How Much is Your Old Fence Costing You?

For many livestock producers, fence maintenance often falls to the bottom of the priority list — until something goes wrong. But as recent industry data and real-world examples demonstrate, this reactive approach to fence management can lead to significant financial and operational consequences.

Hidden Costs That Add Up:

• Ongoing maintenance and replacement parts
• Time and labor for emergency repairs
• Veterinary bills from livestock injuries
• Lost productivity on other essential farm tasks
• Potential liability issues and insurance complications

The Time -Value Equation

While farmers traditionally undervalue their time spent on fence maintenance, the opportunity cost is substantial. Medley offers a practical perspective: "It's more about what can you be doing instead of gathering up cows from a broken fence," Medley explains. “Could you have rolled 30 rows of hay or gotten the combine ready for harvest?"

Instead of repeatedly fixing failing fences, that time could be spent on revenue-generating activities or managing other aspects of the operation. Effective maintenance is crucial not just for containing livestock but for the overall economic health of the operation. 

Safety and Neighbor Relations

Medley also emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relationships: "Good fences make good neighbors. You can create relationship issues with your neighbors if your cattle are getting into their garden or into the flower bed."

A Strategic Approach to Replacement

For budget-conscious producers, Medley outlines several strategic approaches: "You can use alternative materials when you build. For example, you can do a combination of T-post and wood to save money."

He recommends a phased approach: "I recommend building it in phases. Typically a livestock producer will know where their most prone areas are for livestock and start with their highest pressure areas first."

Specific recommendations include:

• Phase replacement starting with highest-pressure areas
• Combine different materials for cost efficiency
• Choose appropriate fencing types based on specific livestock needs
• Complete sections within a planned 4-year period
• Time replacements with livestock sales

Proactive Inspection Protocol

Medley emphasizes the importance of regular inspections: “During the spring and after any significant weather events is a good time to check fences. Whether it's a big snow or heavy rain, look for limbs on the fence or rusty areas that could create issues."

Key inspection points:

• Complete thorough spring walk-through before rainy season
• Inspect after significant weather events
• Check connection points and staples for rust
• Examine areas near trees and termination points
• Document problem areas for planned maintenance.

The Equipment Mindset

Medley advocates for a shift in thinking about fencing maintenance: "We need to think about fencing the same way we think about other critical farm equipment,” Medley explains.

He adds that just as farmers wouldn't wait for a tractor to break down completely before planning its replacement, fencing requires the same forward-thinking approach. This shift in mindset — from reactive to proactive — can significantly reduce both immediate and long-term costs.