Pushing boundaries in livestock farming

eShepherd is a virtual fencing system that uses GPS-enabled neckbands and a mobile app to control where your cattle graze. You create and adjust virtual fences on a digital map, and the neckbands keep the animals within the boundary using sound, with a mild pulse only if they cross the virtual fence.

eShepherd removes the limitations of physical fences. Virtual fencing lets you contain and move cattle anywhere on your property—no posts, wires, or manual work required. You can break large paddocks into smaller grazing cells and adjust boundaries in minutes to match pasture conditions. 

It’s a smarter, more flexible way to manage grazing—boosting pasture productivity, avoiding overgrazing, and improving feed efficiency. By reducing reliance on materials and labour, eShepherd also cuts infrastructure and maintenance costs. 

Environmentally, eShepherd is a practical tool for protecting waterways, regenerating native vegetation, and complying with land care obligations—without building a single fence. 

For initial training, herd behaviour supports learning as some animals test boundaries and lead, while others follow. For this reason, we recommend keeping at least 20 animals together for training. Once trained, you can split the herd into smaller mobs/groups, ensuring each group includes both leaders and followers. 

eShepherd is designed for most breeds of cattle over 200 kg/440lb, including bulls. It is not suitable for smaller livestock such as sheep or goats. 

There are several cost-share programs and incentives available for virtual fencing. Explore available options in your region on our Farm Subsidy Tracker - https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6840ef136a708191b372fde6e6495e68-farm-subsidy-tracker (Copy and paste the URL into your browser to view)

If mobile coverage is patchy, eShepherd offers a LoRa (long-range radio) option with local base stations. Even when neckbands are temporarily out of range, they continue working based on their last instructions, so cattle stay safely contained. 

Each neckband is solar-powered and equipped with a long-life lithium iron phosphate battery, designed to last 7–10 years. Built for reliability in harsh weather and rugged terrain, its impact-resistant, waterproof (IPX7) design ensures durability. With just a few hours of sunlight, the battery maintains optimal charge for several days of backup, even during extended poor weather. Smart energy management allows each neckband to operate independently year-round. 

All hardware, including neckbands, solar panels, and base stations, comes with a three-year warranty. If needed, devices are refurbished or replaced. Outside the warranty period, maintenance is minimal, typically limited to replacing straps or clips.  

In case of network failure, virtual paddocks remain active for up to 24 hours. After that, if communication isn't restored, virtual fences will deactivate, allowing animals to roam.

eShepherd includes panic detection mode for emergency situations. Animals can break boundaries during flight responses, such as predator attacks. Fences can also be remotely deactivated from the app in emergencies like wildfires. 

Yes. eShepherd is developed using behavioural science and prioritises animal welfare. Cattle learn to respond to audio cues, with minimal need for pulses. Less handling and more consistent grazing lead to calmer, healthier animals and improved long-term nutrition. 

Neckbands are adjustable and should be checked regularly for fit and comfort. A built-in breakaway feature ensures safety if the band becomes caught. 

Most cattle learn the system within 3 to 10 days. We recommend the full 10 days for training. Cattle quickly associate the audio cue with the boundary and adjust their movement accordingly. This makes the system effective with minimal training or handling.

If an animal is inactive for more than 10% of a 24-hour period, the system sends a notification. This early alert helps you identify health or mobility issues quickly. 

GPS accuracy is ±1metre (3 feet) when cattle are near a virtual fence (within 20 metres/65 feet). This level of precision allows effective management of both large paddocks and small grazing cells.

The app’s heat maps show real-time grazing pressure, helping you rotate stock effectively, prevent overgrazing, and plan for pasture recovery. It’s a powerful tool for adaptive grazing and soil health management

We provide hands-on, farmer-friendly support—from setup to troubleshooting. Gallagher’s expert team is available to assist you and your staff, with training resources and onboarding included.