Plan the fence, then count it.

A 10-head herd and a 100-head herd do not automatically require fixed lengths of wire. Measure the site, assign each fence a job and calculate from the layout.

This tool estimates fence line and whole rolls. It does not set stocking rate, structural spacing, legal requirements or site-specific safety specifications.

Choose the fence role

Separate secure perimeter fencing from permanent paddock divisions, temporary rotational divisions and cattle-handling facilities. Each role can use different materials and maintenance assumptions.

PerimeterPermanent divisionTemporary divisionHandling area

Measure the layout

Record actual perimeter and divider line lengths. Subtract gate openings only when the gate replaces the same fence line. Keep lanes, water access, equipment movement, corners and changes in direction visible on the plan.

Walk the site survey Record each segment Build the gate schedule

Calculate a starting quantity

Enter measured line lengths below. The result is a transparent purchase-length starting point; posts, braces, tension hardware and electrical components require a separate layout review.

Cattle head countUsed for the project brief, not to infer fence length.

Measured perimeter lengthRequired. Use the same unit throughout.

Permanent divider lengthEnter 0 if no permanent divider is planned.

Total gate-opening widthOnly openings that replace fence line.

Available roll lengthConfirm the actual product roll length before ordering.

Planning allowanceAn allowance is not a substitute for accurate field measurement.

Starting quantity

—Net measured fence line

—Length after allowance

—Whole rolls

—Head count in project brief

Enter the measured perimeter to begin. Results use the unit you enter.

Complete the bill of materials

Add corners, end assemblies, gate posts, line posts, tensioning and attachment hardware, coating requirements and—when electric fencing is involved—energizer, grounding, insulators and warning provisions. Confirm product-specific instructions and local rules before construction. Once a baseline is issued, record later route, gate, quantity or specification changes in the project change log.

Open the materials checklist Compare supplier quotes Choose a fence family

10 head and 100 head are planning scenarios

Use herd size to discuss movement, water, gates, handling and expansion. Use the measured layout—not headcount—to purchase fence.

10-head example

Prioritize a secure perimeter and simple access.
Check whether existing fence can be upgraded.
Use adjustable internal divisions where management may change.
Keep a small-project material list transparent.

Open the 10-cattle example

100-head example

Separate perimeter, permanent divisions and temporary divisions.
Coordinate water, lanes, equipment gates and handling facilities.
Plan maintenance access and phased construction.
Allow future subdivision without rebuilding the perimeter.

Open the 100-cattle example

Planning references

The workflow follows the planning order described by university extension resources: map the site, define gates and lanes, measure the lines, then prepare the material list.

University of Maine Extension External source

Fencing-system planning, mapping, measurement, gates, lanes and material-list preparation.

— https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/pasture-course/lesson-3/appendix-e/Mississippi State Extension External source

Perimeter security, subdivisions, paddock layout, water, shade, gates and pasture-management considerations.

— https://www.extension.msstate.edu/publications/livestock-fencing-systems-for-pasture-management

Plan special operating conditions separately

Use the calving-pasture temporary separation example when group changes, observation and fallback space drive the brief. Use the new-cattle isolation-pen example when arrival, herd separation, independent service and release routes must be controlled. Use the bull-separation example when holding, joining, movement and fallback states need separate review. Use the rented-pasture fence example when ownership and maintenance duties must be separated. Use the watering-point example for normal routes, the winter example for snow and ice, and the muddy-season example for wet-ground access and fallback routing. Use the cattle-and-sheep example to separate containment duties, the remote inspection-route example to plan repeatable sector coverage, and the post-flood inspection example to control event-driven closure, access and re-entry.