Celebrating Skill at the Tornado Wire Fencing Competition
The AFI was delighted to once again support the Tornado Wire Fencing Competition at the NSA Sheep Event, held on 28 July, where we had the pleasure of judging the competition and meeting visitors from across the agricultural fencing industry at our AFI stand.
The standard of fencing on display was exceptional, with competitors demonstrating impressive levels of skill, teamwork and professionalism throughout the day. Events such as these provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase the expertise that exists within our industry while encouraging the next generation of fencing contractors.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
1st Place – Dragon Fencing with HVB Fencing
2nd Place – Jeff Joines & WW Fencing (New Zealand)
3rd Place – PDR Contracting & SRM Fencing
A huge congratulations also goes to every team that took part. Competing under pressure takes commitment, confidence and a high level of skill, and everyone involved should be extremely proud of their efforts.
The AFI would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the judging team, whose time, expertise and dedication ensured the competition was judged fairly and professionally. Your support is greatly appreciated and plays an important role in making events like this such a success.
Finally, we’d like to thank Tornado Wire and the NSA for organising another excellent competition and providing a platform to celebrate the skills and professionalism of the fencing industry.
We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2028!
Five Reasons to Enter the UK Fencing Awards Today
With just a few weeks remaining before entries close, now is the perfect time to submit your entry for the 2026 UK Fencing Awards.
Still deciding whether to enter? Here are five great reasons to get involved.
1. Celebrate Your Team
Every successful project is the result of hard work, skill and dedication. Entering the awards is a fantastic way to recognise the efforts of your team and celebrate everything you’ve achieved together.
2. Raise Your Business Profile
Being shortlisted—or even better, winning—demonstrates the quality of your work and can help build confidence with existing and prospective customers.
3. Gain Industry Recognition
The UK Fencing Awards are judged by an independent panel of experienced industry professionals alongside category sponsors, giving entrants the opportunity to have their work recognised by respected experts.
4. Celebrate with the Industry
Join colleagues, customers, suppliers and friends from across the fencing sector on 12th November at Old Traffordfor an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, with special guest speaker Sir Geoff Hurst.
5. You’ve Already Done the Hard Work
The projects are complete.
The apprentice has been trained.
The success has already happened.
Now all that’s left is telling us about it.
Whether you’re entering one of our contractor categories, Project of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, the new Women in Fencing award or nominating someone for the Lifetime Achievement Award, don’t miss your opportunity to be recognised.
Click here and submit your application today.
2026 Capital Grants
A new post, “Capital Grants 2026 now open” has just been published on the Farming blog.
This is a short post to let you know that the 2026 Capital Grants offer is now open for applications.
Read the new post: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/30/capital-grants-2026-now-open/
FenceX 2027 Builds on the Success of a Record-Breaking 2025
The success of FenceX 2025 continues to drive strong interest in the next exhibition, with exhibitors already securing their place for FenceX 2027.
Returning to NAEC Stoneleigh on Thursday 23 September 2027, FenceX has become the UK’s leading exhibition dedicated exclusively to the fencing and perimeter security industry.
The 2025 event welcomed more exhibitors than ever before and record numbers of visitors, creating a vibrant environment for networking, product launches, live demonstrations and business development.
Building on that momentum, the Association of Fencing Industries (AFI) is already planning another outstanding event, with returning features, new opportunities for exhibitors and a continued focus on bringing the industry together.
Why Businesses Continue to Choose FenceX
FenceX offers exhibitors the opportunity to:
- Meet a highly targeted audience from across the fencing industry
- Launch new products and services
- Build relationships with customers and suppliers
- Generate quality sales leads
- Raise brand awareness within the sector
To make exhibiting even more accessible, businesses can currently take advantage of the Early Bird Booking Scheme, allowing indoor stands to be secured with just a 10% deposit.
Whether you’re a returning exhibitor or considering FenceX for the first time, now is the ideal time to start planning your participation.
For more information, stand availability or to request a floorplan, contact fencex@theafi.co.uk.
FenceX 2027 – Bringing the Industry Together.
From NSA Sheep to Kirkley Hall – Join Us This October
Thank you to everyone who visited the AFI at NSA Sheep Event. It was fantastic to meet so many members, contractors and industry colleagues and discuss the latest developments in agricultural fencing.
If you’re looking to build on what you saw at the event, why not join us at the AFI & AFA Autumn Best Practice Day on Thursday 15th October?
Held at Northumberland College – Kirkley Hall Campus, the Best Practice Day is a hands-on event designed to help fencing professionals develop practical skills, discover new products and techniques, and learn from experienced contractors and industry experts.
For just £15, your ticket includes breakfast, lunch and refreshments, along with access to a full programme of demonstrations, workshops and networking opportunities.
- 15th October
- Kirkley Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne
Book your place today
Member Benefit Spotlight: Run Your Business More Efficiently with WorXflo
Did you know?
WorXflo combines CRM, job scheduling, HR, document management, invoicing and more in a single platform, so you don’t need multiple separate systems to manage your business
From enquiries and quotations to scheduling jobs, managing staff and sending invoices, running a fencing business can involve just as much administration as it does time on site.
That’s where WorXflo can help.
Designed specifically for field service businesses, WorXflo brings your day-to-day operations together in one easy-to-use platform, helping you spend less time on paperwork and more time running your business.
Your AFI Member Benefit
With WorXflo you can:
- Manage customer enquiries and quotations in one place
- Schedule jobs and allocate work to your teams
- Track progress in real time, whether you’re in the office or out on site
- Store documents, photos and customer information securely
- Generate invoices quickly and connect with accounting software including Xero, Sage, QuickBooks and FreeAgent.
Whether you’re a sole trader looking to streamline your workload or a growing business managing multiple teams, WorXflo is designed to help you work smarter, reduce admin and improve efficiency.
Log in to the members area of the AFI website to discover how WorXflo could help simplify your business and to arrange a demonstration,
Helping you get more from your AFI membership