Safe-guarding a New Slurry Lagoon

Challenge

• What is the project?

220m rural security fence, surrounding a new slurry lagoon on a dairy farm. Aiming to make safe and secure from cattle and humans, as there is footpaths passing nearby. Tornado R11/120/8 netting, Titan barbed wire strand above and below netting, all using Pro-Strain strainer / struts and Clipex posts.

• Where is it?

Near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.

• Which livestock / other animals are involved?

Dairy cattle mainly, as the cow track runs alongside the lagoon, also to keep pedestrians out as footpaths run close by.

• What are the main challenges involved?

As with fencing any raised lagoon, there is always a bit of undulation in the ground to make a straight fence line. Another challenge with this type of fence is usually one or more sides will be installed on ‘made up’ ground with stones and rock which can make it difficult to drive posts to depth, or loosening made up ground can cause posts to want to lift under tension.

Approach

• Why did you decide to use Tornado Wire?

Customer decided to use a metal fencing system, to create a long-lasting strong fence, as security around a slurry lagoon is paramount. The netting chosen along with the 2 barb strands keeps this fence above minimum HSE height for a rural security fence around a lagoon. I have a very good relationship with my local Tornado dealer I know by using Tornado products there is a good back up network, on the very rare occasion its needed.

• How was the fence installed?

The strainers were driven into the ground which was a low amount of topsoil, then into red Pembrokeshire ‘rab’ which is a hard layered rock similar to shale. I was very impressed with the rigidity and strength of the strainers, they really took some knocking to get in, they held their shape and drove very well, there was not flexing or bending on the way in. Strainers are quick and easy to install, the threaded section allowing for slight adjustments to keep posts plumb under tension is genius! If you notice a post start to move when tightening you can re adjust. The strainers were footed with a Clipex post to avoid any lifting under tension as there was a lot of tension with the small mesh net, this said, I don't think they would have been needed, I just did it to give myself piece of mind, I would have done the same on timber posts.

• Which specification of fencing was used and why?

Railway spec system, to achieve minimum HSE height and anti-climb properties, 1200mm net.

• What features does the metal fencing system have that make it particularly effective?

The main benefit of the metal fencing system is the longevity, this truly is a fence for generations. I like that intermediates are easier to work with and install rather than dealing with large bulky timber, metal posts seem to ‘find their way’ through the rock to always go in firmly in any ground.
If I could I would always install metal strainers in the hard ground we have locally, the tubing seems to cut through the rock we have to always hold firm, it's a lot less stressful on machinery used as well compared to large timber. The combination of a correctly tensioned wire with metal posts, really makes for a smart, modern fence.

Result

• Contractor - Stuart Miles - SRM Fencing

"Pro-Strain system is a simple and quick system to work with, really speeds up installation times. Using the correct, recognised techniques for strained wire fencing, it results in a clean and clinical looking fence that doesn't look out of place either around a slurry lagoon or a field boundary. In this particular situation it has left a strong, safe, secure and long-lasting boundary to keep animals and humans safe!"