A possible alternative is to use plain wire as the top strand on insulated keepers and use a portable electric fence charger as and when the site is being grazed?
I'm with you on this one AR, we prefer electric as it prevents damage to udders when they do jump. However, our main unit is driven from the mains and is safely indoors, the problem with portable units is that they are, well, 'portable', I know many of my neighbours are out of pocket by a significant amount through 'loss' of expensive batteries left in remote areas.
'Safe', lockable enclosures are available for units and batteries, but barbed wire is cheaper and doesn't need checking so often.
I also wonder about differentiating between an electric shock or a scratch from barb in a risk assessment? (bleeding vs. pacemaker?) :confused:
Stiil :offtopic: but may be useful for Roy 😉
Always remember, nature is in charge, get it wrong and it is you who suffers!.