When cows regularly found their way out of the paddock, a sharemilker in South Taranaki turned to Agri-Fencing Taranaki to secure his farm with a reliable electric fencing solution. The coastal location presented unique challenges, as the salty air and exposure can quickly degrade fencing components, reducing their effectiveness. Additionally, the site’s complex layout required thoughtful planning to simplify the power supply for future maintenance.

Challenges Faced

Initially, the client’s fencing system had a reduced output of only 1.2kV, far below the power needed to contain his herd effectively. Frequent cross-feeding and back-feeding issues complicated the setup, making fault-finding nearly impossible. The earth system, essential for grounding the fence and maintaining power, was also insufficient, impacting the fence’s overall performance.

Beyond the technical hurdles, this was a high-maintenance site: coastal weather and the presence of salt led to frequent corrosion of components. Many insulators, underground cables, and connection joints had deteriorated, allowing voltage to leak and further reducing containment.

Assessing the Situation

The first step involved a drive-around with the client to pinpoint problem areas and understand the scope of work. This hands-on approach allowed us to identify exactly where issues occurred and discuss practical solutions directly on-site.

To maximize fence performance, we needed a multi-step approach:

1. Assessing and Upgrading the Energizer Capacity:
   The energizer capacity was checked to ensure it could handle the farm's size and power demand. Once we confirmed the energizer was suitable, we shifted focus to optimizing the earth system.

2. Enhancing the Earth System:
   The earth setup was undersized, causing power issues, so we installed additional earth pegs. A retest showed a significant improvement, proving the setup could now support an effective power flow across the fence.

Repairing and Upgrading Fencing Components

With a strong foundation established, we moved on to address specific fencing components and connections:

• Improving Connections with L Joints:
  One of the primary issues was loose and corroded connections. Rather than simply wrapping wires around connection points, we installed L joints, which are far more stable and resistant to corrosion.

• Replacing Faulty Insulators and Crimping Wires:
  Broken insulators were replaced, faulty joints were removed, and wires were crimped to ensure secure connections. These steps minimized the risk of power loss at critical points.

• Repairing and Checking Underground Cables:
  We thoroughly inspected the underground cables and replaced any that were damaged or nearing the end of their lifespan, reinforcing the fence's overall reliability.

Strategic Enhancements for Coastal Conditions

To address the site’s coastal environment, we made adjustments specifically tailored for durability:

• Installing Switches for Riparian Fences:
  To reduce the impact of shorts, particularly in riparian areas prone to vegetation growth, we added switches. This allowed the client to strategically isolate sections, minimizing the need for extensive troubleshooting.

• Streamlining Layout for Fault Management:
  One of the major changes was simplifying the power supply and layout to reduce cross-feeding and back-feeding, which previously made fault-finding difficult. By paralleled race fences, we increased the power supply line’s stability and efficiency.

Results and Benefits

The results were transformative. After completing our work, the fence output surged from 1.2kV to a strong 6kV—more than enough to prevent the cows from straying. The client was provided with a detailed map of the power supply lines and switch placements, which would help him manage the fencing system in the future with ease. This map and simplified setup significantly reduced the complexity of locating and fixing potential faults.

Highlights and Key Takeaways

• Coastal Durability:
  The improvements made specifically for the coastal environment will prolong the life of the fence system and reduce ongoing maintenance needs.

• Effective Fault Management:
  By simplifying the layout and adding strategic switches, we made future troubleshooting more manageable. The client can now quickly isolate sections without interrupting the entire system.

• Increased Security for Livestock Containment:
  With a robust and well-maintained fence delivering 6kV, the client’s herd is securely contained, and he can be confident in the fence's ability to withstand the coastal conditions over time.

At Agri-Fencing Taranaki, this project exemplifies our commitment to designing solutions that go beyond simply fixing immediate issues. By understanding the unique challenges of each site, we provide long-term, durable fencing solutions for our clients. This South Taranaki case not only strengthened our client’s farm infrastructure but also reflects our ability to adapt fencing systems for challenging conditions, delivering reliable containment and peace of mind for farmers.