Virtual fencing (VF) remotely manages livestock grazing using GPS-enabled collars that communicate the location of boundaries to animals. This technology has been demonstrated in cattle, with commercial use occurring in Tasmania and Queensland. VF is of particular interest for livestock management in rangeland environments where property size and topography can reduce the economic viability of installing new fencing infrastructure. This research aimed to assess VF as a tool to facilitate rest-based grazing and aid mustering in an extensive beef grazing system. A trial involving 100 mixed breed heifers was undertaken at Wintinna Station (via Coober Pedy) in South Australia from April – October 2023. During the trial, the cattle were trained to a commercial VF system. A range of inclusion zones were established in different areas of a 4,500ha paddock with a central dam. Cattle were successfully contained by the VF system and grazed with in each new inclusion zone once activated. The VF system was also used to aid in mustering the trial paddock. A virtual laneway 1km in width was activated 24 hours prior to scheduled mustering and all 100 cattle were contained within it. The following day the laneway was deactivated, and the paddock was mustered by two motorbikes in approximately three hours with no requirement for aircraft. The GPS tracking function of the technology enabled all animals to be accounted for. The results of this trial indicate that VF can facilitate rest-based grazing practices within extensive beef grazing systems. VF's use as a tool to aid in mustering cattle was also demonstrated. With further development and reduced regulatory constraints, VF could have a significant impact on the way that rangelands are managed into the future.
Get reliable rangeland science
Toggle Search