LEADING THE WAY: EXPLORING VIRTUAL FENCING TECHNOLOGY ON FARM

Nathalia Pamplona Barboza
Jul 1
3 min read

By Nathalia P. Barboza, TRAC Ruminant Productivity Consultant

At TRAC, we are committed to helping producers stay at the forefront of emerging technologies that have the potential to improve productivity, efficiency and profitability across livestock enterprises. As innovation continues to shape the future of farming, field days provide an important opportunity for producers to see new systems in action, ask practical questions and learn directly from those already adopting them on farm.

On Thursday, 11 June, the TRAC team partnered with Halter to host a Virtual Fencing Field Day at the property of the Tindall family. The Tindall family manages both dairy and beef enterprises and has recently implemented the Halter virtual fencing system as part of their day-to-day farm operations.

As an early adopter of the technology, the Tindall family generously opened their property to the group and shared their experience with implementing the system. Including the opportunities it has created, the challenges involved and the practical considerations for producers considering a similar investment.

The purpose of the day was to give other producers the opportunity to see virtual fencing operating in a real-world farming environment and gain a better understanding of how it may be incorporated into dairy and beef production systems. The smaller group format encouraged open discussion, allowing attendees to ask detailed questions and gain practical insights directly from the Tindall Family, the TRAC team and the Halter team.

Discussion throughout the day focused on how virtual fencing can support labour efficiency, grazing flexibility and improved access to real-time livestock and pasture information. Attendees explored topics including grazing management, infrastructure requirements, animal adaptation, data collection, activity and behavioural monitoring, and the practical steps involved in introducing the technology into an existing farming system.

One of the key drivers behind the Tindall family’s decision to adopt virtual fencing was the opportunity to improve labour efficiency. Like many producers, sourcing and retaining labour remains an ongoing challenge. Prior to implementation, a significant amount of time was spent moving cattle between paddocks and the dairy each day, alongside the ongoing costs associated with vehicle operation and maintenance.

The field day also highlighted the potential of virtual fencing as a grazing management tool. The ability to remotely allocate grazing areas provides producers with greater flexibility to manage grazing pressure, improve pasture utilisation and develop more responsive grazing plans without relying solely on additional physical fencing. This may also create opportunities to better utilise areas of a property that are difficult or costly to fence conventionally.

While the benefits are promising, it was also acknowledged that virtual fencing will not be suited to every enterprise. Capital investment, property layout, terrain, infrastructure requirements and livestock suitability all need to be carefully considered. The Tindall family and the Halter team also discussed the importance of animal training and adaptation, noting that while most animals adjust well to the collars and system, some individuals may require additional management during the transition period.

Virtual fencing remains a relatively new technology across South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, but interest is continuing to grow as producers look for practical ways to address labour constraints, improve grazing management and make more informed decisions on farm.

TRAC thanks the Tindall family for opening their property and sharing their experience so openly, the Halter team for providing their knowledge and support, and all clients and industry participants who attended the day. As adoption of new technologies continues to evolve, TRAC looks forward to providing further opportunities for producers to explore innovation in a practical, farm-focused setting.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk with one of our TRAC Ruminant Experts on 08 8733 1888 or email us at info@totalresult.com.au.