Fences are an important protective element of any farm or agricultural operation with livestock. To ensure optimal livestock safety and a long-lasting fence, it is important to know how far apart farm fence posts need to be. Fence posts are the support structure of a fence that barbed wire or electric wire attaches to. If the space between posts is too long, the fence may become flexible or weak. Alternatively, if the space between posts is too short, the fence will take more time to build and can become more difficult to maintain. As experts in farm fencing, the team at Edge Wholesale Direct has provided some information on proper fence post spacing and some factors that affect it.

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Factors that Affect Farm Fence Post Spacing

As a general rule of thumb, most fence posts should be spaced about 8-12ft apart. Bear in mind that this distance refers strictly to the fence posts, not pickets. Pickets are often placed between posts at regular intervals to keep wire upright and increase stability, but they are not required for every type of fence. Many factors affect the ideal distance between posts including:

The Type of Fence

The type of wire used for the fence greatly affects the recommended distance between posts. For example, standard barbed wire should have posts spaced 8-12ft apart, but high tensile barbed wire fences can have posts up to 20-30ft apart. Electric fences also tend to allow for longer distances between posts compared to barbed or smooth wire. Another general rule is that fences with more wires will require shorter spacing between posts than fences with fewer wires.

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Your Livestock and Potential Predators

Large livestock such as cows will require a shorter distance of no more than 8ft between posts to withstand the pressure of them pushing against the fence. If your farm contains smaller animals such as sheep or goats, you will be able to space your posts a bit further apart (10-12ft). In addition to the animals inside your farm, fences should be built with animals outside your farm in mind as well. If you are constantly dealing with predators that are trying to attack your livestock, a shorter distance between posts is recommended.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Cattle Fence Panel.

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The Land and the Shape of the Fence

If you are building a fence on flat land, you can likely have more space between posts. Alternatively, if the land is uneven or undulating, the space between posts may need to be reduced. The shape of your fence will also impact pole spacing and the number of pickets used. For example, rounded or circular fences will require more pickets than straight fences to keep them in the correct shape.

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To learn more about post spacing and other farm fencing considerations, reach out to the team at Edge Wholesale Direct. We will work with you to provide the perfect solution for your farm or other agricultural needs.