Agricultural fencing facts for kids

A wooden agricultural fence.

Agricultural fencing is a special kind of fence used on farms. Farmers use these fences for many important reasons. They help keep farm animals, like cows, sheep, or horses, safely inside their fields. This stops the animals from wandering off or getting lost.

Fences are also super helpful for protecting crops that farmers grow. They can keep out wild animals, such as deer or rabbits, that might try to eat or damage the plants. So, agricultural fences are a key tool for farmers to manage their land and animals.

Why Farmers Use Fences

Farmers rely on fences for several big reasons. These fences help them manage their farms efficiently.

Keeping Animals Safe and Controlled

One main reason for fences is to control livestock. Livestock are animals raised on farms, like cattle, pigs, or chickens. Fences make sure these animals stay in their assigned areas. This prevents them from straying onto roads or neighboring properties. It also helps farmers keep different groups of animals separate. For example, young animals might need their own space.

Protecting Crops from Wildlife

Another important job for farm fences is protecting crops. Many wild animals, like deer, raccoons, or even birds, can cause a lot of damage to fields. They might eat young plants or trample them. A strong fence acts as a barrier, keeping these unwanted visitors out. This helps farmers grow healthy crops and get a good harvest.

Marking Property Lines

Fences also clearly show where one farm ends and another begins. They mark the boundaries of a farmer's land. This helps prevent arguments with neighbors about property lines. It also makes it clear who is responsible for which part of the land.

Types of Farm Fences

There are many different kinds of fences that farmers use. Each type has its own strengths and is good for different purposes.

Wooden Fences

Wooden fences are some of the oldest types of farm fences. They are often made from strong wood posts and rails. These fences look natural and can be very sturdy. They are good for containing larger animals like horses or cattle. Some wooden fences, like "rail fences," have horizontal logs stacked up.

Wire Fences

Wire fences are very common on farms because they are often less expensive and easier to install than wooden ones. There are several types of wire fences:

• Barbed Wire: This wire has sharp points, or barbs, twisted into it. It's very effective at keeping animals inside a pasture or keeping unwanted animals out. However, it can sometimes injure animals, so farmers use it carefully.
• Smooth Wire: Unlike barbed wire, smooth wire has no sharp points. It's safer for animals, especially horses, as it's less likely to cause cuts. Farmers often use multiple strands of smooth wire to create a strong barrier.
• Woven Wire: This fence is made of many wires woven together to create a mesh. The squares or rectangles in the mesh can be different sizes. Woven wire is great for smaller animals like sheep, goats, or even chickens, as they can't slip through the gaps. Some types are called "no climb" fences because the small openings prevent animals from getting their legs caught.
• Electric Fences: These fences use a small electric shock to deter animals. A wire carries a pulse of electricity. When an animal touches it, they get a harmless but surprising shock. This teaches them to stay away from the fence. Electric fences can be made of thin wire or even synthetic materials with fine wires woven inside. They are very effective even with just a few strands.

Other Fence Materials

Farmers also use other materials for fences depending on their needs.

• Pipe Fences: These are made from strong metal pipes welded together. They are extremely durable and don't break easily. Pipe fences are often used in corrals or areas where animals might lean or push against the fence a lot.
• Vinyl Fences: Some farmers use vinyl fences, especially for horses. These fences look clean and neat, and they don't rot or need painting like wood. They are often made of vinyl "rails" that look like wood but are much easier to maintain.

Images for kids

• 

  Timber agricultural fence (photo taken in 1938).

• 

  Chain link fence with barbed wire on top.

• 

  Detail of barbed wire

• 

  Smooth (or plain) wire is less likely to cause lacerations than barbed wire

• 

  A closely spaced woven wire such as this "no climb" fence has a lower risk of animals becoming entrapped and injured. Note "knots" at each junction securing the wire together

• 

  In addition to single strand wire, electric fencing is also made of synthetic materials with fine wire interwoven throughout the fence strands

• 

  Detail of electric cord fence with metal interwoven with nylon cord, attached to a steel fence post with a plastic insulator

• 

  Horse behind vinyl fence consisting of two vinyl 3-wire "rails" and one vinyl-covered wire

• 

  A pipe fence is very strong and will not break easily

• 

  A kangaroo trapped in ringlock or "sheep" fencing.