Agricultural Electric Fencing: A Complete Guide for UK Farmers

Electric Fencing for Farms

Electric fencing is the most cost-effective way to manage livestock and protect crops. Whether you're containing cattle, horses, sheep, or poultry, a properly installed electric fence keeps animals where they should be.

Choosing the Right Energiser

The energiser is the heart of your electric fence. Choose based on:

• Fence length: Longer fences need more powerful energisers
• Animal type: Cattle need 4,000-5,000V, sheep need 5,000-7,000V, horses need 3,000-4,000V
• Power source: Mains (most reliable), battery (portable), or solar (remote areas)
• Vegetation: Overgrown fence lines drain power — choose a more powerful energiser if vegetation is an issue

Types of Agricultural Electric Fencing

• Permanent fencing: Steel wire or high-tensile polywire on wooden posts — ideal for boundary fences
• Semi-permanent: Polywire on steel stakes — good for rotational grazing paddocks
• Temporary/portable: Electric netting or tape on step-in posts — perfect for moving livestock

Installation Tips

• Ensure good earthing — poor earthing is the most common cause of weak fences
• Keep vegetation clear of the fence line to prevent power loss
• Use proper insulators for the post type you're using
• Install a lightning diverter to protect your energiser
• Test voltage regularly with a fence tester

Nemtek Agricultural Range

As a Nemtek approved installer, we supply and install their full range of agricultural energisers — from small battery units for temporary paddocks to powerful mains energisers for large farm perimeters. All come with built-in lightning protection.

Need agricultural electric fencing? We cover farms across Yorkshire and the Midlands. Call 07388 296957 for a free site visit.