Why eShepherd Is Good for Your Animals and Your Farm
eShepherd is a virtual fencing system that improves animal welfare while simplifying livestock management. By replacing physical fences with smart, animal-friendly technology, it offers a safer, more efficient, practical, and humane way to manage grazing. It is practical, ethical, and science-backed.
Developed in collaboration with leading animal behaviour researchers, including CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), eShepherd is grounded in scientific studies that validate its safety and effectiveness.
How eShepherd Supports Animal Welfare:
Minimally Invasive Training
Animals learn to respond to sound, not pain. A mild pulse is delivered only if several audio cues are ignored. Most cattle adapt within 2–7 interactions, reducing stress and confusion.
Supports Natural Behaviors
By enabling rotational and adaptive grazing, eShepherd supports more natural foraging behaviors. Cattle can be moved frequently to fresh pasture, improving nutrition and reducing parasite loads, and giving paddocks time to recover.
Lowers Injury Risk
Physical fences can cause injuries through entanglement or escape attempts. Virtual fencing eliminates these risks, promoting safer movement and interaction across the herd.
Reduces Handling Stress
You don't need to herd animals manually or check fences constantly. With fewer human-animal interactions, cattle stay calmer, and you save time.
Real-Time Health Monitoring
Each GPS-enabled neckband is solar-powered and continuously tracks animal movement. If an animal is unusually inactive, the system alerts you, helping detect potential health issues early.
Designed for Comfort
While the neckband may appear bulky, it is lightweight relative to the animal's size and ergonomically designed to prevent rubbing or chafing. Built for long-term wear in real farm conditions, the device is weather-resistant, impact-tolerant, and powered by a long-life solar battery. It is ready to handle the demands of daily use and designed to last 7-10 years.
Protecting Livestock and Land
eShepherd enables exclusion of livestock from sensitive areas such as waterways, native habitats, and erosion-prone zones. This not only protects ecosystems but also prevents animals from exposure to hazardous environments.
Ethical Oversight
The development and deployment of eShepherd are overseen by an Animal Ethics Committee, ensuring that all testing and usage comply with strict welfare standards. This includes:
- Ensuring the electrical stimulus is mild and safe.
- Monitoring animal responses during training.
- Adjusting protocols based on welfare observations.
Link to: eShepherd™ Animal Ethics Committee Terms of Reference
Science-Driven, Farm-Tested
CSIRO, a global leader in agricultural research, has extensively studied and validated the welfare impacts of virtual fencing. Gallagher's commercial deployment of eShepherd builds on this foundation, ensuring that the technology is both scientifically sound and practically viable.
Certified for Safety
eShepherd is CE certified, which means it meets strict European standards for safety, health, and environmental protection. For farmers, this offers several key benefits:
- Safe for animals: Designed and tested to avoid harm.
- Safe for humans: You can handle and maintain the equipment with confidence.
- Reliable technology: The system performs consistently and safely under farm conditions.
- Internationally trusted: Certified for global markets.
CE certification is your assurance that eShepherd is built for quality, safety, and trust.
Comparative Advantage Over Traditional Systems
- No physical barriers: Less injury and stress.
- Remote management: Less human-animal confrontation.
- 24/7 visibility: Early alerts, proactive care, peace of mind.
- Dynamic fencing: Healthier pastures, better nutrition.
- Scalable and flexible: Suitable for diverse terrains and herd sizes.
eShepherd isn't just new; it's a better way forward. By aligning animal welfare with farm performance, it redefines ethical livestock management. As agriculture evolves, tools like eShepherd will be vital in meeting the dual goals of sustainability and humane care.
