Member for Orange Philip Donato MP met with Bogan Gate-based livestock farmer, Wayne Dunford to discuss the virtues of Virtual Stock Fencing.
Member for Orange Philip Donato MP has taken the first step towards legalising virtual stock fencing in NSW, last week delivering a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament to introduce the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2023.
“Farming, as with any business in any sector, needs to keep up with technology for greater efficiency, productivity, profitability, safety and security,” said Mr Donato.
“Virtual fencing is high-tech ag technology that assists in autonomous animal control, helping to reduce farmers’ costs on internal fencing while facilitating rotational grazing principles, improving animal performance, and aiding in stopping stock theft. It can also assist with detecting if animals are sick or when they are cycling and is a potential huge game changer for our farmers.
“This ag technology is being successfully used in Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, and New Zealand, however due to existing animal welfare legislation in NSW, which pre-dates this technology, NSW farmers have been left behind their interstate peers.”
For more information: www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/it/virtual-fencing