Halter approved to bring virtual fencing to South Australia

New Zealand agritech company Halter has become the first virtual fencing operator approved to enter the South Australian market, following the state’s decision to legalise the technology for cattle late last year.

The approval brings South Australia into line with Queensland, Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria, where farmers can already use virtual fencing systems to manage livestock movement.

Halter’s technology uses smart collars to create virtual boundaries, allowing beef and dairy producers to control grazing areas and monitor cattle without relying solely on traditional fencing.

The company says more than one million collars are now in use globally, with more than 800,000 kilometres of virtual fencing created across Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.

Halter Australian Strategic Relations Lead David Nation says the technology can help producers improve pasture utilisation, reduce labour demands and make more informed grazing decisions.

The company says virtual fencing can also deliver farm safety benefits by reducing the need for routine cattle movements, mustering and travel around properties.