Replace or Repair? Making the Right Fencing Decision

A functional, sturdy fence is arguably one of the most necessary components of farming. After all, they are duty-bound to keep livestock in, create boundaries between animals and crops, and ultimately keep trespassers (both two- and four-legged) out.

With such a hefty burden to bear, fencing should be one of farmers’ top priorities and investments, albeit the costliest. Nothing lasts forever, though—fencing will see wear and tear, and there will be damage due to the elements, depending on geography. The decision to repair or replace hinges (pun intended) on some of the following questions.

What age is your fence?

A fence older than 10 years should be assessed for structural damage, depending on the type of material used. If it’s wood, and the posts are leaning and drooping, it could mean the wood is rotting, that it’s sitting on an uneven foundation  or doesn’t have enough support. If it’s barbed wire, and the wire is rusty or there are obvious gaps where the wire has come loose (or been cut), this could not only hurt your livestock, but is also a potential hazard and liability. 

While rules regarding fencing and owner liability vary from state to state and county to county, generally speaking, farm and ranch owners are responsible for any damage that may be incurred should their livestock wander off the property and cause an accident due to faulty fencing. 

The rule of thumb is that, if 50% of your posts are off and your wire is beginning to rust, it’s most likely time to consider replacement.

The weather or environment can also decrease the life of a fence. A fence in South Dakota is going to bear the brunt of cruel winter storms (and test it) far more than a farm in Arizona. Extreme weather conditions will likely mean replacing the fence more often, depending on the type of materials used. So, if you do replace an older fence, using high quality materials that will stand up to the elements will save you money on the back end.

How much is your time worth?

Farmers and ranchers tend to belittle the value of their time in repairing fences. Putting a dollar value on your time and considering how many hours are spent fixing the fence may help decide between (another) repair job or replacing it altogether. If time is money and you decide to repair, investing in the proper tools that will simplify the job is paramount.

“[However] if you’re spending more time and labor on repairing fence versus doing other things around the farm or ranch, it may be time to replace,” says Payne Hall, business development manager for fencing at Gripple, Inc.

What’s its purpose? 

Fences are typically used to protect or divide property, to improve its aesthetic, to confine animals or to exclude animals. Whatever its purpose, before you replace or repair a fence, survey your land and make a plan. Do you want to divide the land in the future or parse it into smaller fields so that you can rotate your animals to graze? 

“Some animals require stronger fences than others. Horses and brood cows are easier to contain than goats, sheep, recently weaned calves and bulls,” says Hall. “You might get away with repairing an older fence for horses and cows, but replacement may be more urgent to keep bulls in their pasture.”

Whatever the answer, planning before repairing can save you time (and money) down the road.

How much does it cost?

The steel market, much like the cattle market, can vary due to supply and demand. Morgan Stanley forecasts a modest 2.1% growth in steel demand for 2024. However, the analysis suggests that this growth, when coupled with increasing capacity, is expected to result in falling steel prices, which could bode well for farmers who need to replace wire fencing. That said, materials are only a portion of the cost of replacement.

“You have to use a sharp pencil to decide whether the fence needs to be replaced or repaired because everything is more expensive,” says Hall. “The posts, the wire, the prep work, taking down the old fence, the labor and equipment required to do that, and the fuel, is very expensive.”

Hall adds that farmers need to give a lot of thought to the question of whether to repair or replace the fence due to cost.

“You have to watch how and what you’re spending your money on because, if it’s an infrastructure investment, you want a return on that investment,” says Hall. “And for the money you’ll have to spend, you may not get that return.”

Examining recent repair expenses over the course of the last year may help with the decision-making process. If the sum is approaching (or has already approached) four figures, a new fence may be in order.

Economics is more than just about money, however. It’s about comparing alternatives and making the overall best choice while asking the hard questions: Can you afford not to replace the fence? If animals are constantly wandering off the property because the fence has outlived its longevity (even after repairs), it’s most likely time to consider replacing it.

“Farming is tough,” says Ron Chouinard, owner of Delta Fence & Construction and L&C Enterprises-USA. “There are always issues for a farmer to deal with...[but] the issue comes down to money. In that way, farmers take care of their own problems. They just deal with it.”

At the end of the day, fences exist to keep things in or keep things out, as well as protect your family and property. After considering the alternatives, as well as your budget and individual fencing needs, you can decide if it’s worth the cost of replacing it or if a repair will do.

By: Cindy O’Hara