How to Estimate a Field Fence

Field fencing is a common sight around rural pastures, but makes a good property boundary anywhere.

Field fencing is a comparatively low-cost permanent fencing material useful for farm property, livestock enclosures, or property boundaries. It comes in large rolls of 45 to 330 feet in length. In order to make sure you have the right amount of fencing on hand when you begin your project, and save you from having to run out to the store in the middle of your work, measure the area you desire for the fence properly and calculate the amount needed ahead of time. Putting the proper amount of time and effort into your fence now will pay off for the long run, as this type of fence can last up to 20 years.

Things You'll Need

• Property map or aerial picture
• Tape measure (optional)

Instructions

1. Create a map to scale of your property. An aerial photo makes a great scale size visualization of your property. A copy of a professional land survey offers another excellent source that also includes some of the measurements to help you determine placement and distance.

2. Use a topographical map of the area from your county office if your land has a lot of hills and valleys. Slopes are important to calculate into your figures because they will have a different measurement than the same amount of flat land.

3. Draw an outline of where you want the fence to be. Use the map's determined scale to measure the distance of the outline. Property surveys have a scale value listed on them; for example, "1 inch equals 100 feet." These scales vary in distance relationships according to the individual type of map and type of property, such as farmland, residential, or rural estate. Large plots of land will have a greater distance per unit measured--inch, centimeter, etc.--than small plots. Topographical maps also feature scale listings, and show variances in land distance for grades, taking into account a greater distance per foot in hill or valley areas where ground slopes. If you make your own map, you will need to physically measure the ground area with a tape measure to determine the distance.

4. Buy your field fencing according to how many feet of fence line you need. Add a few extra feet for every fence opening for gates, doorways, or end posts by buildings that exist in the line.

Tips & Warnings

• Use posts every 10 feet for a strong support system. Decide if you need permanent wood posts and wire tension supports, or if T-posts will provide enough strength for your fencing needs. Use the measurements you figured out for the length of the fencing to determine how many posts you require.

• Buy 5-foot tall field fencing for large animal enclosures like horse or cow pastures. Shorter 3-foot fencing is fine for small livestock such as pygmy goats, or for pets like dogs.

References

• How to Install Bekaert High Tensile Fencing
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Planning Fencing Systems for Controlled Grazing
• How to Install a Woven-Wire Fence
• Dairy Goat Journal: A 'Little Bit' of Fency-Savy Advice
• Fantastic Farms: Pasture Fence Field Put Up Guide: How to Install a Fence Post Installation and More