B.C. Agricultural Fencing Handbook

Fencing designs are provided for crop protection, livestock control and special fence designs.

The B.C. Agricultural Fencing Handbook is a collection of factsheets that discusses the fence planning process, fence materials, fence construction and bracing. Electric fencing and gate construction is also described.

• B.C. Agricultural Fencing Handbook - complete guide (PDF, 35.0 MB)

Fence planning

Fences should be planned as part of an overall system for a farm or ranch.  A fence is a management tool which will be most successful when properly planned.

• New Fence Construction - Types of Fences, Planning and Legislation (PDF)
• Fence Construction Safety (PDF)

Fence materials

Fences installed on agricultural land in B.C. are either non-electric or electric and are mostly constructed of wood and steel strand wire or steel woven wire.

• Commonly Used Wire for Agricultural Fences (PDF)
• Fence Wire - Dispensing, Stapling, Joining, Tying, Tensioning and Grounding (PDF, 3.4MB)
• Droppers for Wire Fences (PDF)
• Fence Posts - Materials, Installation and Removal (PDF)
• Splices For High Tensile Smooth Fencing Wire (PDF)

Fence construction

• Wire Fence Construction (PDF, 3.71MB)
• Wood Fence Construction (PDF, 1.75MB)

Brace assemblies for wire fences

When constructing fences of tensioned wire, braces are required to provide support for the wire. They are the anchor for the fence.

• Brace Assemblies for Wire Fences - What They Are, How They Work, How to Construct (PDF)
• Brace Assemblies for Wire Fences - End, Inline and Change of Direction Braces
  (PDF, 2.0MB)

Crop protection and special fence designs

Wildlife fencing is installed to protect crops and livestock from damage. An easy exit is required in the form of a one-way gate to release the animals from the farm, ranch or orchard, but do not allow entry.

• Crop Protection and Wildlife Control: Non-Electric and Electric Fence Designs (PDF)
• Wind and Snow Fences (PDF)
• Deer Exclusion Fencing for Orchards and Vineyards Using Woven Wire (PDF)
• Elk Exclusion Using Woven Wire Fencing (PDF)
• Elk Exclusion Using Electric Fencing (PDF, 2.0MB)

Livestock control fence designs

The majority of non-electric agricultural fences constructed in B.C. are cattle fences either around hay fields, pastures or rangeland. These fences control a variety of cattle including range bulls, pasture cows, cows with small calves and large breeds under conditions from native range to irrigated pasture.

• Livestock Control - Non-Electric Fence Designs (PDF, 5.76MB)
• Livestock Control - Electric Fence Designs (PDF)
• Pasture Fencing for Horses (PDF)
• Deer Farm Perimeter Fence (PDF)

Electric fencing

Electric fences are commonly used in agriculture. Whereas standard fences are constructed to form a physical barrier, electric fences are constructed to form a psychological or mental barrier. The mental barrier is accomplished by introducing an electric shock through the fence wire which repels the animal from the fence.

• Introduction to Electric Fencing (PDF, 3.61MB)
• Electric Fence Controllers (PDF)
• Grounding Systems for Electric Fences (PDF)
• Training, Testing and Trouble Shooting - Living with an Electric Fence (PDF)

Gates

A gate may regulate movement of people, wildlife, machinery and livestock. Gates may be constructed of metal, wire, wood or a combination of these materials.

• Gates, Cattleguards and Passageways (PDF, 9.0MB)
• Hinged Wire Gate (PDF)