Conventional fences use prefabricated rolls, plain wires or barbed wire to create a physical stock-proof barrier. Electric fences rely on a psychological barrier created by an electric shock to prevent the stock from crossing the fence.
The most appropriate fence design will depend on a number of factors:
The type of animal needing to be kept in or out - different animals have different fencing requirements. Cattle for instance place much higher pressures on fences than sheep.
Whether the fence is an internal fence or boundary fence - boundary fences may need to be sturdier than internal fences. Barbed wire may be recommended for boundary fences.
The topography of the site - does the fence pass through gullies or up steep slopes and other issues such as whether the fence will have to withstand floods or fire.
Other landholders and local fencing suppliers can help determine the most suitable fence for your application.