Cost to fence in 5 acres?

[AGRIMAN]

As a comparison, we are installing 49" high tensile woven wire using 5" wooden line post on 20' spacing with one stand of barbed wire across the top. We have our cost figured to be around $1.20 per foot, less labor and clearing.

We do buy or post by the bundle and wire by the pallet, so we are getting good prices on them.

 

[EddieWalker]

What are you fencing in? I fenced in about that much land for my horses and went with Poly Tape instead of the rope because of how visible it is. I did two rows of the tape and one at the bottom of wire. Even more important then what you use, is how much power your charger will have. Mine was about $200 and rated for something like ten miles. I forget, but it was one of the stronger ones out there. I want to keep my horses afraid of the fence, so the bigger the zap, the better. Also making it as visible as possible makes sure they never forget where it's at.

I used wood posts for the corners and t posts every 25 feet.

On the charger, make sure to use three ground rods and space them at least ten feet apart. If you have really dry soil, or real sandy soil, you will need more ground rods at the half way point in your fence. The ground rods are critical in the success of a good charge!!!

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Go onto google earth and draw the fenceline, it will tell you how long it is. Decide how many gates you want. Then figure out how many corners you need, or endpoints for gates. Figure out the cost per foot and cost per corner for different construction methods. Multiply that by the length in feet and number of corners, add in the cost of gates and the charger and you have your cost. Plus all the things you forgot to think about...

 

[JRobyn]

And remember, that whatever it costs, it is tax deductible just like any other farm equipment!

 

[ShowroomShine]

Out of curiosity, why the rope and not regular wire?

We've had a horse get tangled up in the wire after being chased by yotes, it died. The horses seem to be able to see the rope better, plus its easier to work with.

 

[MMagis]

And remember, that whatever it costs, it is tax deductible just like any other farm equipment!

Not necessarily. It varies by state, but in Ohio money spent on pleasure horses is not tax deductible. You have to show an income, and the animals must be for production. For example, when I buy a steer to butcher it’s not a deduction.
Polywire is pretty visible (white, not the yellow), and MUCH cheaper than the rope.