Virtual fences are the future: NSW Farmers

Farmers have cheered as a state government inquiry has backed calls for virtual fencing technology to be legalised for use in NSW.

NSW Farmers Dairy Committee member Robert McIntosh said the extensive benefits of virtual fences were evident in the state government’s findings handed down on Tuesday.

“With virtual fences, farmers can protect sensitive areas of the environment, reduce their fencing costs and even move livestock to safe areas in natural disasters without putting humans or animals at risk,” Mr McIntosh said.

“Fencing off noxious weeds to be controlled and adjusting grazing spaces to make the best possible use of available pasture are all other possibilities for boosting farm productivity and sustainability using virtual fencing.

“There’s no end to the advantages of this tool, and so there’s no reason we shouldn’t be out there using it.”

With other states already taking advantage of the technology, Mr McIntosh said it was imperative the NSW government acted quickly with industry to ensure farmers could make use of the fences in the state.

“Legalising virtual fences and working with industry to develop a code of conduct guiding the use of this technology are the next two key steps we must see the NSW government take action on now, so we can start reaping the rewards of these fences sooner rather than later,” Mr McIntosh.

“Virtual fences are the way of the future for many farmers, and so we stand ready to help get this technology rolled out and in action across the state.

“Technology has so many benefits to offer farmers, and we need to be making use of it if we want to feed the future.”