Types of fencing. Good fences make good neighbours, so knowing how to build and maintain fences is an essential skill.

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1 FENCING

2 Types of fencing Good fences make good neighbours, so knowing how to build and maintain fences is an essential skill. Boundary fences Must comply with the Fencing Act At most, the posts must be 5 metres apart, have at least seven wires and be fully battened. Wire fences can also be electrified. The number of wires that are powered is dictated by the type of stock being restrained. For non-boundary fences, search lifestyleblock.co.nz for helpful tables outlining alternative wire spacings and other advice. Post & rail fences Built for their looks as well as their function. They are best suited for larger animals such as horses. They do not qualify as a legal boundary fence. Temporary powered fences Ideal for low-cost internal fencing. The number of wires will depend on the type of stock you re containing. Electrified flexible plastic mesh is also available. 20

3 Types of fencing Netting fences Available with different-sized mesh to suit the stock being restrained. They can be supported by dug-in posts and strained, or tied to driven-in metal standards. Barbed wire Totally banish barbed wire from your farm; with powered fences there s no longer a need for it. Barbed wire risks damaging an animal s hide or pelt. IN OUR EXPERIENCE it pays to make sure your fencing is adequate for the stock you run, because livestock escaping through a fence will only lead to trouble. We ve heard of sheep trotting through wet concrete, goats stealing clothes off washing lines, and a Kunekune pig eating an entire crop of saffron. Worse still, an animal on the road can cause a serious accident. 21

4 Strainer assembly There s nothing more important than setting the strainer post at each end of the fence correctly, so it won t fall over when all the wires are attached and strained. The post needs to be set against the firm side of the hole when you fill it in. The stay needs to be at the correct height and well anchored so the strain on the wires doesn t lift the post out of the ground. In soft or peaty ground, you may need a double strainer assembly to take the strain, or a footer attached beneath the post. Wire knots & joins It s important to learn how to properly tie the wire into a knot around the strainers. High-tensile wire is hard to bend by hand, but using tools that mark the wire may weaken it under strain and cause it to break. When working with wire, everyone on the job needs to be vigilant, and it s essential to wear eye protection and gloves. Using wire strainers or operating a posthole rammer isn t easy, so seek experienced help. The diagram below shows how the two wires to be joined are looped over each other. Remember to leave mm of wire beyond each loop. After the wires are strained up (step 1) and the knot pulled tight (step 2), the surplus wire ends can be wrapped around the line wire and snapped off neatly. STEP 1 STEP 2 22

5 Powered fencing Good earth for powered fencing is essential. If possible, in a wet area, use plenty of pegs and bolt the wires to them. Make the top wire dead so it s easy to climb over. It s also a good idea to make the bottom wire dead to allow dogs to get through without getting a shock. Insulate all exposed wires with split plastic water pipe in areas where people (especially visitors and contractors) are likely to walk. Make sure all metal gates are insulated from the fence. Make sure all wires crossing water troughs are fully insulated or earthed to avoid voltage on the water, which will prevent stock from drinking. When using temporary electric fencing, keep your reel as far from the roadside as possible to deter theft. Gates Prefabricated metal gates are popular because they re available in standard widths and are light, easy to handle and easy to assemble. Wooden gates are heavy and more difficult to mount, and horses may chew them. The positioning of gates is extremely important to ensure good stock flow and to prevent crushing. 23

6 Gates The point where a number of gates meet can be used as a temporary holding pen. Make sure all catches are stock-proof, but at the same time easy to open. If you re going to climb your gates, do it at the hinge end. It s essential to have good stockyards for the safe handling of cattle, sheep and goats. A good solid headbail is essential for cattle handling. Having an escape hole that a person can get through, but a beast can t, will make your cattle yard a safer place to work. The key to a great stockyard is making sure that stock can flow through it efficiently. Speak to a farmer or rural supplier for ideas, and invest in an experienced builder. A loading facility is essential, unless you can share one with a neighbour. Stock trucks are getting bigger, so factoring in a large turning circle is important. If there s any chance of a gate being stolen, or lifted off by large animals, mount the top gudgeon upside down. 24

7 SUMMARY Fencing is a perfect example of something you need to take much more seriously on a lifestyle block. Getting fencing right will help minimise a lot of the risks to your livestock and others. Important points to remember are: Ensure that all your boundary fencing complies with the Fencing Act 1978 and that any other fencing you build is appropriate for its purpose. Remember to check fencing regularly to ensure that stock can t escape, especially after a storm. Broken battens, popped staples and loose wires are key things to watch out for. If livestock are able to escape as a result of your poorly maintained fences, you could be legally responsible to pay for any damage they cause. Talk to your neighbours before building any boundary fence you ll be sharing. Not all insurers cover farm fencing under their farm buildings policies, so be sure to talk to your insurer about your farming needs to make sure you re adequately covered. We re here for the good of the country. 25