Author

Judy Knowler

Horse Fencing Ideas and Considerations

by Judy Knowler December 21, 2022

Horses are a ranching staple, world-recognized athletes, and a favorite pastime for more than 1.6 million people in the US alone (and possibly as many as 30 million people globally). That means you’ll find rural landscapes dotted with horse farms both big and small, far beyond the bluegrass hills of Kentucky.

Horses are also a big investment of time, money, and emotions. Compared to other types of livestock, horse owners tend to spend more time debating products, practices, and opinions. And that leads to a lot of questions when it comes to horse fencing.

If you’re new to the horse hobby, or at least taking a fresh look at new trends or products to update your fencing, here’s what you really need to know:

Horses are large animals and require tall, strong fences.
They’re prey animals and have a tendency to run, so safety is key.
Different breeds and different herds may have different needs.
Horses jump, and some might try to paw, climb, or chew so durability is also important.

December 21, 2022

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

Fence Products

Best Fencing to Protect Sheep from Predators

by Judy Knowler September 21, 2022

When it comes to smaller livestock, a flock of sheep is a great choice for beginners, hobby farmers, and additional income streams for existing farms. Sheep are raised for meat, milk, and wool. And, as an added bonus, do a great job with vegetation control. Many farmers with acreage to manage choose sheep over the similarly sized but often more difficult to manage goats.

While a flock of sheep might do a great job of grazing acreage, they’re not aggressive or predatory. In fact, they’re unlikely to defend themselves at all. This leaves farmers with the task of ensuring their flocks’ protection against natural predators like coyotes, wolves, and bears. Given the number and variety of natural predators, you’ll need a durable fencing material like woven wire field fence to protect your sheep. Here, we’ll discuss the best options for fencing to protect sheep from predators.

September 21, 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

Fence Products

Types of Wire Fencing & Their Uses

by Judy Knowler August 16, 2022

Around the farm, wire fencing comes in many different forms. Welded wire, woven wire, barbed wire, and electric wire each have their uses. Choosing the right fencing material depends on a variety of factors, like the purpose of the fence or the type of animal it contains. If you’re planning to put up a new fence, all the options can be overwhelming. Here’s a quick guide that will help you compare the options and make an informed decision.

August 16, 2022

Fence Products

Why Supplement Your Woven Wire Goat Fence with Electric Wire?

by Judy Knowler July 25, 2022

Goats are often full of fun and personality. They’re one kind of livestock that tends to blur the lines between friendly pets and farm animals. It’s their playful personality that often makes containing these animals a little more challenging. While many farmers prefer field fencing, adding electric wire can provide a cost-effective, flexible fencing option that keeps predators out and goats in.

Woven wire field fences are generally the most durable option for most uses on the farm, including goats. The only problem is that goats can really put them to the test with climbing, pushing, and jumping. Adding an electric fence to the mix helps enforce respect for your fence boundaries, among many other benefits. Let’s take a closer look at why you should consider adding electric wire to your goat fence.

July 25, 2022

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