POTENTIALLY transformational research on virtual fencing for sheep will begin this year in New South Wales.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce last week announced a $299,314 grant to CSIRO to accelerate development of a ‘virtual fence’ system for weed control using sheep.

The research will initially trial collars that notify sheep they are approaching a GPS-plotted virtual fence with an audible warning followed by a mild shock if they ignore it and continue toward the fenceline.

Principal CSIRO research scientist Dr David Henry said the research is potentially transformational because even though it will study the ability to control grazing sheep for the purpose of weed management, its value would be the same for grazing and pasture management for production or for stubble control.

“Theoretically it is transformational because it reduces or largely eliminates the need for ongoing labour to move or manage grazing sheep.”

Dr Henry said virtual fencing for sheep might eventually involve miniaturisation of technology onto an ear tag, but the project would initially focus on using neck collars. Trials starting on New South Wales farms this year will hopefully determine if the technology can constrain sheep to a particular area or keep sheep out of an area and be able to manage weeds.

“And if so how do we get this out in industry so that sheep farmers can take advantage of the technology?”

Dr Henry said the big issues with using the collars on sheep are the effect on skin contact due to the wool and the technology’s “price point” or equipment cost.

“What would the price point be for a bit of kit that a sheep farmer would be willing to pay for?

“It has got to go to an ear tag in the future, but there is a fundamental question as to whether sheep will respond in the right way to the technology – whether it is an ear tag or collar,” he said.

“If they don’t respond to the technology, it doesn’t matter whether it is a collar or an ear tag.”

“At the moment collars, but the long-term strategy would be to somehow get it miniaturised and cheap enough to put into an ear tag.”

Dr Henry said researchers needed to find out if sheep responded to the audio signal, thus negating the need for the electrical “disencouragement.”

Project could increase area to benefit from virtual fencing

Mr Joyce said the project was part of the government’s $50 million investment over four years in the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, helping farmers and their communities to better manage established pest animals and weeds.

“Grazing management is a proven tool for reducing the impact of common weeds on agricultural production and ecosystems.

“However, it only works if farmers can target the right area in a paddock at the right time,” he said.

“With this technology, the sheep wear collars which contain them in a ‘virtual fence’ area, which is set by the farmer.

“If the trials show real potential, this project could significantly increase the area of Australia that can benefit from virtual fence technology.”

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton welcomed the government’s action on pests and weeds.

“Every year pest animals and weeds cost our farmers about $4 billion through control tools and lost production,” Mr Coulton said.

“We want our farmers and land managers to be ahead of the game.

“Improving and finding new ways to manage pest animals and weeds and ensuring people can access those tools as soon as possible is critical to driving greater returns through the farmgate,” he said.

To find out more about established pest animals and weeds funding, visit agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds. To find out more about the Ag White Paper’s key measures visit agwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au

Sources: CSIRO, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources.