Invited paper Virtual Fencing – A path to precision livestock farming

Abstract

Gallagher Animal Management, a privately owned New Zealand company with more than 86 years of global experience, continues to drive innovation in animal management. Its latest advancement, eShepherd, illustrates how “Virtual Fencing – A Path to Precision Livestock Farming” is reshaping agricultural practices. Precision Agriculture has been a guiding theme for decades, yet the constant pace of technological change ensures that the pursuit of true precision will never fully conclude. The challenge lies in adoption. Farmers and ranchers, often cautious decision-makers with limited budgets, evaluate innovations carefully. While some technologies never move beyond early experimentation, virtual fencing is gaining traction among forward-looking producers who recognize its ability to solve pressing operational challenges. eShepherd, Gallagher’s solar-powered, GPS-enabled livestock management system, enables farmers to fence, track, and move cattle remotely with ease. This technology provides solutions to issues such as labour shortages, fencing costs, animal welfare, security, environmental protection, and fire management. Far from being disruptive in a negative sense, virtual fencing has arrived as a supportive tool at exactly the right time. The return on investment extends beyond simple economics. Benefits include improved efficiency by reallocating labour, reduced time and fuel use, enhanced pasture utilization, increased herd production, and earlier detection of animal health or security issues. Importantly, it also contributes to farmer wellbeing by reducing stress, saving time, and creating opportunities for greater family engagement while supporting regulatory and reporting needs. Looking forward, virtual fencing is set to become one component of a larger ecosystem of connected technologies. These include water monitoring, pasture and grazing management, remote weighing systems, drones, environmental sensors, and predictive analytics for animal health and productivity. Together, they will define the next generation of precision livestock farming, advancing both sustainability and profitability in global agriculture.