Fencing a cow track

The final aspect of your cow track to consider is what fencing to use and how to ensure it doesn’t slow down cow flow. Here we look at what to bear in mind when fencing your cow track.

The final consideration when planning a new cow track is what fencing you’ll build alongside it. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Make sure you have plenty of entry and exit points to all your paddocks so that cows can use different openings on their way in and out
• Use temporary fencing, such as coil springs with insulated handles, to allow for more entrances and exits than you’d have if you used gates
• Keep water troughs away from the track to avoid track surface damage and stop cows from slowing down

Electric fencing

• Single strand, high-tensile electrified wire fencing should be sufficient to keep stock secure, provided the electric current running through it is maintained
• While building the track, lay plastic pipe to act as ducting under gateways so that your fences can be electrified from a single point
• If you’re grazing young livestock, add a second electrified wire lower on the posts