This is a subscriber-only article
A comprehensive fencing equipment price survey carried out by the Irish Farmers Journal this week has shown a considerable variation in prices.
In most cases, the difference in prices quoted was largely down to the quality and reputation of the brand.
Buying the cheapest product will not always save the farmer money in the long run, as top brands demand a higher price. Farmers should weigh up the price against the longevity of the product.
The most commonly used fencing products were priced with various merchants across every region, both online and over the phone, to form averages, which can be seen in Table 1.
Temporary fencing
While buying in bulk brought a discount on temporary fencing components, brand name was the key driver of price.
Quotes for packs of 10 pig tail posts ranged from €28 to €15, with the cheapest price coming from the northwest.
The average price of a roll of polywire stood at €15. The most expensive price quoted was €25, which came from a merchant in the west. These prices are based on lighter wire, with heavy wire being more expensive.
Prices given for gap handles were more consistent, with basic handles ranging from €1.50 to €3.00.
A pack of PVC posts cost an average of €16.50. The cheapest price of €10 was once again in the northwest, with the south being most expensive at €23.
Numerous merchants reported growing interest from farmers in higher-quality geared reels. Prices for this product ranged from €27 to €79. Once again, brand names and reputation accounted for the very different prices.
Permanent fencing
As with most products, prices quoted for timber posts depended on the specifications of the post, while buying in bulk allowed a considerable discount. The figures in the table are based on individual posts. A 5ft creosoted post of 4in diameter ranged from €5 in the south to €7.50 in the midlands. The average cost of a 5ft tanalised post of 4in diameter came to €4.
Farmers are looking at paying between €125 and €160 for 100m of sheepwire, and between €45 and €94 for 650m of plain electric fence wire. The south was the most expensive region to buy both products.
Meanwhile, barbed wire came in at an average of €46 for a 200m roll.
SHARING OPTIONS: