Cross fencing is an agricultural management technique that involves strategically dividing a large pasture area into smaller, more manageable sections, known as paddocks. This system moves beyond simply containing livestock within a single perimeter fence, introducing internal barriers that create distinct zones for grazing. The practice is foundational to modern livestock and land management, allowing producers to exert far greater influence over how animals interact with the landscape. The primary goal of this internal subdivision is to optimize land use, improve grazing patterns, and enhance the overall health of the pasture ecosystem.
Defining the Structure of Cross Fencing
The physical structure of a cross-fenced area begins with an existing perimeter fence that establishes the outer boundary of the grazing land. Within this secure border, cross fences segment the pasture into multiple, smaller paddocks. This subdivision uses either permanent materials, such as high-tensile wire, or temporary fencing, often blending both based on management goals. Temporary fencing provides flexibility, allowing paddock size and shape to change based on forage growth or herd size. The layout must ensure livestock in every paddock has access to necessary resources, such as shade and a reliable water source, and many systems incorporate a central alleyway to facilitate movement between paddocks.
Core Application: Enabling Rotational Grazing
The primary purpose of installing cross fences is to enable rotational grazing, which fundamentally shifts how livestock interact with the forage. Cross fencing restricts animals to a single, designated paddock for a short period, rather than allowing them to roam and graze selectively across the entire pasture. Once the forage is grazed to a specific level, the livestock are moved to the next resting paddock in the sequence. This systematic movement ensures that previously grazed areas receive a sufficient rest period, which drives pasture improvement.
During the rest period, plants recover fully without the stress of immediate re-grazing, strengthening root systems and promoting vigorous regrowth. Preventing repeated grazing of young shoots helps the forage plants develop deeper roots, improving their resilience against drought. This controlled approach prevents overgrazing, a common issue where animals repeatedly consume their preferred plants. Concentrating the herd in a smaller area applies grazing pressure more uniformly, encouraging animals to consume less palatable plants, while also resulting in a more even distribution of manure and urine. This natural fertilization improves nutrient cycling and soil health, allowing cross-fencing systems to increase the pasture’s carrying capacity by 30 to 50 percent.
Choosing Materials and Setup for Cross Fencing
Selecting the appropriate material for cross fencing is influenced by the type of livestock, budget, and desired flexibility. High-tensile electric wire is a popular choice for permanent cross fences due to its durability and cost-effectiveness, often costing less than half of traditional non-electric fences. This material relies on a psychological barrier; the animal receives a short shock, encouraging avoidance rather than physical resistance. For temporary subdivisions, lightweight materials like polywire, polytape, or electric netting are used because they are easy to install and move. All electric systems require an energizer, which must be properly grounded and powerful enough to maintain sufficient voltage across the entire fence line, and effective setup requires careful consideration of water access, often necessitating portable troughs or new water points to serve each paddock.