Sutton beef producer, Mack Davis, right, tried on the Halter P5 virtual fencing halter at Wagga’s first beef and lamb school, with the help of Halter representative Matt Narracott, left, and Eugowra producer Will Seyffer.

THE first virtual fencing technology has been approved for use in Victoria and an application from a second company is being processed, the State Government announced today.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced that the Halter’s P5 electronic collar system is the first to be approved in Victoria for virtual fencing, making easier and safer for farmers to raise cattle with the new technology.

The government said the technology will help farmers to save on the cost of building and maintaining cattle fencing through smart, real-time technology.

The government said Halter’s P5 system features a collar connected to an app, allowing farmers to virtually fence, move and monitor wellbeing of their cows while receiving real-time insights into animal health and pasture conditions.

Farmers can virtually fence around waterways and sensitive land or vegetation, while still allowing native animals to access them, promoting faster pasture recovery, healthier riparian zones and reduced reliance on fertiliser.

The technology has been approved following rigorous animal welfare testing at the Ellinbank SmartFarm. This will create over 70 new jobs, working directly with cattle farmers to install this technology, the government said.

Approvals are reliant on accurate record keeping and reporting, use of approved technology, training provided by the manufacturer, maintaining physical boundary fences or barriers and ensuring collars are checked regularly.

The government said the Halter technology is now available for purchase, with other Victorian manufacturers encouraged to apply so that more virtual fencing technology can be approved. A second application is currently being considered. Sheep Central understands Gallagher has also made an application to the government for approval for its eShepherd technology.

Electronic collars for livestock species other than cattle can only be used when a scientific licence has been granted under the POCTA Act, and the use is approved by an Animal Ethics Committees.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence said the government is making it easier for farmers to care for their herds and to deliver high quality beef and dairy produce to Victorian families.

“This is approval makes sure Victorian farmers have access to the latest innovative technology.”

Halter founder and chief executive Craig Piggott said the approval marks an exciting day for Victorian farmers, who can now access world-leading virtual fencing and herding technology for dairy and beef.

“We’re really grateful to Minister Spence and the Victorian Government.

“This is obviously an exciting change, and I think this shows their support of agriculture and the sector – so we’re excited to get going.”