When you’re planning out new livestock fencing, the choices can feel endless. Do you go with a cable fence that’s quick to string up? Do you invest in a pipe fence that’s built like a tank? Or do you pick continuous fence panels that split the difference with faster installs and a clean look? Each option has its place, but each comes with tradeoffs in cost, safety, and maintenance.

At OPS Steel, we supply the pipe, panels, posts, and gates that ranchers use to build all three systems. Here’s a straight-shooting guide to help you decide which fence works best for your operation.

At a Glance: Comparing the Three Fencing Options

Cable Fence: Cheap and Flexible, but Watch the Safety

Cable fencing is often the first choice for ranchers who want a simple barrier at a low initial cost. It uses steel cable strung between pipe posts, usually tensioned with turnbuckles or hardware that allows adjustment.

Pros:

• Low upfront cost compared to full pipe fence

• Flexible installation around uneven ground

• Relatively fast to string up

• Good visibility from a distance

Cons:

• Cable slackens over time and needs frequent re-tightening

• Some do not recommend for horses due to entanglement concerns.

• Cattle learn to test it, especially at feed times

• Weaker against outside pressure like vehicles

Best Uses:

Cable fence works well along long runs where budget matters more than brute strength. It’s fine for lanes and lower-pressure holding areas, but it’s not the best choice for pens where cattle push hard against the fence.

Pipe Fence: The Gold Standard for Strength

Pipe fencing has earned its reputation as the toughest and longest-lasting option. Built from new or used pipe welded in place, it can handle decades of abuse from livestock and weather without flinching.

Pros:

• Known for durability and strength when properly built.

• Withstands cattle pressure, equipment bumps, and harsh conditions

• Customizable in height, post spacing, and rail count

• Long lifespan with proper coatings

Cons:

• High upfront cost, both materials and labor

• Slower to build since every cut and weld is done on site

• Heavy pipe requires proper equipment for handling

Best Uses:

Pipe fence shines for perimeter fencing, roadside stretches, and working corrals where cattle put pressure on the rails. If you want a fence that will outlast nearly everything else on your ranch, pipe fence is the answer.

Continuous Fence Panels: Quick and Practical

Continuous fence panels are pre-fabricated steel sections, usually 20 feet long with 4 to 7 welded rails. They connect together with sleeves or clamps, creating a clean and uniform line.

Pros:

• Much faster to install than welding pipe from scratch

• Panels are consistent and professional-looking

• Easy to replace a damaged section without reworking the whole fence

• Rail spacing can help reduce some risks compared to cable, but outcomes vary.

Cons:

• Less customizable than pipe fence

• Not quite as strong as heavy wall pipe in high-pressure areas

• Transport requires handling long panel sections

Best Uses:

Continuous panels are ideal for corrals, pens, and sorting areas where speed and flexibility matter. They’re also a great choice for operations that need to fence quickly but still want steel durability.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Safety for Livestock

• Cable fence: Works in low-pressure cattle areas. Some do not recommend for horses.

• Pipe fence: Strong option when properly installed, but OPS Steel does not guarantee animal safety.

• Continuous panels: Good spacing compared to cable.

Cost

• Cable fence: Lowest initial cost, but ongoing maintenance adds up.

• Pipe fence: Highest upfront, but long-term cost evens out since it lasts decades.

• Continuous panels: Middle ground on cost with less labor.

Durability and Maintenance

• Cable fence: Needs tightening and occasional replacement.

• Pipe fence: Minimal maintenance; just coat or repaint as needed.

• Continuous panels: Durable but easier to replace sections if needed.

Install Speed

• Cable fence: Fastest to install once posts are set.

• Pipe fence: Slowest, every piece cut and welded in place.

• Continuous panels: Similar to cable fence once posts are set, and especially quick if installing smaller sections.

Real-World Scenarios

• Corrals and Sorting Pens: Continuous panels are the sweet spot. They’re fast, safe, and can be replaced when cattle wear down a section.

• Perimeter Fencing: Pipe fence is often chosen here for its strength, but lifespan varies by environment and upkeep.

• Roadside or Public Areas: Pipe fence is often preferred for visibility and strength. 

• Long, Low-Pressure Runs: Cable fence makes sense where cattle aren’t pressing and budget is tight.

How OPS Steel Can Help

OPS Steel stocks the products you need for all three systems:

• Continuous Fence Panels for fast builds

• Pipe (new, secondary, and used) for permanent fencing

• Posts, T-posts, and barbed wire for hybrid setups

• Gates and accessories to finish your line

• Cable for fencing systems (different from barbed wire)

We also provide secondary and reject pipe that’s perfect for fencing projects where budget matters. 

FAQs

Is cable fence safe for cattle?

Cable fence can work in certain low-pressure cattle applications, but cattle may test it over time. Some do not recommend it for horses. OPS Steel does not guarantee animal safety or performance.

How long does a pipe fence last?

Pipe fence is often chosen for its potential to last many years when properly maintained. Longevity varies by environment and upkeep. OPS Steel does not warrant lifespan.

Are continuous fence panels strong enough for bulls?

Continuous panels are generally suitable for most livestock setups, but for high-pressure or aggressive animals, some ranchers prefer pipe fence. OPS Steel provides no safety guarantees.

Which fence is cheapest to build?

Cable fence has the lowest upfront cost. Continuous panels and pipe cost more but save on long-term maintenance and replacement.

Can OPS Steel deliver pipe and panels to my ranch?

Yes. With locations near Tulsa, OK and Birmingham, AL; we provide delivery services so you can get materials straight to your site.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between cable fence, pipe fence, and continuous panels comes down to balancing budget, livestock pressure, and installation method. OPS Steel can supply the materials, but makes no warranties on safety, durability, or suitability for your operation. Customers are solely responsible for research, installation, and maintenance decisions.

OPS Steel can supply you with the right products for any of these systems, along with guidance on available materials so you can build the fence that fits your operation.

DISCLAIMER: OPS Steel does not guarantee animal safety, longevity, or performance of any fencing system. Customers are responsible for evaluating their own needs and conditions before choosing materials.

New limited service, structural grade, reject & used materials are sold: 'as is', with no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied. Including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose which are expressly disclaimed. It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure correctness of material delivered before signature.