Fence Laws Program Offered Locally

Fence laws in Missouri are not simple.

“Missouri continues to have a very complicated fence law, in large part due to the fact that two separate laws cover the state, depending on the county that your land is in,” said Joe Koenen, agricultural business specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. “If you own land, you really need to know the law and how it impacts you, whether you own livestock or not.

“Furthermore, in 2016, a portion of the law was changed to address livestock liability that affects livestock and non-livestock owners alike.”

 Other problems are that both laws are subject to interpretation and can be a little different, depending on the county the landowner is in.

A comparison of both laws will be given at a program next month that Koenen will lead.

The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, February 4, at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center’s meeting room 2 in the main building at 21390 Highway 32.

The cost is $15 and includes the program and materials. Pre-registration is recommended as space is limited.

Koenen has been presenting programs on the fence law for more than 25 years throughout the state, including via Skype and ITV.

Landowners need to be aware of what the laws are in their county.

This meeting will help them better understand their rights and responsibilities.          

The program will be offered via Zoom so attendees can see the presentation and also ask questions of the presenter.

The remote presentation allows Koenen to talk to several folks in a wide area without traveling to each location.

 To register, contact the University of Missouri Extension’s Ste. Genevieve County Office at 573-883-3548.

Contact Rachel Hopkins at the University of Missouri Extension’s  Washington County Extension Office at 573-438-2671 with any questions.

(Information in a release from the University of Missouri Extension.)