Field Fence Construction & Repair
The standard general-purpose fence for livestock and property boundaries.
Field fence — woven or welded wire mesh, usually with wider spacing at the top and progressively tighter spacing near the ground — is the default general-purpose fence for a working property. It's more versatile than barbed wire, since the mesh actually blocks smaller animals rather than just discouraging larger ones with pain, and it's more economical per foot than rigid cattle or hog panels for long runs, since it's supplied ready-made on a roll and stretched into place rather than installed section by section.
How field fence is built
Wood or steel T-posts are set at consistent intervals along the fence line, with corner and end posts braced the same way a barbed wire fence's are, since the wire mesh is also stretched under real tension. The roll of woven or welded wire is then unrolled and stretched between posts — on a larger job, a tractor-mounted unroller attachment does this mechanically rather than by hand, which keeps tension even across long runs and speeds up a job that would otherwise take much longer stretching wire by hand.
Mesh spacing and what it contains
Field fence comes in different mesh patterns, generally tighter near the bottom of the roll and wider toward the top. A tighter, shorter-spaced pattern is suited to sheep, goats, and smaller livestock that could otherwise push through wider gaps; a standard general livestock pattern works for cattle and horses where smaller-animal escape isn't the main concern. Matching the mesh pattern to what's actually being contained matters more than defaulting to whatever's cheapest or most available.
Field fence vs. cattle/hog panels
Field fence is more economical for long runs and adapts to gentle terrain changes better, since it's flexible wire rather than a rigid section. Cattle and hog panels install faster per opening and hold their shape better under concentrated, repeated pressure — which is why panels are more common in corrals, pens, and loading areas where animals push against the fence directly and often, while field fence covers the bulk of a larger, lower-pressure perimeter. See our cattle panel and hog panel pages for that comparison in more detail.
Repair
The most common field fence repairs are a section that's sagged or lost tension over time, wire that's been damaged by a fallen tree limb or direct animal pressure, and a post that's leaning at a corner or gate where tension concentrates. Sagging sections can often be re-tensioned rather than replaced outright if the wire itself is still in good condition.
Height options
Field fence is commonly available in heights ranging from about 32 inches up to 48 inches or more, with the right choice depending on what's being contained — a shorter height is usually adequate for cattle, while goats and sheep (both notorious for testing and climbing a fence) often call for a taller roll, sometimes with an additional strand of barbed or electric wire along the top as extra insurance.
Terrain and post spacing
On rolling or uneven ground, post spacing may need to tighten up in spots to keep the wire properly tensioned against the contour of the land, rather than running posts at a uniform interval regardless of terrain. This is one of the reasons a real site walk during a free estimate matters more for field fence than a simple footage-based quote would suggest — the terrain genuinely affects both material needs and installation time.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between field fence and cattle panels?
Field fence is flexible wire on a roll, stretched between posts on-site; cattle panels are rigid, prefabricated sections. Field fence is more economical for long runs; panels hold up better under concentrated, repeated pressure.
How is field fence installed on a large property?
Posts are set and braced first, then the wire is unrolled and stretched between them — on larger jobs, a tractor-mounted unroller attachment keeps tension even and speeds up the process significantly over stretching by hand.
Can a sagging section of field fence be fixed without replacing the whole fence?
Yes, in most cases — if the wire itself is still sound, a sagging section can often be re-tensioned rather than torn out and replaced.
What height of field fence do I need?
It depends on what's being contained — a shorter roll is usually fine for cattle, while goats and sheep often need a taller roll given how persistently they test and climb a fence line.
How long does field fence typically last?
A galvanized field fence properly installed on braced posts commonly lasts several decades, with periodic re-tensioning being the main upkeep item rather than any need for wholesale replacement.