Creating Virtual Paddocks

To start, go to the Virtual Paddock (VP) Menu. You may already see some paddocks on your property—some active and others just listed. To create a new virtual paddock, click the Create button (the plus sign) to enter the drawing tool.

Start by selecting an Inclusion Zone and use the map to outline your paddock by clicking to drop virtual fence posts. Complete the shape by clicking back on the first point. You can edit the shape by adding or removing points as needed. If you accidentally create a sharp corner, the system will highlight it in red, as sharp corners can confuse animals. Simply adjust the shape to make it easier for animals to navigate.

Overlaying Virtual and Physical Fences

When creating a virtual paddock, you have the option to overlay it with an existing physical fence. This helps reinforce physical boundaries, and you can either match the virtual fence exactly to the physical one or place it slightly inside or outside, depending on your needs.

Extending Grazing Areas

Once you’ve set up a paddock, you can extend your animals' grazing area over time by using the Copy feature. This creates a copy of the existing paddock, which you can then modify by adding more area. This is especially useful for rotational grazing, as you can progressively allow animals to access more pasture.

Managing Back Fencing

Back fencing allows you to prevent animals from returning to areas that have already been grazed. To do this, copy the current paddock, extend it to a new grazing area, and exclude the old area by adjusting the paddock shape. You can even create narrow corridors for animals to return to watering points while keeping them out of rested areas.

Practical Tips

When designing paddocks, ensure laneways to watering points are wide enough for easy navigation. Over time, you can narrow these lanes. Avoid sharp corners in your paddock design to make movement smoother for the animals. As you draw or edit paddocks, the system will show the grazing area and the new allocation in either hectares or your preferred unit of measurement.

This covers the basics of creating and managing virtual paddocks. For more advanced features, check out the additional videos in the eShepherd Resource Centre.

Updated on: 06/08/2025