Field Fencing: History & Uses

At its core, field fencing is a wire fence often used on farms and ranches to contain cattle and discourage predators. But there are many other uses for field fencing for folks who don’t have cattle. They may not be super common in every area of the country, but where they’re present, they’re prevalent.

Let’s break down the history of field fencing, the types and uses of current field fencing, and technological advancements in the field fencing industry.

A History of Field Fencing

Field fencing is also known as agricultural fencing due to its history. The origins of its use date back to the mid-19th century. It was a big part of agricultural and ranching development. In the years before 1867, the “open range” system was largely prevalent in the Western U.S., and the settlers shared resources. But as the West developed, people began bickering over land use.

Farmers began creating fences to keep livestock away from their crops, and ranchers erected fences to keep their livestock safe from predators. Many patents detailing the designs for spiked fences were processed at this time. It’s important to note that this era is known for introducing the development of barbed wire.

FACT: Barbed wire fences revolutionized cattle fencing, and even though they were met with resistance for some time, they continue to be one of the most used field fencing materials today.

Field Fencing Types & Their Uses

Now, there are many types of field fencing. However, the most common are barbed wire, woven wire, welded wire, high tensile wire, aluminum wire, and wood.

Barbed Wire

As previously established, barbed wire is the most common type of field fencing. It’s a fence with sharp barbs along the wire strands to keep cattle from pushing against it. Barbed wire is more affordable than materials like brick, wood, or aluminum. It requires little maintenance, withstands harsh weather, discourages unauthorized entry with its intimidating nature, and is highly effective for livestock.

Woven Wire

A woven wire fence is a flexible barrier of vertical and horizontal wires woven together. The tight weave of its wires makes it difficult for animals to squeeze through or climb over, and the weave can be customized according to the size of your livestock.

Woven wire fences are also built to withstand harsh weather, impact, and wear and tear and are known to last 20-30 years. They are very versatile, as they can serve multiple uses and animal types.

Welded Wire

Welded wire is field fencing made by spot-welding individual wires together where they intersect. Due to the welding, these fences are incredibly strong and resistant to forces like predators, intruders, and strong winds. Their inflexible openings make them more durable than chain link or woven wire fences.

They’re also often made from galvanized steel, making them long-term, low-maintenance fences resistant to rust, corrosion, and general wear and tear. This versatile fencing solution maintains its integrity even if some wires are broken.

High Tensile Wire

These are non-electric fences made of tightly stretched wires spaced between 6 and 52 inches apart, depending on the animal’s size. They work great for horses and quiet cattle, but the wires may need to be closer together for sheep and goats.

That said, it’s affordable, easy to build, and lasts longer than most other types of field fencing. It also tends to be safer on livestock because it goes much easier on them than barbed wire.

Aluminum Wire

Though aluminum may not be as durable as other materials like steel, it’s a better conductor for electrified fences and is resistant to rain, moisture, rust, rot, and corrosion. It’s easy to build as it’s lightweight, doesn’t kink or break, can be twisted or tied, and can be cut with regular tools.

Wood

Wood fencing is a good option for smaller pastures and keeping horses. It can be adjusted to fit the contours of the land and dimensions of the farm, can be built to any height, and can be braced with additional wood. It’s resistant to impact, provides higher levels of privacy, and can be stained or painted to match the landscape.

Innovative Uses for Field Fencing

Whether you use field fencing to keep cattle or as a regular fencing solution, there are innovative ways to use it beyond the traditional, such as garden trellises, decorative yard elements, or wildlife barriers.

If you have a field fence but don’t keep cattle, it’s a perfect opportunity to use it as a trellis, particularly if the fence has a smaller weave. Vertical gardening and natural aesthetics are currently popular landscaping trends, making a field fence an ideal design element.

Similarly, rustic yard elements are also growing in popularity–and nothing is more rustic than a field fence. Whether you decorate the entire perimeter of your space in a rustic way or salvage one part of the fence to display in your garden, field fencing provides an unconventional but trendy decoration element.

Using field fencing as a wildlife barrier isn’t too far off from its intended use, but there are more innovative ways to do this than by placing a fence in your yard. For example, you could install field fencing under your deck to keep rodents, skunks, and other animals from getting under it. You can also build one around your vegetable garden to keep your crops from being eaten.

There are even wildlife-friendly versions of field fencing that allow animals to pass over or under the fence, so you can still enjoy wildlife while also containing them in spaces that won’t ruin your landscaping.

Technology & Innovations in Field Fencing

The future of fencing is leaning towards advanced materials and smart technology. Regarding advanced materials, there is an emphasis on using recycled plastic for fence posts. They can be used in wet, rough, or steep areas where installing other fencing is difficult and won’t rust, rot, or disrupt electrical fencing.

There’s also an emphasis on fixed knot fences, which are made of interconnected vertical and horizontal wires that form squares and rectangles. It’s more durable, versatile, and safe than traditional barbed wire or hinged-joint fencing. They’re also efficient for multiple livestock types.

Smart technology has also entered the fencing industry. Virtual fences use GPS, cellular communication, audio signals, and sensors to create invisible fences for livestock–imagine installing livestock fencing without a physical fence. The sensors react when an animal reaches or crosses the boundary, first with an audio signal and then with a mild shock if the animal doesn’t respond.

This is especially helpful for rotational grazing efforts and helping ranchers track their herds. Plus, it’s better for the environment, as it improves soil health, protects water sources, and maintains natural landscapes.