“Oh give me land lots of land
Under starry skies above,
Don’t fence me in.
Let me ride through the wide
Open country that I love,
Don’t fence me in”
The old favorite western ballad sung by Gene Autry speaks to the freedom we all love about living on a farm or ranch. What it doesn’t take into account is the need to fence in your livestock and fence out the wild critters that may cause damage to crops. Uvalco can help you enjoy life on the range while securing your stock with our comprehensive line of fencing products, including cattle fence, horse fence, goat fence, sheep fence, hog fence, deer fence, dog fence and more.
Finding the right fence for your application doesn’t require that you become a fencing expert – that’s what we’re here for – but it does help to understand some of the basics:
Cattle Fence — Barbed wire (4 or 5 strand) and net wire are the two types of fence typically used for cattle. The initial cost of material for barbed wire is about 30 percent less than that for net wire, but barbed wire generally requires more maintenance and has a shorter lifespan than net wire. A good choice is a combination of the two: Heavyweight net wire fence with one or more strands of barbed wire on top makes an excellent cattle fence. Fence height should be at least 39”; Uvalco’s premium cattle fence lines range from 42” to 120” tall.

Barbed wire fence in South Texas
Horse Fence – Finding the right fence to protect your equine investment is extremely important since horses, more than any other livestock, tend to “challenge” fencing by trying to climb or step through the barrier, and by leaning and rubbing against the fence. A good choice for horse fence is a closely spaced, galvanized non-climb net wire fence with smooth knots so the animal’s coat is protected against damage. The minimum recommended height for perimeter pasture horse fence is 60”; this height deters most horses from trying to jump. For paddocks, corrals and stallion pens, the top of the fence should be at the horse’s eye level. This height discourages fighting over the fence and helps prevent horses from leaning over the fence.
Goat Fence and Sheep Fence – Net wire fence is the best choice for goats and sheep, primarily for predator control. In addition, net wire fence stands up better to the constant pressure that goats normally exert on fencing and it has no barbs to pull at a sheep’s wool. Goats are notorious fence-jumpers, so be sure your goat fence is at least 42” tall for small goats and 49” for larger goats. Net wire square size should range from 3” to 7” to keep predators out and to prevent goats and sheep from hanging their heads in the wire.
Hog Fence — Barbed wire and cable fences are not effective for confining hogs and pigs. Medium and heavyweight net wire fences with one or more strands of barbed wire provide good hog control. Maximum fence height should be 54”, and the fence should be built close to the ground to prevent hogs from escaping by rooting underneath the fence.

Deer Fence
Deer Fence – Fixed-knot, high-tensile deer fence is required by law in many states for use as an effective and humane deer barrier. Properly installed, this hardy fence can last 25 years or more. Since deer can jump great heights, the fence needs to be eight to 10 feet tall. The fence also needs to be built close to the ground, since deer can also wriggle under fences.
Dog Fence – Fixed-knot fencing is an attractive alternative to chain link fencing for dog kennels and dog runs, and is also more cost effective. It comes in heights of 48” and 61” and should be installed all the way to the ground to prevent escape by wiggling under the fence.
Still confused? Contact the fencing experts at Uvalco for the best in fencing products and expertise for your farm or ranch.