eShepherd system opens to Victorian cattle producers
Victorian cattle producers can now access Gallagher’s eShepherd virtual fencing system as it rolls out across the state. Gallagher, a family-owned animal-management company, has engineered farm fencing for 88 years.
EShepherd uses a GPS-enabled, solar-powered neckband with audio-first cues to hold and move cattle without fixed internal fences. Producers can use the system to subdivide paddocks, rotate grazing and protect sensitive land from stock pressure.
Across Victoria, the launch marks a new step for Gallagher as demand rises for tools that improve grazing management, increase flexibility and support on-farm decisions. First producers in the state have already deployed eShepherd on their properties.
eShepherd ownership model
Sarah Adams, Gallagher Animal Management general manager for global strategy and new ventures, said the company took a deliberate approach before bringing virtual fencing to the Victorian market. She said Gallagher focused on building a system that works in real farming conditions and delivers long-term value.
Before the Victorian rollout, Gallagher tested eShepherd across diverse farming systems around the world. Those trials aimed to ensure the technology could perform in demanding commercial environments.
Unlike subscription-based offers, eShepherd is sold on an outright ownership basis. Farmers own the system from day one and avoid ongoing subscription costs.
“Virtual fencing is a significant investment for any farm business, and farmers need confidence they are choosing a system they can rely on for years to come,” Ms Adams said.
Gallagher links eShepherd to a broader digital farm management ecosystem. That work is aimed at helping farm businesses run in smarter, more efficient and more resilient ways.
Ms Adams argued that eShepherd builds on Gallagher’s long history in agriculture by combining virtual fencing technology with support from an established brand. Gallagher has served the sector for nearly nine decades.
Gallagher did not provide a purchase price for Victorian producers in the release. However, the company plans to keep refining eShepherd and add new capabilities with farmer input.
“Technology should make farming simpler, not more complicated,” Ms Adams said.
