Strange Fencing - Horizontal?

Nearly Scotland, just 5 miles away. We are staying at Metal Bridge,  next to the River Esk, the M6, and the main railway line to Glasgow. But it is Day 1 of our trip and the sun has shone.

We tried to walk along the river but were diverted inland, and came across a very strange fence. Very sturdy but with about a yard of fencing at the base that was laid horizontally on the ground.  We could not work out what it was for.  
Even stranger were the gaps in the fence for no identifiable reason, as shown in my Blip.  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

I took a few more shots including the Extra of a ploughed field with furrows going in three directions. We are guessing potatoes from the depth, but we are not country folk so have no real idea what will be grown. Very neatly ploughed though!