RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Technology helps take strain out of fencing Ranfurly farmers Karl and Ro McDiarmid run 5,000 ewes and 1,500 hoggets and finish 700-800 bulls a year on 1,330ha in the Maniototo. It is a busy operation. Recently the couple put in two new pivots and converted 150ha into intensive techno grazing.
To speed things up they bought a
On average the couple replace between
you can keep going for a lot longer.
1 and 5 kilometres of fenceline annually,
You don’t get a sore arm after doing
using seven-wire fencing for existing
a kilometre of staples. You can keep
fences and netting for added security
going the whole day.”
on all new fencelines.
The ST400i and the insulator guide
Keeping fences up to scratch is
attachment has also helped increase
important on the farm. Karl says
power around the property, adding a
poor fencing can undo some of the
single electric wire with ease.
processes they have put in place.
Karl says the whole family has had a go.
“If a fence fails, mobs can box up.
He’s even talked about the tool with his
Depending on the time of year, that
mountain-biking mates.
might mean twins and singles getting
“I told one of the guys ‘You need one of
back together after they’ve just been
these if you are doing any fencing’. He
scanned and drafted.”
bought one. He must have been happy
Karl and his one other staff member
with it because he’s now recommended
manage most new farm fencing and
it to someone else.”
fencing maintenance. He estimates
Karl says the cordless stapler is also
they do 95 percent of all fencing jobs
good for keeping farmers engaged.
using existing farm labour, only calling
“Most of those older fellas don’t like
in a contractor when they are under
using technology. They can be reluctant
the pump.
to take on something that’s new,
Stockade ST400i cordless power stapler. Karl says it has lived up to its promise of speed and reliability. “It’s quick and light – anyone can use it. It’s awesome gear and pretty easy to change over from a hammer to power. You get a lot more done in a day and
whereas something like the ST400i makes their life so much easier.” After 50 years on the land, Grant Geddis from Waipiata is exactly one of those farmers keen to stay hands-on, with a couple of hundred acres to “keep him out of mischief”. Not to be outdone by osteoarthritis, Grant has picked up a ST400i to tidy up old fences and run more netting and hot wire across the farm. “We have used it a fair bit. I have to keep it off the young fella. He thinks it is a toy for him. I got it for myself. It is ideal because I couldn’t hammer like I used to. Put in place, pull the trigger and ‘Wow’ the staple is in, even in hardwood. It is a great invention.” Karl says you don’t need to be a contractor to get value out of the ST400i. “It is quite an investment but it pays itself off pretty quickly. You have to be able to justify it. If you are doing a week of fencing or longer a year, it is going to pay itself off, and it is so easy to use.” For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Stockade
| Maniototo farmer Karl McDiarmid says good fencing can ensure good results when the pressure comes on.
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