13.2 Paddock design and fencing

Landholders have a wide array of options for fences to confine and protect livestock on their property. Whether used as permanent, periphery boundaries, temporary pasture dividers or to encircle a house, fences need careful planning and construction for efficient usefulness, long life and low maintenance.
Several decisions must be made when installing fencing. First, what is the fence to be used for?
For example, is it going to be a boundary fence or a temporary pasture divider? Is the fence for sheep, cattle, horses or something else? Is the fence required to protect remnant vegetation or keep pests out of an area? What type of fence is best suited and where should the fence be constructed for maximum effectiveness?
Other considerations include the type, spacing and setting of posts, gate location and construction, and the overall paddock design.