Invention lightens fencing load

Rex Munro (left) and Darryn Ross say their new-look battens will make a fencer's job a lot easier. Dean Taylor revisits the innovation centre at National Fieldays

It has taken two decades, but finally an idea for a better fence batten system has seen the light of day and - judging by the reaction - it will be here to stay.

Christchurch partners Rex Munro and Darryn Ross were at the Fieldays Grassroots Innovation Centre with their Easy Batten System.

Twenty years ago, Munro, a joiner and builder -- and self-confessed inventor -- made a metal prototype of a "snap-in" batten.

It sat in his shed over the years, but he recently dragged it out and thought maybe it would better if it were made of plastic.

Enter Ross, who had recently sold his shares in a large plastics company and had a background in engineering, sales and marketing.

The inventor pitched his idea to the engineer -- he was convinced and the pair formed Styx Solutions to develop and market the concept.

Fieldays was the research and Ross says: "We wanted to take our product to the consumer and see what they thought.

"The reaction has been extremely positive. We have taken suggestions on board and the products are being slightly modified and should be ready for launch late November or early December."

The goal was to produce a batten to replace conventional wooden battens.

"We wanted something light, versatile, cost-effective, easy to use and long-lasting, and we think we have done it," Ross says.

The batten is made of a strong, highly UV-stable polymer and weighs just 250g.

Ross expects them to be good for at least 20 years.

The light weight means it doesn't put any strain on the fence and the farmer or fencer can carry a lot to the job site -- or even carry a few spares during a normal workday.

It weaves through the wires on any fence, from a three-wire to a nine-wire and on any gauge up to 4.5mm, including barbed wire.

The batten won't rot or crack and is flexible so it will take some punishment without breaking.

If an animal does manage to move a batten, it will self-lock and it is easy to straighten.

Best of all, no tools are required.

The second part of the system is the outriggers for hot wires or tape.

They easily attach to the batten and cannot easily be moved by stock or blown off by a strong wind.

They can also be attached at various heights, depending on the stock, and come in two sizes -- standard is 165mm and for horses or big stock 290mm.

Being all plastic, no insulators are needed for the electrification, another cost saving.

Ross says fencers have told him the system is quicker to install than traditional fencing, cheaper overall taking into account time and savings on staples and insulators, and quicker to repair.

For more information, or to register an interest in the Easy Batten System, email styx.solutions@gmail.com