Technical comment on fencing and costs

Press, 1 June 1984, Page 20

Technical comment on fencing and costs

Wire or mesh, electric or non-electric? When it comes to fencing, farmers have the choice of a wide range of fence types and costs. The Economics Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has prepared a technical paper which comments on fencing materials and their costs. The paper presents models for both electric and non-electric farm fences and illustrates the large cost differentials between fences which serve the same purpose. “Any savings in resources used in fencing would be profitable from the national and the farmer’s point of view,” says the paper. Fencing costs quoted in the paper are those ruling at January 1, 1984. The paper states that 4mm wire is long lasting, but it requires careful straining. Its main faults are loss of tension and its cost. “Some 98.81 kg is required per kilometre at a cost of $145.25, while 2.55 mm hightensile wire is longer lasting than 4mm as it retains its tension longer,” the paper says. “It has the same breaking strain as 4mm and is less than half the cost. Some 38.58 kg is required per kilometre at a cost of $55.02.” The paper says barbed wire is hard to handle, damages stock, loses tension and tends to rust quicker than 4mm or 2.5 mm hightensile wire. The price of barbed wire is more than three times that of 2.5 mm high-tensile wire. Some 105 kg is required per kilometre at a cost of $198.24. Mesh-type fencing is available in 2.5 mm hightensile or heavy-duty wire. The paper says the main advantages are labour saving and the ease of hand-

ling, but the cost is a disadvantage. “Quality and thickness of galvanising is an important aspect of fence life, particularly with the use of thinner wires. “Once rusting commences, 2.55 mm wire deteriorates 20 per cent faster than 4mm wire. Care must be taken to minimise damage when straining, stapling and joining. Chemical salts present in freshly treated softwood posts can damage wire.” The paper says that 65mm pine posts are stronger than concrete posts, but an important factor to consider is the cost. Concrete posts cost $8 and 65mm pine from $3.15 to $3.50. The 115 mm pine posts, which are four times as strong as concrete, are still cheaper than concrete. Battens are a very expensive part of fencing when used at the rate of 25 per 20m, the report says. “With the use of 10 wire, 2.5 mm fencing, battens can be reduced in number or replaced with 2mm wire

separators at a cost of approximately 22c each,” the paper says. “Farmers still prefer the traditional type of strainer rather than the horizontal stay with single or double span units. There appears to be little difference in material costs, although reduced labour costs are claimed for the latter.” The paper notes that labour costs will depend on the type of fence and the type of country.