Fence posts

• Fence posts: Steel Y posts or Timber posts? Timber posts predominantly used where the risk of termites or fire are low, South Eastern South Australia, South Western and Western Victoria. Large numbers of timber posts are also used for trellising in vineyards and other fruit crops. Steel posts are predominately used throughout Australia for superior termite and fire protection, ease of installation, accessibility of supply, longevity and sheer rugged construction.
• Strainer posts: Steel or Timber? Either can be used but steel offers termite and fire protection with exceptional longevity. Galvanised right angle steel strainers are offered from many suppliers, as are 90–110mm galvanised round pipe. Consider the span length between strainers and the tension the strainer will need to endure, also if a gate is to be swung. Consider the gate size relative to the strainer size and depth it will need to go into the ground.
• Stays: Predominantly steel, around 50mm in diameter if using tube, up to 3.5m in length. Timber can also be used for this function. Stay type and construction vary hugely.
• Droppers: Used in between posts to ensure line wire spacing remains consistent and providing the fence with rigidity. Steel and timber variations available.
• Plain wire: Single strand of wire generally available in sizes ranging from 1.6mm to 4.0mm. Tensile ratings range from low tensile (LT) (or soft) through to medium tensile (MT) (or flexi) to high tensile (HT). Fencing with plain wire usually incorporates a 2.5mm HT or 2.5mm MT. Smaller diameter wires are generally used as tie wire. Larger diameter wires such as 4.0mm are generally used for anchoring a fence to a tie point, for high load bearings, in stay construction or for a more visible appearance.
• Barbed wire: Available in HT smaller diameter wires ranging from 1.57-1.8mm or in LT with a larger 2.5mm diameter wire ( commonly referred to as Iowa). Both variations are commonly used in rural fencing, HT barbed wire is also regularly used for security fencing.

Fabricated wire

•  Ringlock: Made from 2.5mm line and picket wires, some manufacturers include a larger 2.8mm top and bottom wire. The vertical pickets within a ringlock product provide rigidity throughout the product, eliminating the need for droppers and allowing for the distance between posts to be increased. Ringlock is also suitable for uneven ground due to it's ring construction. A fabricated ringlock fence is fast and cost effective to erect.
• Hinge joint: Generally constructed from 2.5mm line and picket wires, some manufactures provide a more cost effective solution with a 2.0mm product. Due to it's “hinge” construction the product lacks the rigidity of ringlock and is generally installed with a 2.5mm plain, top, bottom wire and occasionally a central belly wire. It’s construction allows hinge joint to collapse. This is a valuable feature for installation under trees where branches can fall on the fence. In this case the product easily pulls back up into it’s original shape. Hinge joint is a more cost effective solution than ringlock when used for sheep fencing.
• Titegrip: Constructed predominantly for deer fencing although a multitude of sizes are available that suit other livestock. Most commonly 2.5mm line and picket wires. This products knot construction provides an extremely rigid fence capable of withstanding high stock pressure.
• Hexagonal wire netting: Constructed from fine gauge wire, normally around 1.4mm with hexagons ranging in size from 13-41mm. Hexagonal wire netting requires wires through the top, bottom and belly to provide rigidity. Regularly used for feral animal control, excellent for rabbits. Hexagonal wire netting is also used to protect birds and chickens from predators.

Gates

• Gates: Are available in a wide range from light construction through to heavy all steel tube construction. Commonly the lighter models are made from 25mm tube and a steel mesh fill, these are suitable for most sheep, alpaca and goat farms. The heavier 32mm frame with 25mm or 32mm tube bar is designed for cattle farms where larger livestock need to be contained.

Want to learn more about fencing on small farms?

For further information on important aspects of fence building including: why build a fence, step-by-step instructions on ends, corners, wire, posts and safety. Purchase a copy of Fencing ag-guide: A practical guide.