As the 20-year milestone for Jolt Fencing approaches, we take a walk down memory lane and explore some of the reasons why this brand is a first choice for many farmers and contractors throughout the nation.
Early beginnings.
Jolt Fencing is exclusively owned and sold through FarmShop and there are several ways to shop the range, including Jolt’s dedicated website, the FarmShop store on SH1 Kaiwaka, and online at farmshop.co.nz.
What many are surprised to learn is that FarmShop purchased Jolt in 2019 off the cattle yard champions; Te Pari. But if we etch back further, the brand was founded in 2006 by a Northland businessman.
Jolt fences the gap.
Murray developed Jolt because he recognised a gap for another entrant in a market that was dominated by Gallagher and Tru-Test at the time. The catchphrase of ‘electric fencing made easier’ reflected the reinvention of the fibreglass rod for temporary fencing. Fibreglass rods had always been a tried-and-true product in the horticultural industry for staking plants. Using rods in a fencing context made ‘no.8 wire’ good sense!
Today, the ‘why’ for selling fencing gear is not too dissimilar to Murray’s. For the team at FarmShop, selling Jolt products alongside its agricultural machinery is another way to action its mission statement “to maximise customer’s farm yields, profitability and value.” Farm machinery sales keep the wheels turning, but the unsung heroes like fencing gear are critical for helping farmers succeed on their land.
Hunt global - sell local.
Many of the Jolt supplies are directly imported to offer the best possible value for money. The same supplier has stood by FarmShop’s mission for more than 15 years and the team have visited their factory abroad. Together they share an excellent working relationship; turnaround is fast, and the supplier is quick to embrace product improvements to suit the New Zealand market, along with marketing initiatives.
Value for money.
Fencing gear is bulky and weighty, so the priority is to minimise the handling of the product line before it reaches FarmShop. When planned strategically, freight movements are reduced by up to five times and these savings are passed on to customers as part of its lean ‘factory-to-farm’ business model.
Customers are also encouraged to buy in bulk for significant discounts, with neighbours often banding together to enjoy compelling savings and a one-off freight charge.
Trusted by farmers.
Ultimately, the best judge of product quality comes from customers. The gear is trusted to perform and last, and many say they wish they’d heard of Jolt sooner.
"The quality of these gates is good, the galvanising is very well done, and the bars are 8mm, other sheep and cattle gates can get pretty light, but these have a bit of guts to them. They are easy to hang and get them level and setup. The chain is nice and long leaving plenty of room to get it where you want it." DES SIMPKIN - Northland Farmer
Stock certainty is important to customers, so at all times farmers can expect healthy levels of farm gates, fencing reels, wire and tapes, to fibreglass rods and standards, to gate hardware, insulators, spades and shovels, and even culverts for drainage.
Why leave the land?
Farmers and contractors have embraced online shopping for their fencing supplies. The ease of buying direct from mobiles or desktops has seen a real upward surge throughout NZ, especially in Northland and the Waikato.
The cost of fuel (and time) to reach a farm supply store is usually outweighed by bundling together a big order and paying freight less often. Customers trust FarmShop to get fencing gear on farm quickly – so the online shopping trend continues to grow.
No one wants to wait for fencing gear. Which is why FarmShop also promises same-day despatch for orders placed by 3pm. On set days, delivery is free to farm gates within Northland. Again, why leave home when the effort can be done for you.
Cell farming for profitability.
Dividing paddocks quickly e.g. Cell Farming is an excellent solution for creating small grazing blocks or fencing off waterways from livestock. Cell farming can boost productivity immensely, with smarter grazing and maximum yield from pasture e.g., 1-day feed cycles can be a game changer. Running more animals per hectare has a direct impact on profitability, up to 60 percent in many cases.
When it comes to cell or mobile fencing, Jolt pigtails or fibreglass rods as standards, along with polywire or electric fence tape are the must-haves.
Jolt in numbers.
Since early August 2024, over 4.6 million metres of Jolt Wire has been sold - about the same as walking the length of the Great Wall of China, twice. More than 2.2 million metres of Polywire has sold, which is roughly the equivalent of traveling from the North Pole to the Equator and back again! Plus, 698,943 Fibreglass Rods sold and 110,547 Insulator Claws.
Jolt piggies in ‘Wild’ places.
Check out the shot here of Jolt Pigtails used as course markers for the off-track ‘The Wild Adventure Race’ in Arrowtown, Otago. 130kg of piggies were choppered onto the high ridges for course marking.
Shop with confidence.
The Jolt fencing range performs in NZ’s harshest farming conditions – even the wildest mountaintops. Please contact the team for advice on the best fencing gear to suit your requirements.
Jolt - wired for success since 2006!