NQ Dry Tropics has been awarded a grant through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) Longterm Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices (LTT) Program, to complete a five-year trial testing the efficacy of drought resilient grazing strategies in the Burdekin region.
Taking place at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ (DAF) Spyglass Beef Research Facility, this trial is the only Northern Australian trial, utilising virtual fencing systems in remote environments, that will shape and promote wider adoption.
The predominate virtual fencing system used by this study will be the Gallagher eShepherd Virtual Fencing System, pioneered by CSIRO.
Using the Gallagher eShepherd System, the herd will be monitor in real time, using both desktop and mobile applications, with the farmers able to instantly modify boundaries for any reason, including to lower stress drafting, directing high need cattle to better pastures, or to protect areas of land vulnerable to erosion.
The System was initially tested in 2023, with cattle first observed for their behaviours with the device, to ensure the technology has minimal behaviour and welfare impacts on the animals, with this new trial expanding to test efficacy in improving drought resilience capacity.
“Virtual fencing has unparalleled potential to drastically change the impact of grazing,” explained Marc McConnell, a DAF representative.
“My hope is the trial will demonstrate how the technology allows graziers to move fences and herds to promote healthier pastures and boost carbon sequestration by preventing overgrazing, while saving them time and money,”
1. Cattle in the Spyglass Station trial wearing the Gallagher eShepherd collars
2. The tracking for one individual shows how quickly the animal learns the meaning of warning sound emitted as it approaches the virtual fencing. This animal received two small shocks, after which it paid attention to the alarm on seven occasions. Photo supplied
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2023 Burdekin Life Pty Ltd.
