Recap

Introduction and Webinar Purpose: Mark Dempsey introduced the eShepherd virtual fencing webinar, welcoming existing and potential customers. He explained the purpose of the webinar, which is to provide information, after-sales support, and training on the eShepherd platform. Mark also mentioned the participation of team members from New Zealand and the US.

Virtual Fencing Platform Overview: Zippo provided an overview of the eShepherd virtual fencing platform, demonstrating its features and ease of use. He explained how to create virtual fences, manage pastures, and utilize the platform for effective grazing management.

Technical Tip: Zippo provided a technical tip for current users, explaining how to clear selections using the Q button on the keyboard. This tip helps users navigate the platform more efficiently and manage their virtual fences effectively.

Customer Experience - Brandon: Brandon, a rancher from southeast Montana, shared his experience with the eShepherd system. He discussed the benefits of virtual fencing, including improved grazing coverage, labor savings, and the ability to manage the ranch remotely. Brandon also highlighted the system's performance in extreme weather conditions.

Grazing Coverage: Brandon explained how the eShepherd system improved grazing coverage on his ranch. He mentioned that areas previously underutilized by cattle are now being grazed more effectively, leading to better pasture utilization and increased forage availability.

Labor Savings: Brandon highlighted the significant labor savings achieved with the eShepherd system. He noted that the ability to manage grazing remotely and reduce the need for physical fence maintenance has resulted in considerable time and cost savings.

Remote Management: Brandon discussed the advantages of being able to manage his ranch remotely using the eShepherd platform. He shared examples of how he could monitor and control grazing operations from a distance, ensuring efficient management even when not physically present on the ranch.

Weather Performance: Brandon emphasized the system's performance in extreme weather conditions, including temperatures ranging from -60 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit [-50°C to 45°C]. He shared that the neckbands continued to function effectively despite being covered in mud and exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

Customer Experience - Peter: Peter, a cattle breeder from Queensland, Australia, shared his experience with the eShepherd system. He discussed the challenges of maintaining physical fences and the advantages of virtual fencing in terms of labor savings, improved pasture utilization, and remote management. Peter also mentioned the use of virtual fences to manage cattle movement and grazing patterns.

Physical Fence Challenges: Peter described the difficulties of maintaining physical fences, including the need for regular spraying to prevent overgrowth and the challenges posed by fluctuating water levels in the river. He highlighted the labor-intensive nature of physical fence maintenance.

Labor Savings: Peter emphasized the labor savings achieved with virtual fencing, noting that it eliminates the need for physical fence construction and maintenance. He mentioned the reduced need for labor to manage fences and the ability to control cattle movement remotely.

Pasture Utilization: Peter discussed how virtual fencing has improved pasture utilization on his property. He explained that he can now manage grazing patterns more effectively, ensuring that cattle graze in areas that were previously underutilized, leading to better pasture management.

Remote Management: Peter shared his experience of managing his property remotely using the eShepherd platform. He described how he could move cattle between paddocks and manage grazing operations from a distance, providing flexibility and control over his grazing management.

Cattle Movement: Peter explained how he uses virtual fences to manage cattle movement and grazing patterns. He described the strategic placement of virtual fences to guide cattle to specific areas, utilizing attractive pasture areas as magnets to move cattle efficiently.

Future Developments: Zippo discussed the future developments of the eShepherd platform, including integrated pasture measurement, animal performance monitoring, and animal health detection. He emphasized the goal of making these technologies accessible to farmers and collaborating with other companies to enhance the platform.

Pasture Measurement: Zippo outlined the plans for integrating pasture measurement into the eShepherd platform. This feature will allow farmers to monitor pasture availability and quality, enabling more informed grazing management decisions.

Performance Monitoring: Zippo discussed the development of animal performance monitoring tools, such as the StrongBo auto weigher, which will provide live updates on animal weight gains. This data will help farmers optimize grazing strategies and improve livestock management.

Health Detection: Zippo highlighted the ongoing work on animal health detection technologies. These tools will monitor various health indicators, enabling early detection of health issues and improving overall herd health management.

Reproductive Monitoring: Zippo mentioned the plans to monitor the entire reproductive cycle of livestock, from detecting pregnancy to monitoring calving events. This feature will provide valuable insights into reproductive performance and help manage breeding programs more effectively.

Collaboration: Zippo emphasized the importance of collaboration with other companies to enhance the eShepherd platform. By working with partners who specialize in various aspects of livestock management, eShepherd aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated solution for farmers.

Customer Experience - Adrian: Adrian, a beef producer from Dalby, Queensland, shared his initial experience with the eShepherd system. He highlighted the potential cost savings in mustering and the ability to manage cattle remotely. Adrian also mentioned his plans to fit more collars and explore the system's capabilities further.

Mustering Cost Savings: Adrian discussed the significant cost savings in mustering achieved with the eShepherd system. He explained that using helicopters for mustering is expensive at AUD10,000 per helicopter per day, and the ability to manage cattle movement remotely with virtual fencing reduces the need for such costly and stressful operations.

Remote Management: Adrian highlighted the benefits of managing cattle remotely using the eShepherd platform. He shared his experience of moving cattle between paddocks from his office, demonstrating the flexibility and control offered by the system.

Collar Installation: Adrian mentioned his plans to fit more collars on his cattle and explore the system's capabilities further. He noted that he has already seen positive results with the initial collars and is looking forward to expanding the use of virtual fencing on his property.

System Exploration: Adrian described his approach to exploring the eShepherd system, including testing its limits and understanding its capabilities. He shared examples of how he has used the system to manage cattle movement and improve grazing management.

Questions and Answers

(Coming soon)

Updated on: 15/08/2025