Enhancing the profitability and productivity of livestock farming through virtual herding technology

Summary

This Rural R&D for Profit Program project was designed to evaluate the application of virtual herding (VH) technology across livestock production systems and examine animal responses to various cues and stimuli to improve productivity and profitability.

The concept is based on using a GPS system to define fence boundaries and a specially designed neckband that alerts the animal to the fact it has reached the virtual fence. The project investigated the animal response to VH technology, pasture/grazing management, group/individual herding, labour saving opportunities and adoption challenges.

The results showed that beef cattle could learn the system within 4-5 interactions and were comparable with existing electric fence outcomes in terms of pasture consumption and animal performance. From the case studies developed on commercial farms, the likely break-even cost of the collars for the extensive beef industry is between $250-400 per head and would require an increase in homegrown feed consumption of at least 10% to justify the investment.

Objectives

The main objective of this project was to use pre-commercial virtual herding prototypes to evaluate the on-farm application of virtual herding technology, demonstrate its implementation and quantify and extend its benefits across livestock industries.

Key findings

• VH technology can be used to improve pasture utilisation, herd animals, manage sub-groups of animals within a herd and enhance environmental outcomes by avoiding overgrazing and creating exclusion zones.
• There are a range of learning, management and ethical challenges faced by producers who may wish to implement a VH system, before considering commercial availability (early 2021) and government restrictions.
• Labour saving is not enough to justify the cost of the technology; a 10% increase in homegrown feed consumption (through better control of grazing) is also required but this seems very achievable on extensive grazing properties in northern Australia.
• VH technology had minimal behavioural and welfare impacts on livestock.

Benefits to industry

VH Technology has the potential to offer a labour-saving solution to improve homegrown feed consumption and reduce land degradation/overgrazing (or conversely boost land condition), while also offering improved environmental outcomes through exclusion zones.

MLA action

MLA will maintain an interest in this technology as it becomes commercially available and as state regulations change, making it a viable option outside of Queensland and Tasmania (where it is currently approved). 

Future research

The benefits to homegrown feed consumption and land condition need to be further investigated in northern Australia.