Poor Fences

Most ranchers use barbwire to fence cattle “in” in Texas. But Texas is a fence “out” state. That is if you want to keep someone’s cattle off your property, you need to put up a fence. Otherwise, it is considered open range. Cattle on the road is a big problem in Texas.

Some of my neighbor’s cattle have found their way to my property. Why not, it has the best grass along the road. I don’t have a problem with that, as long as they come and get them that day. I usually call the neighbor and let him know his cattle are out. I only called the sheriff once when I couldn’t find the owner and no one else claimed the animal was theirs. The owner came and got the bull later that day. The animal, I am told, was sold at auction.

One neighbor has cows that goes through the fence at least once a month. There is very little grass on the ranch side of the fence. The term fence in this case can be loosely applied as most of it has poor post, rusty wire and frequently has gaps large enough for any cow to walk through. Only a few fence staples fasten wire to the post, so some of the wire is attached to the post with more rusty wire.

Often, Texas law protects ranchers, but not always. I am no lawyer, but I read that if a cow gets out and someone hits the cow, the rancher is not responsible for damage to the vehicle unless several things are not right. One of those “not right” things is the rancher having a poor fence. Once upon a time, three wires was considered a good fence. Later it was four and now most fences I see are five wire. I guess if three wires can keep cattle in, then it’s a good fence.

Ranchers that live along major highways frequently have woven wire fences. This keeps cattle from sticking their heads through the fence to eat on the other side. Once a head goes through, the cow pushes hard to get another bite just out of reach. Over time, a poor fence will give way to allow the animal to walk through. Barbs on a good tight fence will force the animal back.

Even though a rancher will spray the fenceline with herbicides to keep the cattle from eating on the other side, the cows can see better grass through the fence. I am convinced that herbicides are also responsible for fences being so rusty. Over a few years, most herbicides will remove galvanize coating; natural aging takes a lot longer.

I spend a few hours once every four months cutting back brush that grows along my fenceline. Most brush is planted by bird droppings. What I don’t use is herbicides. I spend that money on making the grass on my side of the fence healthier.

A number of things grow along the fenceline that I do not cut. Cows love grapevines, so why not leave them? The leaves are highly nutritious and are eaten quickly when the cattle enter the field. I also allow greenbriar to grow. With thorns no animal will ignore, allowing greenbriar to grow is like adding more barbwire to the fence. Cattle eat the fresh leaves but leave old growth alone. Dewberry vines also have thorns and the cattle eat the leaves. But cattle will not stick their head through a fence to eat on the other side with dewberry growing in the way.

The best way to keep cattle “in” is by growing healthy pastures. But animals being animals, some will find their way out-good fence or not. This is why a good rancher maintains a good fence but checks it before the animals enter the pasture.

Recently a friend stopped by and asked if I had any animals out. I said “No.,” and asked him what color the animals were. He said they were all black and there was close to half a dozen or more on the road. I immediately knew whose cattle they were. Like I said, if an animal is struck by an automobile, the rancher may not be liable. But, in this case if someone struck his animals, I understand it would be the rancher’s fault, because his animals are frequently out. Again, I am no lawyer, but for a record of the problem to exist, it takes a call to the sheriff’s department to report the incidents of cattle on the road.

I am reluctant to call the sheriff, but I will let the readers decide. Should it be my responsibility as a citizen to report this problem, or should I continue to be a good neighbor and call the rancher? My problem is that he has been called so many times by me and others, it is no longer easy for me to overlook his lack of responsibility. I would appreciate your feedback. I will report the results.

David E. Will is a local rancher and consultant. He can be reached at (830) 629-9876 or by email at dwill207@satx. rr.com.