I plan on using a hedge instead of a normal fence for my large stock when I get my land. My plan is to use willow/aspen brush and saplings laid down in the traditional way to grow sideways- willow will root anywhere it touches the ground and encourages other plants to root also-, also cut brush from land clearing in addition to some large root balls/stumps from downed conifers in the area. I also intend to plant young spruces very close together behind this, and in a few years it should be sufficient for stock. I can afford to wait that long because it's going to take several years to build the house, barn, etc. anyway. The spruces won't be big enough to matter for a decade or two, but till then the rest should do ok.
From what I've seen of people who use electric fence or barbed wire, hedge would be so much less of a headache. As long as its managed to be dense and impenetrable, it only gets better.
Also it's cheap or free, most of the materials are already there, just requires work (much more pleasant work than putting up fence posts and stringing wire), and it looks SO much better than wire fences. Totally sustainable, biodegradable, no wires to hurt animals or trees in future years, no fence posts that constantly need attention.
Also most of the scumbags who think nothing of cutting wire to get into a field won't go to the effort of getting through a really good hedge. A fence that keeps what should be in, in, and what should be out, out.
I like the fact that it shelters wildlife, too, although much of that wildlife will be vermin that will prey upon my crops and chickens. But all things considered, I think hedges are the way to go.
They've been used for so long in Europe and obviously they work sufficiently well for the stock over there, so they should work here just as well.