Which Fencing Is Best for Farms and Agricultural Land?

The perimeter for your land is not something to be taken lightly when it comes to fencing. Selecting the right boundary is not only a significant investment, but it will also dictate the security of your livestock and the long-term value of your estate. When the good old English summertime rolls around it offers up a prime period for landowners to cast a critical eye over their fencing structures and see what needs updating, prepping or replacing all together, before consulting with an agricultural fencing contractor to get things fixed.

Every farm in Kent comes with its own quirks, from stubborn slopes to heavy soil, coastal exposure to particular breeds of animals that have a real knack for finding the smallest gap. For these reasons, an off the shelf approach to boundary fencing is rarely the answer. When the safety of your stock and the integrity of your perimeter are at stake you want to know that you are covered.

At PQF Assured, we view every project as an entirely bespoke entity, and we couple it with our local knowledge of the Kent geography to come up with what will work best in each instance, because we know that a boundary wall for a commercial arable field will have entirely different requirements to that of a quiet equestrian property. 

Here’s what we know.

The traditional appeal of post and rail fencing

When it comes to the favourite for rural properties in the South East, nothing beats post and rail fencing. As well as having a clean, classic look that works well with the natural landscape, it is a well-established option for sturdy fencing that will also act as a deterrent due the visual barrier that it creates. This also makes it a good choice for horses, with solid rails providing a more significant fence-line than electric fencing, as well as a more pleasing aesthetic set up! 

We often reconnect high quality, pressure-treated timber to ensure that the wood can stand up against the elements, but the final configuration is entirely down to you. For example, you might find that a simple two rail system is plenty for marking a boundary, but you require a four rail set up for livestock fencing and extra peace of mind. Every aspect of post and railing is customisable, so the height and rail spacings can also be engineered around whatever livestock you are looking after.

The secure livestock fencing Kent farms use for active management

We all know that keeping livestock isn't as simple as putting them in a field and forgetting about it. These are creatures with endless amounts of time and an insatiable curiosity. And when you are on the hunt for a farm fencing contractor, you need someone who understands the differences. 

This isn’t about just putting up a mesh or stock fencing, it is about creating a barrier that can handle the specific quirks and pressures of cattle, or pigs, or sheep. Different animals may lean or scratch or burrow or push against the fences in various ways, so it needs to be developed in order to withstand this. We use high-tensile wire mesh that is superior at maintaining its tension when compared to cheaper alternatives, for example. Another is to add a top line of barbed wire or a smooth timber capping rail, to prevent some of the larger animals from trying their luck over the top.

Then there is the landscape itself. Kent geography is not one single thing, so there is no one type of livestock fencing that Kent farms use universally. The rolling hills, the dips on the Kent Downs, the chalk in the soil and the exposure to sea air all work to make design and installation a challenge. But we are up to that challenge. A skilled hand will ensure that the wire stays taut, even on the most uneven of grounds. 

Since no two fields are truly identical, we always take a look at the layout, soil type and temperament of your animals before suggesting what fencing will work best. Our aim is to give you a solution that works to your specifications, and stays as maintenance-free as possible, so that you can get back to what you need to be focusing on: farming.

Planning ahead with stock fencing near me

Field fencing can be a fantastic way to manage large agricultural tracts, with robust and multipurpose uses, but it has to be done right. If you are currently searching for stock fencing near me to secure a new paddock or a large-scale estate boundary, then our bespoke approach could be exactly what you need.

These types of fences are not merely to keep things in. They are also to deter unwanted intruders -both human and animal - and they help to establish a professional, well maintained perimeter that reflects the quality of the land it contains. 

When people search for stock fencing near me, they are not just looking for an off-the-shelf option. They want a contractor that can combine local knowledge, recommendations for high quality materials that will best suit the unique environmental conditions of the region in which they reside. 

Smarter access with sliding farm gates

The entrance to your land needs to be just as reliable as any fence line that it sits within. In recent years sliding farm gates have become a real go-to option for agricultural locations, especially those where space may be tight or when a traditional swing gate would struggle, such as on a steep slope or uneven ground.

These systems are particularly brilliant for providing wide openings for tractors and farm machinery, as well as any heavy-duty delivery vehicles, without the worry of the wind catching a gate and swinging it shut. 

As with all of our gates and fences, we can design your sliding farm gates to match your fencing perfectly, whether that be created using premium timber or durable metal options.

When you opt for a bespoke access solution from a dedicated farm fencing contractor, you know that you are getting an entry point that is as functional as it is secure, but that it is also easy to operate when it matters. Yes, it will be an investment, but it is one of those upgrades that you will appreciate every single time you need to move equipment between fields.

Why summer is the best time for an agricultural fencing contractor

Our team may be out in the fields all year round, but we cannot deny that the summer months are something special for farming. It is during this time that business booms, with big rural fencing projects coming into their own. This is no accident. The ground is drier, which makes the moving of machinery a lot easier, and it won't leave deep ruts on your land, so less chance of damaging your soil. 

The longer, brighter days are also a great opportunity for walking entire perimeters and spotting the damage that winter has done, natural wear and tear, or rot setting in, so that it can be fixed before the weather turns again. We love getting out on site to walk the land with you and working together to identify the tricky spots and chatting through a tailored plan for you and your location. 

Bringing in a professional agricultural fencing contractor and getting your upgrades sorted while the sun is shining means that you’ll be prepared for the cooler weather way before the harvest busy period takes all of your focus. 

Delivering bespoke livestock fencing in Kent

The sheer variety that we see across the Kentish countryside is what keeps our work interesting. One week we will be focused on intricate livestock fencing for a specialist breeder; the next we’re installing automated sliding farm gates for a busy commercial hub. 

Requirements are rarely static or one-and-done, with changes happening seasonally, or when your stock changes. Because every project we undertake is bespoke in nature, we have the flexibility to add in the extra details that matter, such as predator protection or extra-strong sections where your animals like to gather en-masse.

Our reputation as a leading agricultural fencing contractor comes from this commitment to actually listening to the landowner - no one knows your land better than you - and then building a solution to fit that specific reality. 

Finding the right fencing for your land

If you know that you are looking for an upgrade, but are not quite sure which direction to take, then do get in touch with us.

Deciding between the different wire meshes, timber grades and gate styles does not have to be a daunting task, especially when you have someone there to help you weigh up the options. 

Give us a call or send over an enquiry today to begin the process, so that we can help you find the right bespoke rural fencing solution for your farm.