Field fencing or barbed wire- help me choose

[jneail]

I'm needing to expand my little pasture space.
I really don't want to use electric unless one of my critters makes it absolutely clear that I need to.
I priced out some options today and have it narrowed down to two options- field fencing (6" squares, 47" tall) or plain ole barbed wire- at least 2 strands, possibly more.
I'm drawn to the field fence in the hopes that it will keep them from reaching through/over to the other side and stretching the fence. I suppose it's possible, but a cow 36-40 inches tall I don't expect to reach over a 47" high fence. Does anyone have cows that reach through 6" squares to get the grass on the other side?
The field fencing would be cheaper per foot IF I plan to run 4 strands of barbed, but not if I only run 2-3. Of course, if I only run 2, then decide to add more wires later, I increase my cost and time investment... but who knows what I'll need down the road
My current fence is 2 strands of barbed wire, the top strand at I think 32 inches, maybe it was 34? Some of it has 3 strands, but that only minimally deterred them from reaching through/under the fence for hay bales or grass. I don't recall them reaching over, but it's possible. With all that reaching, they really have stretched out my (poorly stretched to begin with) fencing pretty badly. I started tightening this morning and now own a fence stretcher
I have 3 dexter cows and am hoping to get a bull about a year old to breed my girls this spring, possibly again next spring and then move along to freezer camp. (And I have a Lowline cross calf due within 2 weeks! Hoping for a BULL calf to steer, as it will be beef and I don't want a young girl in the pasture to possibly be bred next spring).
So- which fencing type would you suggest?

[farmeratheart]

Not sure about your reason for not wanting electric. Have you checked out the Gallagher "Smart Fence". It is portable and very adaptable to rotational grazing, and relatively inexpensive. I have field fence with one strand of barb wire at the top for a perimeter fence and use the "smart fence" inside.

[janine/Ga]

I had 3 strands of barbed wire. cow in heat went right through it many times. Had to put field fence and eventually electric on top of that because the lean over it or jump over it. Depends on your cow. My new cow does not do the fence jumping so do not have the electric up or on anymore. New cow leans over to get bushes ect and has crumpled it in 2 places. back to electric top band for us. Good luck, Id say field fence with one strand of electric should do the trick.

[suzorse]

I have 4' field fence ,2 and some places 3 stands of barbless wire bottom,center and top + a hot wire on the inside center, I usally have goats and sheep in my field also, the one side that got streached tight and has 2 strands of barbless top and bottom, and a hot wire in the center looks as good as new 3 years later, no cows or bulls have messed with it , where I did it by my self it has 3 strands of barbless
Suzanne

[DanMa]

A couple of people on here have recently written about their experience of a cow jumping/going through a barbed wire fence and cutting her udder quite severely.

[LibertyFarms]

After spending my afternoon helping my friend/neighbor search for her newborn dexter bull calf...I vote for field fence!! Baby bull managed to get out of her 4 strand barbed wire fence, crossed the road, then went through the 5 strand barb wire fence on the other side!!

I have my Jersey and 3 Dexters behind field fence and the Dexters have NEVER touched the fence...my Jersey has started to put her neck on the fence so we will be running a strand of hot wire this weekend

Happy fence building,
Rya

[dexterfarm]

I run 5 strand barb. I have both but the feild fence is a lot harder to stretch. It also tends to need restreching.

[Pinevalleydexter]

I have 4 strands of hot wire and 1 strand barb on the bottom. Where I live I have to keep out animals (bears, wolves, etc.) as much as I want to keep cows in. I had a neighbors Angus bull crash through to be with my girls last summer. They were already bred. I was surprised that he did that.