Harnessing GPS Technology for Sustainable Grazing Management in Mixed Farming
A new CSIRO research publication explores how GPS-enabled virtual fencing could help farmers manage grazing, crops, and groundcover with greater precision.
Cattle fitted with GPS-enabled virtual fencing collars graze within a defined area of a cropping paddock, demonstrating how digital boundaries can control grazing without physical fences. Previously grazed blocks are clearly evident at right. Image: GRDC.
The Evolution of Grazing Management
On mixed cropping farms, grazing decisions rarely remain static. Factors like crop damage, shifting soil conditions, and seasonal risks often compel farmers to adapt, sometimes with little notice. Virtual fencing utilizes GPS technology to create digital boundaries, guiding livestock through audio cues and behavioral reinforcement instead of traditional physical fences.
Research Insights
“More than half of Australian grain growers integrate livestock into their operations—primarily sheep, but also cattle,” explained Dr. Rick Llewellyn, a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO. “This has created a significant demand for precision grazing technologies like virtual fencing, particularly within large cropping paddocks.”
The growing adoption of virtual fencing across Australia is supported by recent regulatory changes in several states, including New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. However, previous research primarily focused on pasture-based systems.
Innovative Applications in Dual-Purpose Cropping
The study, funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australian Wool Innovation, and CSIRO, seeks to examine how virtual fencing can be effectively integrated within dynamic cropping paddocks. Can the technology provide the same level of control in these more complex environments?
Pioneering Case Studies
The research represents one of the first initiatives to test virtual fencing in commercial mixed farming operations. The study involved three case studies in South Australia, utilizing pre-commercial eShepherd virtual fencing to control grazing within active cropping paddocks.
Flexible Management Strategies
“The boundaries weren’t static,” shared Jackie Ouzman, a Senior Research Technician at CSIRO. “We transitioned from simple fencing to more complex, contoured boundaries, illustrating that both technology and livestock can handle this complexity.”
Adapting to Virtual Boundaries
Cattle quickly adapted to the virtual fencing system, with 95% of boundary interactions involving only the audio cue, demonstrating their learning curve. “They’re associating the sound with the boundary and modifying their behavior accordingly,” noted Dr. Caroline Lee, another Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO.
Harvesting Benefits for Groundcover and Pasture
While cattle containment was consistently successful, grazing outcomes varied across different sites. “Virtual fencing provides enhanced control, but the actual impact on crop or pasture outcomes depends on how it is implemented,” explained Dr. Llewellyn.
Broader Implications for the Future
The research holds promising implications for the sheep sector, which remains dominant in many mixed farming regions. If affordable virtual fencing technologies can be developed for sheep, similar benefits may be realized.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking research validates where virtual fencing technology thrives and where it encounters challenges, paving the way for future developments and applications in mixed farming. With recent regulatory support, the potential for enhanced grazing management in Australian agriculture is more significant than ever.
Further reading: Explore how virtual fencing is reshaping grazing management
Source: CSIRO
