It’s no more than a line on the map but cattle respect the invisible fence it represents
A virtual fence is an invisible fence — a line in the landscape that can be created on a digital map using GPS technology.
The technology manages grazing cattle behind a ‘virtual boundary’ or that has been set via GPS by using audio and electrical cues, rather than physical fencing.
Pre-trial testing was carried out to ensure the technology is working, and to familiarise project staff and a small herd of cattle with the invisible fence system to ensure it’s running smoothly before the trial kicked off.
An important first step was to ensure the technology had minimal impact on livestock behaviour and welfare, while effectively containing them to a prescribed area.
Cattle need to learn to interact with a virtual or invisible fence.
The first test was completed in November in 2023 and involved a small herd of 50 cattle to see how livestock interacted with a virtual fence. Since then, a range of testing and training programs have continued to put the technology through its paces before the trial was expanded.
This included observing how they responded to the collars audio and electrical stimuli.
Once an animal recognises that beep indicates the boundary, it’s similar to the principles of a normal electric fence, except there is an audio barrier rather than a visual, physical one. Collars produce an electrical cue to an animal if it’s too close to a virtual fenceline.
The initial test in the Virtually Fence Free project showed cattle wearing the eShepherd collars were quick to learn to interact with a virtual fence – after several interactions, over a day or two.
Getting the collar right
Four different neck band collars were tested on 70 cattle to ensure the most suitable collar types were identified for long-term use and throughout the life of the five-year trial.
The pre-test provided further opportunity to train cattle on the virtual fencing system and allow for additional observations of cattle behaviour.
Using the new tool
The potential uses of virtual fencing are many and varied:
- movement of stock for precise and automated grazing allocations;
- temporary or permanent exclusion of cattle from specific locations; and
- management of several mobs of cattle.
These applications can contribute positively to the sustainability and profitability of the northern beef industry by:
contributing to environment stewardship through the exclusion of livestock from waterways and sensitive areas .
improving livestock health through better controlled pasture-based nutrition;
enhancing animal productivity and efficiencies by controlling livestock movement at a sub-herd level;
optimising the quantity and quality of homegrown feed-base without increased inputs
The Long Term Trial is funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
