductive polymer coating can be applied to high-tensile fencing to allow them to see the fence better and reduce injuries.
On the Fence?
There are plenty of materials to choose from here, but equally important is the fence system’s planning, design and installation. That’s where In-Line Fence sets itself apart and provides a full suite of services that allows farmers to focus on the things that matter – their business – while their team of fence experts take great pride in delivering the solution you need.
Contact In-Line Fence owner John Kardux to discuss your unique needs and craft a fence solution that you will be happy with for decades to come. Reach John at jkardux@in-linefence.ca or 226-228-3757.
Learn more about types of fencing and the range of services In-Line Fence offers by continuing to browse www.In-LineFence.ca.
Border Dispute?
If you’re installing a new perimeter fence, be sure you know your property’s exact boundary lines, and speak with your neighbours about what you’re planning to do. If conflicts arise, Ontario has The Line Fences Act, which can help to mediate.
