Technology removes boundaries to virtual fencing
Like much of remote Northern Australia, the Department of Primary Industry’s Spyglass Beef Research Facility north of Charters Towers has no mobile phone coverage, meaning virtual fencing systems requiring network access couldn’t be used as a tool for improving grazing efficiency, cattle production and land condition.
The trial of the Gallagher eShepherd Virtual Fencing System,would not be possible without the availability of satellite internet Starlink.
Two base station sites were selected to ensure maximum possible paddock coverage.
These will use Starlink wifi to transmit the coordinates of a virtual paddock boundary to a herd of cattle fitted with solar powered, GPS enabled, eShepherd virtual fencing neckbands.
The herd will be monitored in real time using a desktop and mobile program, with virtual paddock boundaries instantly modified for a variety of purposes, such as lower-stress drafting, directing high-needs cattle class to better pasture, or protecting areas of land vulnerable to erosion.
The Starlink system comprises a pair of 200ah 12v lithium deep-cycle batteries, two 175w solar panels, and a monitoring system to check on battery and system performance. The system was designed to be able to handle persistent worst case scenario loads and environmental conditions over long periods.
It is hoped the trial will provide future users with a clear idea of minimum system requirements.
The Long Term Virtual Fencing project is funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
