Spotlight on: Innovative grazing on Salisbury Plain

James Waight runs a seventh-generation family farm in Wiltshire, managing 450 breeding Aberdeen Angus cattle on an 8,000-acre estate.

The land, located on Salisbury Plain, isn’t just farmland, it’s also a Ministry of Defence (MOD) training area, a protected conservation site, and home to some of the rarest grassland habitats in Europe.

Balancing livestock management, military operations, and environmental stewardship has always been a challenge. But together with Nofence, James found a way to make it work.

Grazing without boundaries

Grazing cattle on a live-firing range presents risks that few farmers ever have to consider.

Temporary electric fences were the only viable option in the past, but they were far from reliable.

Wires were often broken by deer, leading to costly escapes and safety concerns.

Moving cattle around the training schedule was a logistical headache, and setting up fences across the rugged chalk grassland took up valuable time and labour.

“Nofence has completely changed how we operate. Historically, we spent hours putting up and repairing electric fences. Now, I can adjust grazing areas remotely,” he adds. 

Since adopting Nofence five years ago, James has been able to manage his herd with far greater precision, keeping cattle safe while ensuring the land is grazed at the right times.

The ability to track the herd in real-time has also been a game-changer for livestock health and welfare.

More time, less labour

With fewer fences to install and patrol, James has drastically reduced the time spent on infrastructure maintenance. “We’ve saved half a labour unit because we no longer spend time setting up and patrolling fences.”

Instead of constantly chasing fence repairs, James says he and his team can now focus on herd planning, conservation efforts, and family life.

The reduced need for vehicle patrols has also cut wear and tear on farm equipment, further driving down costs.

Conservation and fire prevention

Salisbury Plain is a haven for rare wildlife, including the marsh fritillary butterfly, which depends on carefully grazed grasslands to thrive.

With Nofence, James can fine-tune his grazing strategy to support conservation efforts, creating corridors that allow delicate plant species to flourish without being smothered by dominant grasses.

“It’s so much more flexible now. Before, there were areas we simply couldn’t graze because getting a fence up was too tricky. Now, we can adapt on the go.”

Grazing also plays a crucial role in wildfire prevention. Dry grass is a major fire risk, especially in areas where live ammunition is used.

By strategically rotating cattle, James is actively reducing the fuel load, lowering the risk of uncontrolled fires while maintaining the health of the landscape.

Decision paid off

James says he didn’t start using Nofence just for the novelty, he chose it because it truly solved a challenge he was facing.

It eliminated the frustration of unreliable fencing, improved livestock safety, and gave him greater control over his land. Looking back, he feels confident it was the right choice for him.

“The best thing we ever did. Our operation is more efficient, our cattle are safer, and we have more control than ever before.”

For James, virtual fencing isn’t just about making life easier, it’s about making farming more efficient.

And on Salisbury Plain, where every decision impacts both the military and the environment, that’s exactly what’s needed.

For more information, visit the Nofence website.

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