|
Ron in Nebr
11-30-2004 20:07:30
|
|
Re: O.T. Barb Wire Fence construction in reply to Ron (Tex), 11-29-2004 13:46:32
|
|
| |
We run around 950 cows on about 16,000 acres. We measure our new fencing needs in miles, not yards or rods, and I do most of our fence repair and new fence construction myself, so I can't really give you a price on what contract fencing is worth these days. Built several miles worth of 3 and 4 wire barbed wire fence in the past few years, however. Like others have mentioned, the price will vary substantially on what type of soil you have. Also I'd agree with the other posters about letting the contractor furnish materials. They're his, he has to stand behind them, and he can buy in bulk and should hopefully pass the savings on to you. One thing I'd like to add though, is that although you didn't say what kind of critters this new fence is supposed to keep in(or out), we have about 8 miles of major highway running right through the middle of our place and get by just fine with 4 wire fence for our cattle. We use some 4, some 3, and there's even a few older 2 wire fences on the place for dividing fence, and they all work just fine as long as the cattle have enough to eat where they're at. A cow will pretty much go where she wants, and if she's got her mind set on getting out, nothing short of a solid, high, corral-type fence all the way around the place will keep her in. I've seen cows jump right on the top of wire fences and gates and snap the wires like string. So, to a point, the more wires you have, the more it's going to cost initially, and the more upkeep there'll be keeping them all tight. Not to say that 5 or 6 or 7 or 13 wires won't help discourage a cow who's just pushing to reach a bit more green grass, but here where cows are our only business 4 wires works just fine, and for any more wires, the cost exceeds the benefits.
|
|
|
