Virtual Fencing: Revolutionizing Cattle Management in Australia
Supplied: Halter
In a groundbreaking shift for Australian agriculture, virtual fencing technology, initially commercialized by the CSIRO a decade ago, is paving the way for a new era in livestock management. While the adoption of this innovation has been slow due to legal restrictions, changes are on the horizon.
Current Landscape of Virtual Fencing in Australia
At present, two primary providers dominate the Australian market for virtual fencing: Halter and Gallagher’s eShepherd. However, legal frameworks currently only permit these technologies in the states of Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, with Western Australia allowing only the eShepherd brand. Notably, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia have committed to revising their laws to embrace this technology.
Pioneering Success: Tom Coggan’s Experience
Tom Coggan, a beef producer from Queensland’s Western Downs, became the first on mainland Australia to implement Halter’s cattle collars on his family’s mixed farming property. His motivation? Enhanced land utilization.
“Our property has many water courses and has endured significant flooding over the past five years. Traditional fencing would require constant repairs, but with virtual fencing, we can immediately utilize our land without those concerns,” he expressed. The collars empower him to manage his grazing patterns with zero labor input.
Coggan is currently utilizing 670 collars, facilitating his herd’s expansion from 600 to 670 cows, and projecting growth to 1,000. He highlighted that the initial investment for the collars, which include a setup tower and a monthly fee, has paid off through increased productivity and reduced maintenance costs.
Supplied: Halter
Mr. Coggan also emphasized that the collars’ effectiveness allowed him to remove old, dilapidated fences, thereby enhancing the condition of both his cattle and lands. “We’re actively planning to expand economically by purchasing more land, but effective land utilization is paramount,” he noted.
Understanding Virtual Fencing Technology
The concept of virtual fencing serves as an alternative or supplement to traditional fencing. Users like Halter and eShepherd recommend maintaining conventional boundary fences for optimal results. These collars utilize audible alarms that signal to cattle as they approach a virtual fence, with vibrations intensifying as they approach the boundary.
Supplied: Halter
According to Brent Thomas, Director of Strategic Relations at Halter, the collars drastically improve animal welfare and farm management efficiency. They enable producers to monitor the health and location of their livestock continuously and assist in environmental conservation by preventing livestock from accessing sensitive areas.
Connectivity Advancements Driving Adoption
The other major player, eShepherd, has reported a surge in virtual fencing adoption, especially in Western Australia, where farmers aim to integrate cattle into large cropping operations without incurring the cost of traditional fencing. Mark Dempsey, their Australian Business Development Manager, noted the benefits of utilizing Starlink for connectivity, allowing mobile base stations to enhance operational flexibility on leased lands.
Supplied: eShepherd
Profitability has been significantly enhanced with eShepherd solutions. Farmers like Kent Rochester have reported remarkable results, including improved cattle weight gain from 1.2kg to 2.2kg per head per day through more intensive grazing management.
Addressing Animal Welfare Concerns
With great innovation comes responsibility. Currently, a Federal Government Animal Welfare Task Group is scrutinizing the ethical implications surrounding virtual fencing technology. The RSPCA has raised concerns about electric shock-induced discomfort and potential long-term impacts on animal welfare.
The guiding principles emphasize the necessity for regulations to ensure animal safety and compliance. Stringent oversight could mitigate risks associated with equipment malfunctions or misuse, ensuring better practices within this evolving sector.
Legislative Changes on the Horizon
States are actively working to update legislative frameworks to accommodate virtual fencing technology. Notable efforts include:
- New South Wales: Upcoming regulations are aimed to ensure animal welfare and public safety, with implementation anticipated within months.
- Victoria: New regulations to facilitate virtual fencing are expected to arrive by the end of 2025.
- South Australia: A commitment has been made to regulate virtual fencing specifically for cattle management.
As the landscape of agricultural technology continues to evolve, virtual fencing holds promise for enhancing productivity and sustainability in livestock management across Australia.
