Emergency Pause Device

The eShepherd system includes a dedicated Emergency Pause Device (EPD) — sometimes referred to as a 'Bluetooth beacon' — that allows you to immediately suspend virtual fencing for your animals directly on-farm — no internet connection or app access required.

The EPD is either mounted in a fixed location on your property, or carried in a farm vehicle. Fixed locations would typically be near a watering point, gateway, or high-traffic area. It can be mounted on a Waratah, T-post, or Y-post. Once installed and charged, it is always ready to use.

How It Works

The EPD communicates directly with neckbands via Bluetooth. When activated, it broadcasts a pause command to any neckband within range. Those neckbands relay the command to neighbouring neckbands, spreading the pause signal across the herd.

1. Activating the Pause

When you need to immediately suspend virtual fencing — during an animal welfare event, a mustering situation, or an unexpected hazard — move your animals into range of the EPD, or bring the EPD to them.

To turn on the EPD, use the eShepherd magnet. Any neckband within Bluetooth range will receive the pause command and suspend its virtual fence boundary. The signal relays between neckbands, extending coverage across the mob.

2. Pause Duration

While in range of the EPD, the virtual fence will stay paused in 3-hour blocks. Each time the EPD transmits a command, it plays a sound so you know it is operating. This duration is configured by Gallagher staff and is not adjustable by the operator.

3. Ending the Pause

Once your animals are safe, move them away from the EPD and turn it off. Virtual fencing will automatically re-enable after a minimum of 3 hours once neckbands are no longer in range.

4. Restoring Normal Operation

Turn off the EPD using the magnet. When the 3-hour minimum expires, neckbands will re-enable to their current virtual paddock.

If the EPD is misplaced or unavailable, a spare neckband can be converted into a temporary pause device in an emergency. Contact your Customer Success Representative to enable this mode.

Setup & Readiness

How do I know my EPD is charged and ready to use? 

Turn the EPD on using the eShepherd magnet and check the LED within the first 2–5 minutes. A green LED means battery charge is OK. A flashing red LED means battery is low, and the device is not ready, so leave it in full sunlight for 3 days, and ensure you see a green LED before relying on it.

How many EPDs do I need for my property? 

This depends on property size and how your herds are managed. As a general guide, if you have multiple mobs/herds over a large property you may need multiple EPDs. Talk to our team about your specific setup.

What do I do if I've lost the magnet? 

The EPD can only be activated with the eShepherd magnet. You will have also got a magnet with your neckbands. If you can’t find that either, contact us. 

During an Emergency

Will the pause still work if my cattle are spread across a large area? 

The pause signal relays between neckbands, so cattle don't all need to be within range of the EPD itself. However, the EPD works best when cattle are within 20m line of sight of each other. If animals are very spread out, the relay chain may not reach all neckbands. In that case, bring the EPD to different parts of the mob, or consider deploying a second EPD.

The EPD is transmitting (blue LED) but my animals don't seem to be responding. What should I do? 

Allow 15-30 minutes for the pause to propagate through the mob at high stocking density. If cattle are spread out, it may take longer or some neckbands may not receive the signal. Move the EPD closer to animals that haven't responded or bring those animals closer to the EPD.

How will I know when all my animals have their VP paused?

If you have comms, your animals will show with an unfenced icon on the App once they have received the signal. If comms are down, you will need to use your judgment based on elapsed time and animal activity. 

Can I use the EPD during normal network operation, or only during outages? 

The EPD is designed primarily for emergency situations where there is a network outage, and animals are held in the existing VP, but you need to move them. It works independently of the network and app. 

The EPD can also be used for other situations when you need to free animals from their virtual paddock, for example mustering, animal welfare events, or flooding.  

Note: Once the EPD is activated the pause will remain in place for a minimum of 3 hours from the last pause signal received by your cattle. If you have moved the cattle you will need to make sure the new VP is active before the pause ends.

Will the EPD pause neckbands on a neighbouring property if animals are close to a fence line? 

Yes. The EPD is not mob/herd or property specific. So, any neckband on any property within Bluetooth range will receive the pause command.

After the Event

My animals are safe but virtual fencing hasn't resumed. Is that normal? 

Yes. Virtual fencing will not resume until a minimum of 3 hours has passed since neckbands received the last pause signal. This is by design. Plan your mustering and animal movement with this in mind.

Make sure you have the new VP in place where you have moved your cattle to before the pause ends. Otherwise, the original VP (or any scheduled VP within the timeframe) will resume. 

Is there any way to end the pause sooner than 3 hours? 

No. Once the pause has been transmitted, the 3-hour minimum cannot be shortened, even if the EPD is switched off. Move animals away from the EPD or turn the EPD off as soon as the situation is resolved/all animals have received the pause, to start the 3-hour countdown.

What if I need to pause the VP for longer than 3 hours?

Just keep the EPD active. While neckbands remain within Bluetooth range of each other and the EPD, the virtual fence is paused in 3-hour blocks which repeat until the pause is ended. 

What if I had a VP change scheduled during the pause?

Once the 3-hour pause is complete, the VP that the animals are supposed to be in at the time the pause ends will resume. For example, if your animals were in VP1 and you paused the VP at 10am, then resumed the VP at 1pm, VP1 would resume. However, if you had a scheduled move into VP2 set for 11am, when the 3-hour pause ends, VP2 would resume. 

Most likely in an emergency you will have moved the animals, so be sure to set up the new VP for your animals new location as soon as comms resume and before the pause ends.

Do I need to do anything in the app after using the EPD? 

No action in the app is required to resume virtual fencing. Once neckbands have been out of Bluetooth range of the EPD for 3 hours, fencing resumes automatically. 

However, if you have moved the animals during the pause, make sure you set up the VP for your animal’s new location as soon as comms resume and before the pause ends.

It’s good practice to check the app afterwards to confirm neckbands are back online and boundaries are active as expected.

Maintenance

How long does the solar charge last without sun exposure? 

This varies depending on usage and conditions. If the EPD is stored in low light for extended periods, charge will deplete over time. Check the LED status regularly, if you see a flashing red LED, place it in full sunlight for 3 days before your next expected need.

What happens if the EPD gets wet or damaged? 

The EPD is designed for outdoor use, but if it has been submerged, crushed, or shows signs of physical damage, test it before relying on it in an emergency. Contact us if you're unsure whether it's still functioning correctly.

How do I know when my EPD needs replacing? 

If the EPD fails to activate after a full charge, doesn't emit tones, or the LED doesn't respond as expected, contact our team. Do not rely on a device that hasn't been verified as working.

Updated on: 18/06/2026