Tips & Tricks

Best Fencing to Keep Wild Hogs Out

by Judy Knowler January 18, 2023

From east to west, the Southern United States is home to wild hogs that disrupt and destruct ranching operations. These invasive animals aren’t predators, but they are a nuisance. Hogs are opportunistic feeders. They travel in herds and exhibit destructive behaviors that can damage pasturelands, making it more difficult to sustain healthy livestock.

A farmer’s first line of defense against wild hogs is fencing. A good fence does a lot more than keep livestock contained–it also keeps unwanted animals out. What kind of fencing keeps wild hogs out?

January 18, 2023

Tips & Tricks

How to Mend a Barbed Wire Fence

by Judy Knowler November 21, 2022

Barbed wire is the iconic staple of farms and ranches across the US. While there are more fencing options available today, barbed wire is still common–especially for perimeter fencing and cattle ranching. If you work with livestock, you’ll likely encounter barbed wire from time to time.

Barbed wire fences require maintenance like any other fencing material. Splicing wire to mend a fence is almost always a better option than replacing an entire fence line. Let’s take a look at two methods you can use to mend a barbed wire fence.

November 21, 2022

Tips & Tricks

Electric Fence Safety Tips

by Judy Knowler November 7, 2022

Electrical injuries–and sometimes even death–are more common than you might think. An average of 30,000 electric shock injuries are reported in the US every year. While most of these injuries occur on the job when working with electricity, there is always a risk when electricity is involved.

Electric shock injuries do occur on the farm, especially around electric fencing equipment. These accidental injuries are also preventable. Let’s take a look at what to watch for and how to stay safe with electric fences.

November 7, 2022

Fence Planning Tips & Tricks

How High Should Your Garden Fence Be?

by Judy Knowler October 24, 2022

As sustainable living grows in popularity, the agriculture landscape welcomes many new faces. Whether you’re a livestock farmer looking to add a garden, a new hobby farmer, or an experienced horticulture professional looking for a better way to protect your produce–quality garden fencing is worth the investment.

Most garden fences are about three feet in height. These barriers are designed to deter entry by common produce-stealing animals like dogs, rabbits, and raccoons. In some areas, larger animals like deer or kept livestock like goats are the culprit. If necessary, a garden fence can extend up to six or eight feet. The right choice depends on who or what you’re keeping out.

October 24, 2022

Tips & Tricks

Tips for Building a Cattle Fence

by Judy Knowler October 10, 2022

There are 98.4 million head of cattle on more than 700,000 farms, ranches, and feedlots across the US. That’s a lot of beef (and some dairy) that need appropriate safety and shelter. The bovine species (cattle) are grazers. They spend a fair amount of time and get plenty of nutrients on pasture. And that leaves a lot of ground to cover when building fence lines.

Red Brand has been providing the livestock industry with quality fencing products since 1889. With over 130 years of experience under our belt, we know a thing or two about how to build a good cattle fence. There are plenty of options out there, including barbed wire, electric wire, and woven wire fencing. Each material has its merit. Let’s take a look at what you need to build a strong, durable cattle fence.

October 10, 2022

Tips & Tricks

How Long Does Wire Fence Installation Take?

by Judy Knowler September 7, 2022

Wire fence is a common staple across the agricultural landscape. Wire provides a durable, cost-effective fencing option to keep farm animals in or out, depending on the application. Wire fencing can be found along pasture perimeters to keep livestock safe. It can be placed around the garden to keep free-range animals out of the food. Wire fences come in many different sizes, making them a great choice for yards, kennels, livestock, and more.

Installing a woven wire fence requires some hands-on manual labor. With the right help, most fences can be erected in a couple of days. Of course, when budgeting time, there are many factors to consider. For starters, the size and type of the enclosure will give you a good idea of how much time you’ll need to commit to the project. Other factors like terrain, weather, complexity, location, and available tools will also play a role in the time commitment required to get the job done.

Let’s take a look at what you should consider before jumping into a fencing project.

September 7, 2022

Tips & Tricks

How to Remove Fence Knots

by Judy Knowler August 25, 2022

A woven wire fence is a favorite around many farms for its strength and durability. You’ll find it around gardens, pools, and pastures of all sizes. Woven wire is typically sold in mesh rolls, giving farmers some flexibility in how far apart to space fence posts as well as how large (or small) to make an enclosure. In order to work with woven wire fencing, you’ll need to know how to remove fence knots. These are the intersections of vertical and horizontal wires that are affixed using a monarch knot or square deal knot. Here, we’ll briefly explain both methods so that you can get the flexibility that you need to work with this fencing.

August 25, 2022

Tips & Tricks

How to Set Fence Posts

by Judy Knowler May 13, 2022

A fence is only as strong as its posts. When building a fence, the posts are the foundation, so it’s essential to think about each fence post’s size, spacing, and depth as you plan your space. As a general rule, fence posts should be 8 to 12 feet apart and placed at least two feet deep or one-third of the total post height, with a base of soil, gravel, or concrete. Let’s take a closer look at how to set fence posts for a strong, sturdy fence.

May 13, 2022

Tips & Tricks

Electric Fence Repair Tips

by Judy Knowler April 21, 2022

An electric fence is a very valuable tool on the farm. It keeps your animals safely contained in their enclosure, while also keeping wild animals far away from your property. It’s durable, reliable, and surprisingly easy to maintain, which makes electric fencing very popular with busy farmers and homesteaders.

However, even the best electric fence will need repairs once in a while — and when that day comes, you need to know what to do. Here are a few tips you can use to safely, quickly, and effectively repair your electric fence.

April 21, 2022

Tips & Tricks

How to Ensure Your Goat Doesn’t Get Stuck in the Fence

by Judy Knowler June 23, 2021

Ah, goats. Who doesn’t love them? They’re cute, they’re funny, and they help maintain your lawn. But sometimes having a goat on your property can be a real hassle — and there is no greater hassle than a goat stuck in your fence.

June 23, 2021