The Farmers Mart Aug/Sep 2013 - Issue 29 | Page 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

mcveigh parker INNOVATIVE FENCING DESIGNED TO ‘BADGERPROOF’ FARMS
With all the controversy currently raging about the badger cull, it is a good time to examine the efforts that are being made to reduce humanely the risk of TB spread from badgers to cattle and other livestock. The Badger X™ fence® from fencing, agricultural and equestrian specialists, McVeigh Parker, has been independently and successfully trialled by The South West TB Farm Advisory Service in a collaborative bio-security project with Bicton College in Devon. This innovative project aims to engage farmers in the area, alongside the next generation of farmers at the College, with continued research into effective badger proof equipment. The aim is to inspire the students to come up with new ideas for future badger-proof equipment to reduce the risk of TB spread from badgers to cattle. “The fencing was initially installed to offer protection to the two alpacas at Bicton College,? ?? explained Lucy McVeigh Parker, Associate Director of the company. “Badgers were regularly entering their enclosure (which is approximately an acre in size) to use a latrine, which poses a significant disease threat.” The OX™ fence® is buried into the ground and then angled in the direction a badger would approach. The enclosure was baited with peanuts prior to, during and after completion of the installation of the fencing and three Bushnell camera traps were set up around the enclosure to monitor badger activity. The ability of the badgers to determine weak points that might allow access to the enclosure was immediately apparent. As wire had not been dug into the ground under the gates, they immediately targeted these areas and were able to gain access by digging underneath them. The ground beneath the gates was then concreted, preventing access. The badgers continued to target the gates at weak points and managed to enter the enclosure through a gap of 10.5 cm between a gate and post. “Since this was blocked off on 20th May 2013, the badgers have been unable to access the enclosure,” Lucy added. “After closely monitoring the badger footage, our theory is that once the badgers hit the fencing that is dug into the ground they decide that the area is impossible to dig and give up. Badgers are adept at climbing but they never attempt to climb over the fence.” Badger X™ fence® wire is ideal for double fencing for Approved Finishing Units as set out by DEFRA Using electric fencing as an internal fence line will stop nose to nose contact. X™ fence® offers many benefits: manufactured from highest quality primary

metals only, it guarantees consistent tensile strength every time. Its 95% Zinc 5% Aluminium coating (known as XTRALIFE) lasts two or three times longer than standard galvanised wire – and it offers 24% stronger knot joint, independently trialled. (Details available). It has 450 mm pre-stripped both ends for ease of tying off. Alu/Zinc XTRALIFE coated wire is more ductile and more resistant to fatigue and it also provides superior corrosion resistance. Manufactured with an Alu/Zinc exceeding coating surpassing BS EN 10244-2 A Class, this Badger fencing exceeds European Standards for strength and galvanisation. Bespoke sizes and heights are available to suit all requirements. It also meets Highways Agency specifications (as outlined on HA drawings H46 and H47).

For more information and to see the video footage go online to www. mcveighparker.co.uk or call 0845 1207755. McVeigh Parker & Co. Ltd, Fencing, Agricultural and Equestrian Supplies, Kent Branch, Thornden Farm, Lenham Road, Headcorn, Ashford, Kent. TN27 9LH

To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk

FarmersMart Aug/Sep 2013

11