

However, barbed wire is difficult to work with-inevitably tearing up pants, gloves and skin if it has half the chance. Meriwether, enabled those settling in the arid West (where wood was scarce) to operate farms and ranches. It also makes affordable riding arenas.īarbed wire, developed in 1853 by Texan William H. You get a great, no-maintenance product.”Īlthough wood is rarely used today for perimeter fencing of large pastures, its strength makes it a good choice for small pastures, handling facilities and paddocks designed to separate bulls or stallions from cows or mares. “By cladding pressure-treated wood with vinyl, you get a water-resistant product that is not exposed to solar radiation. “Solar radiation is what does wood in,” says Bill Mullin, owner of Stockton Lumber and Fence. Vinyl-coated wood can dramatically increase a wooden fence’s life span. Pressure-treated lumber will last for about seven years without painting or staining, but carries a higher cost than untreated lumber. Without dedicated maintenance, a wooden fence will suffer. In humid climates, a wooden fence has a life expectancy of about 20 years with a regular maintenance schedule, including painting or staining every few years. The wood at lumberyards is typically softer wood that requires diligent upkeep. Today, this type of wood is generally unavailable. But for early fence builders, the heartwood of aged, hardwood trees was readily available, and this heartwood had longevity-often lasting 100 years with little attention.

Traditionally, wood was the best choice for fencing, often cut and milled right off the farm. Before purchasing fences, consider all your options and how they will best suit your farm. Installing fencing on your farm is a task that will cost you both time and money.
