Ep 26: Virtual Fencing in Dairy with Halter

EPISODE 26:

In this episode we’re talking about virtual fencing and monitoring technology that could be transformative for the dairy industry. We’re joined by Dairy Australia’s Emily Samyue to give us an overview of the role agtech plays within the industry.  

We then travel across the ditch to speak to Steve Crowhurst from New Zealand-based company Halter. Halter’s smart cow collars predominantly use sound cues to guide cattle on where to go, allowing cows to be remotely brought in for milking and cell grazed in smaller mobs to improve pasture growth and production. 

We also talk to Tasmanian dairy farmer Troy Ainslie who has been using the Halter technology to virtually herd and fence cattle and monitor pasture and animal health. He says he now doesn’t think he’d be dairy farming without it.  

FEATURING:

EMILY SAMYUE – DAIRY AUSTRALIA

Emily is currently the Head of Innovation at Dairy Australia and has worked for a number FMCG companies including Coca-Cola Amatil, Simplot Australia, Unilever Australasia and Cerebos. Emily has a strong background in developing and implementing innovation programs, technology development and transformational innovation. 

STEVE CROWHURST – HALTER

Steve Crowhurst is Halter’s Partnership Manager, responsible for managing key industry relationships across Australia and New Zealand. Based in Waikato, New Zealand, he brings a wealth of firsthand agricultural experience, as his family owns and operates a dairy farm in the region. His expertise and leadership have been instrumental in spearheading Halter’s expansion across New Zealand and into Tasmania. 

TROY AINSLIE – TASMANIAN DAIRY FARMER

Troy Ainlsie is the manager of Woodrising Dairies in central Tasmania for Compass Tas Dairy Operations, which consists of six dairy farms across the state. Woodrising is a 180-hectare dairy property, milking 540 cows. Woodrising Dairies adopted the Halter collar system in July 2023 and are already seeing the benefits. In 2023 Woodrising Dairies won Tasmanian Dairy Business of the Year.