A New Look in Fencing

More than 230 farmers braved cold, drizzly weather to attend a demonstration of the revolutionary flexifence at the Lands and Survey farm, Rosedale.

Many farmers would probably view the flexifence with suspicion. The 10 wires are low in tension, there are a minimum of posts, battens are of Polypropylene and the whole thing can almost be pushed to the ground by leaning on it.

And yet farmers who have used the fence have found it successful. Mr H. C. H. Pearse, from the Water and Soil Division of the Ministry of Works in Palmerston North, who explained the principles of the flexifence, said that often stock coming into contact with the fence retreated when they found it moved alarmingly.

A main feature, and one which should appeal to farmers, is the cheapness of the fence. The Department of Agriculture can supply full information.

"Hmmmml" The flexifence comes under scrutiny

The flexifence sure is. Peter Ellis of Pepin Island puts the fence to the kind of test a hefty steer would administer. In the left foreground is one of the Polypropylene battens

Huddled under raincoats, hats and umbrellas, farmers listen to Mr Pearse describing the construction of the fence

Lex Foote, once of Upper Moutere, provided the manpower while Mr Pearse described the construction. Here Lex puts up a strainer and the speed in which he accomplished this task certainly impressed the crowd. The construction of the fence is described in detail in a pamphlet written by Mr Pearse

Digging post holes is a lot easier than it used to be

Lex laces on a batten in about a minute. Fencing using this method is fast, cheap and experience has proved its effectiveness.

A demonstration of an easy method of delivering fencing material was given by the Nelson Aero Club. Posts can be seen dropping from the aeroplane's wings

Previous article Issue contents Next article

The Nelson Photo News

No 130 : August 21, 1971

A New Look in Fencing