Farm Mesh

Farm Mesh — Buying Guide

Farm mesh is the backbone of rural fencing across Australia. Designed to contain livestock and exclude unwanted animals, high-quality farm mesh provides a strong, flexible, and long-lasting fencing solution for properties of all sizes. Understanding the different types of farm mesh available will help you choose the right product for your specific stock type, terrain, and budget.

Types of Farm Mesh

• Ring-lock mesh: Individual rings lock together at each intersection, creating a flexible mesh that absorbs impact and movement without losing shape. Ideal for undulating terrain, and excellent for sheep, goats, and general livestock fencing. The graduated spacing (tighter at the base, wider at the top) provides effective containment across species of different sizes.
• Hinge joint mesh: Wire strands are joined with a spiral or hinge joint at each intersection, allowing individual wires to move independently. This flexibility makes hinge joint mesh extremely resistant to damage from large animals and is widely used for cattle, horse, and sheep fencing across Queensland.
• Fixed knot mesh: Wires are knotted at each intersection, creating a very strong, rigid mesh. Best suited to high-pressure livestock situations, exclusion fencing for wild dogs and feral pigs, and applications where maximum strength is required.

Mesh Height and Strand Configuration

Farm mesh is available in a range of heights — typically from 730mm up to 1800mm — with varying numbers of horizontal stay wires depending on the height and intended application. For most sheep and cattle fencing, 900mm–1050mm mesh is standard. For goat fencing, 1200mm is recommended. For deer, kangaroo exclusion, or wild dog protection, taller mesh of 1500mm–1800mm may be required.

Choosing Farm Mesh by Livestock Type

• Cattle: Hinge joint or fixed knot mesh, 900mm–1050mm height with 4–5 strands of barbed or plain wire above the mesh for added height
• Sheep: Ring-lock or hinge joint mesh, 730mm–900mm height — choose tighter spacing at the base to prevent lambs passing through
• Goats: Ring-lock mesh, minimum 1200mm height — goats are notorious fence-testers and require tight, strong mesh
• Horses: Hinge joint mesh without barbed wire — smooth wire reduces injury risk. Consider a plain or electric wire offset inside the fence
• Pigs: Fixed knot or ring-lock mesh with tight base spacing — pigs are strong and persistent fence challengers

Installation Tips for Farm Mesh

Begin every farm mesh fence installation with robust strainer post assemblies at corners, gates, and at regular intervals on long straight runs. The quality of your strainer posts determines how well the entire fence performs under tension. Use a wire strainer or gripple tensioning tool to achieve correct tension — under-tensioned mesh will sag, lose effectiveness, and be more vulnerable to damage. On undulating terrain across the Sunshine Coast hinterland and South East Queensland, attach mesh to intermediate star picket line posts at regular intervals to follow the ground contour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ring-lock and hinge joint farm mesh?
Both are flexible mesh types, but ring-lock uses individual rings at each intersection while hinge joint uses a spiral or crimped connection. Ring-lock is generally considered slightly more flexible and forgiving on uneven terrain, while hinge joint offers excellent strength under animal pressure. Both are excellent choices for most farm fencing applications.

How long does farm mesh last?
Quality high-tensile galvanised farm mesh typically lasts 20–30+ years in standard inland conditions. Coastal environments (such as the Sunshine Coast) may reduce this lifespan — using a higher zinc coating grade or combining with galvanised posts can help maximise longevity near the coast.

Do you deliver farm mesh to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast?
Yes — we offer Australia-wide delivery including to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and all of South East Queensland. Mesh rolls are delivered by pallet freight for large orders; contact us for a freight quote.

Order Farm Mesh Online — Sunshine Coast, Brisbane & Australia-Wide

Discount Landscape Supplies stocks a comprehensive range of farm mesh products for rural and agricultural fencing applications. Order online with fast dispatch to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and all of Australia. Contact our team for bulk pricing, product selection advice, and freight quotes on large rural fencing orders.