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Virtual fencing technology that allows farmers to move cattle and manage grazing from their smartphones was demonstrated at a Beef + Lamb NZ field day in Kaipara Flats recently.
Farmers Cory and Jen Argyle hosted the event, sharing their experience of adopting Halter’s virtual fencing system just two months ago.
The technology uses GPS-enabled collars worn by cattle to keep them within designated grazing areas without the need for physical fences. Farmers use a smartphone app to set and adjust boundaries, while the collars use sound and vibration cues to guide animals.
Halter northern territory manager Steven Black said one of the system’s biggest advantages was the ability to establish fences anywhere on a farm.
“It helps farmers make more informed decisions about how they move their livestock, with the aim of maximising production, saving time and making it easier to get the most out of what they have available,” he said.
By moving virtual boundaries, farmers can control which areas cattle can access, allowing for more flexible grazing and pasture management.
Beef + Lamb NZ manager Alison Whiteford said the technology had gained considerable traction in Northland’s beef sector over the past 18 months. Halter also works with dairy farmers.
The cost of the system depends on each farm’s specific needs, including the number of cattle, whether the farm requires connection towers or can operate directly via satellite using Starlink, and which product features it wishes to use, with different packages available for both beef and dairy farming.
Halter says in broad terms, a 500-cow farm requiring 50km of physical fencing could expect to pay upwards of $500,000, depreciated over 30 years, compared to about $50,000 per year with Halter (depending on their package), where virtual fencing becomes unlimited.
Cory and Jen moved to their Kaipara Flats property four years ago. Cory said the technology was already making a significant difference to the farm operation.
“Pasture management is much better. The animals are quiet because we’re not constantly chasing them and I suspect we’ll be able to increase our stock numbers.”
However, the couple stressed that properly training cattle to respond to the collars was essential. They advised farmers considering the system to carefully follow Halter’s training process and instructions.
