farm fence by Golde

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• Star pickets spaced every 2.5 m (so ~20 spaces over 50 m, ~22 pickets including start/end).
   
• End/strainer posts at each end of run, and at any change of direction, ~every ~100 m for longer runs (not needed for just 50 m aside from ends).
   
• Height of fence: 1.8 m (mesh height).
   
• Top barbed wire (or top plain wire if preferred) above mesh.
   
• Mesh fixed to star pickets, tie-wired every ~300 mm down the picket.
   
• Bottom of mesh ~50–70 mm off the ground (or optionally buried ~100 mm if you want dig-proof).
   
• Gate post and gate excluded in the 50 m run but leave space if required.

1. Materials

Star Pickets

• Size:     1650 mm (for stock fencing), 1800 mm (high livestock pressure), 1350 mm      (light duty).
• Weight      Rating:
  • Light:       1.35 kg/m
  • Medium:       1.58 kg/m
  • Heavy:       1.90 kg/m (recommended for cattle/goats)
• Coating:     Galvanised or black steel with anticorrosion dip.
• Safety:     Plastic star picket caps required in public or high-traffic areas.

Wire Options

Choose based on livestock:

Fence Use

Wire Type

General boundary -  3–5 line wires

Horses - Sighter wire + electric recommended

Cattle - 4–5 plain wires or hinge-joint

Goats/Sheep - Hinge-joint mesh + 1–2 barb wires

Residential - 3 plain wires or mesh

Plain wire: 2.5 mm high-tensile
Barbed wire: 1.57–2.5 mm
Hinge-joint mesh: 8/90/30 or 8/115/15 depending on animal type

2. Post Spacing

Star Pickets

• Typical      spacing: 3 m centres
• Heavy      stock or uneven ground: 2.5 m
• Light      boundary: 3.5 m max

Strainer/End Posts

• Required      at:
  • Ends
  • Corners
  • Direction       changes
  • Every       100–150 m on straight runs
• Size:      150–200 mm diameter treated pine or steel box-section
• Depth:      800–1200 mm buried
• Footing:      rammed earth or concrete

4. Wire Placement & Tensioning

Line Wires (Typical Heights)

For a 1650 mm picket:

• Top      wire: 1100–1200 mm height
• Second      wire: 850–900 mm
• Third      wire: 550–600 mm
• Bottom      wire: 250–300 mm

Fastening Wire to Pickets

• Use tie  wire, Gripple clips, or heavy-duty fencing staples (for steel pickets, tie wire only).
• DO NOT weld wire to pickets.
• Use strainer posts for tensioning, not star pickets.

Tensioning

• Use wire strainers or a chain & dog.
• High-tensile wire: tension until you get a clear “ping” when pushed.

Avoid overtensioning—can collapse pickets. 

5. Mesh Options (If Using)

Hinge Joint Mesh

• Tie  to pickets using fencing clips every:
  • 300mm vertically
  • At every picket horizontally
• Bottom of mesh:
  • Clearance:  50–70 mm off ground
  • Or Bury 100–150 mm to prevent digging (for dogs/goats)

Additional Barbed Wire

• Common heights: 1350 mm & 1500 mm

Used for cattle, security, and bushland boundaries 

6. Gate Installation (Star Picket Line)

• Gate posts must always be treated pine or steel RHS.
• Star pickets cannot carry gate loads.
• Install:
  • 2 × strainer posts each side of gate
  • Hinges: heavy-duty galvanised
  • Bottom gate clearance: 75–100 mm

7. Safety & Compliance

Safety Caps

• Required near:
  • Public roads
  • Residential areas
  • Footpaths
  • Schools
• Install      bright-coloured caps for visibility.

Reflectors

• Recommended every 20–30 m along roadside boundaries.

Local Laws

• Check council if fence is on a boundary with a neighbour (Dividing Fences Act).

8. Recommended Spacing Summary

Star Pickets

• Ideal: 3 m
• Heavy-duty: 2.5 m
• Light-duty: 3.5 m max

Strainer Posts

• Ends and corners
• Every 100–150 m straight run

Wire Heights

• 300, 600, 900, 1200 mm (typical 4-wire line)