They are lighter in weight, fireproof, extremely durable, and relatively easy to drive. They also ground the fence against lightning when in contact with moist soil. Steel posts are available in lengths varying from 5 to 8 feet in 6-inch increments. Steel posts normally cost more than wooden posts and can be bent or forced out of line by livestock crowding. Wooden anchor posts, placed every 50-75 feet are sometimes used to provide added bending resistance for steel line posts.
Barbed wire is less expensive and somewhat easier to work with than woven wire fencing.
Nine-gage smooth wire with galvanized coating is used in brace assemblies. This wire is usually sold by the pound and is normally available in 10-pound coils. The first step in putting together a fencing materials order is to establish where the fence will be located and what length it will be. A rough sketch of the proposed fence will help locate and determine the number of corner and brace posts. A corner post assembly is required each time the fence changes direction.