THERE ARE few things more annoying for a stockfarmer than an electric fence than shorts out. Keeping fence-lines free of plant growth can help but often it”s the posts themselves that create the problem.

A good insulator is the key, according to electric fencing specialist Gallagher. The company claims that its XDI insulator is one of the cheapest on the market and is stronger than all other screw-in eyes thanks to its continuous metal core.

Designed to replace older nail-in insulators, the XDI is available in bags of either 25 costing 5.80 or 125 at a price of 26.20 (0870 201 0101 or www.gallagher.co.uk).