MOMENTUM is growing for a national animal welfare code that could pave the way for virtual fencing across Australian farming businesses.

Each state has its own animal welfare code and while virtual fencing is allowed in other states, it is outlawed in Victoria and South Australia.

With support from the DemoDAIRY Foundation, several South-west Victorian dairy farmers recently learnt about the potential benefits of virtual fencing to manage herd grazing and movement during a New Zealand study tour.

(Full article on this trip can be found in the August edition of the Western District Farmer).

Farm consultant, Angus Drummond, who lead the SW Farm Business Discussion Group (SW FBDG), said there was a lot of interest in a farm using a Halter collar app for virtual fencing, prompting a suggestion to lobby the State Government to allow their use in Victoria.

Virtual fencing was also highlighted during a recent dairy innovation day at Mount Gambier.

Dairy Australia principal scientist, Dr John Penry, said a study into virtual fencing completed in 2021, funded by the Australian dairy levy with other government support, was positive about the technology.

“The research work on balance was favourable about the technology,” he said.

“Dairy Australia’s role is to point to the evidence base and that four-year study is still relevant.

“Whilst today’s technology might be a slightly differently designed collar, the premise for how it works is still the same.

“Based on overseas and Australian studies and experiences, it’s a reasonable thing to look at as an option.”

Since completing the study, the commercial company involved has focused on applications in the northern beef industry.

“Unfortunately, animal welfare codes differ between states,” Dr Penry said.

“Presently any virtual herding technology relies on an electrical pulse and audible warning.

“This technology can be used in other states but not Victoria and South Australia because it doesn’t fit within their animal welfare codes.”

Halter representatives and a farmer in their testing program attended the South Australian dairy innovation day, creating strong interest.

“There is definitely interest around how farmers could use that sort of technology to make grazing management simpler and less time consuming, particularly during the calving period,” Dr Penry said.

“The technology by and large seems to work and there are relatively few animals that can’t be trained on it.

“A next step for Australia would be to get a more homogenised between states’ animal welfare codes.”

Dr Penry said Dairy Australia believed it would be in the country’s best interests to have uniform animal welfare codes between the states.

“That’s not specifically about virtual fencing but as a general principle,” he said.

Like any new technology though, the issue will be the initial cost in implementing the program in Australia, and whether this stacks up financially on farm.

One local farmer who has obtained a quote notes the current upfront cost and ongoing yearly software fees would make the new technology cost prohibitive, even if the animal welfare concerns were not an issue. 

DemoDAIRY Foundation is keen to support south west Victorian dairy farmers to improve their knowledge and advance their careers. 

More information about support from the DemoDAIRY Foundation can be found at demodairy.com.au/scholarships-and-grants/