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From early morning ferry crossings to rebuilding technology on remote South Island hill country, no two days look quite the same for eShepherd On-Farm Technician Duncan. It's a role that takes technical expertise, practical problem-solving and a willingness to go the extra mile. And behind every challenge is a team committed to making sure farmers have the technology and support they need to succeed.
As part of a fast-growing global agri-tech business, Duncan is helping farmers discover what's possible with virtual fencing, while experiencing firsthand the variety, independence and opportunities that come with being part of a team changing the future of farming.
A morning with a view – and a call from the other side of the world
Most of New Zealand was still sleeping when Duncan boarded the ferry in Wellington, bound for the South Island. With a long drive and a full day ahead, the plan was to catch a few hours of sleep during the crossing.
But working in customer success for a global brand like eShepherd doesn't always follow a schedule.
An urgent call came through from a customer in the United States. A new operator was still getting familiar with the virtual fencing system and needed some help.
Rather than waiting until morning, Duncan got online and talked the customer through the issue. By the time the ferry reached Picton, the operator was back up and running with confidence.
And Duncan's day was only just beginning.
The climb to Burkes Pass
His next challenge was waiting high above Burkes Pass, in the Canterbury high country.
A base station needed a complete rebuild to withstand the demanding conditions of its exposed location. Duncan drove straight from the ferry towards the Mackenzie Basin, arriving in time for a mid-afternoon appointment with the customer.
Getting to the site was another adventure in itself.
The track was so steep that Duncan needed diamond chains on his brand-new Ford Ranger to make the climb, even in dry conditions.
With off-road experience and specialist 4WD training, Duncan knew how quickly conditions could change. Halfway up the track, he could see rain moving across the surrounding ranges.
But there was a job to finish, and the weather doesn’t wait.
At the top, Duncan stripped the base station back and rebuilt it from the ground up. This time, it was firmly anchored and ready to withstand the elements.
With the station secured and the customer updated, Duncan made his way back down the mountain (before the weather hit!), and prepared for the next stop.
It's this combination of technical know-how, practical farming experience and independent problem-solving that makes the On-Farm Technician role so important to eShepherd's customer experience. It's also a reflection of the entrepreneurial approach behind eShepherd, where people are empowered to think on their feet, take ownership of challenges and find practical solutions that make a difference for farmers.
Burkes Pass is just the beginning…
Over the following days, Duncan travelled through the Mackenzie Basin, Fairlie, Palmerston and Mosgiel, before heading south to Ōtautau and eventually making his way north again.
Along the way, he visited five farms to complete updates to approximately 3,500 eShepherd neckbands.
The work wasn't simply a matter of connecting equipment and installing software. It meant getting out into the paddocks, finding the mobs and updating neckbands while they were still on the animals.
For farmers, that makes a significant difference.
Rather than bringing livestock back to the yards and disrupting their day-to-day operations, Duncan took the technology to where it was needed.
Some paddocks were more accessible than others, but navigating challenging terrain is part of the job.
For Duncan, customer success isn't just about getting technology working. It's about understanding how farmers operate and finding practical ways to make their lives easier. It's this close connection with customers that helps eShepherd continue to evolve, turning real-world farming challenges into opportunities to improve how the technology works for farmers.
Even with changing conditions and thousands of neckbands, the focus remained the same: making sure customers get the most from their eShepherd systems.
Independent in the field, connected around the world
While Duncan spends much of his time working independently on farms, he's never tackling challenges alone.
Behind him is a global eShepherd customer service network spanning New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
From troubleshooting and technical support to specialist input from the communications and firmware teams, Duncan has direct access to the expertise needed to solve problems in the field.
As eShepherd expands into new markets, this connection between people in the field and those developing the technology is increasingly important. It brings together practical farming knowledge and technical innovation, helping the business respond quickly to customer needs and turn ideas into real solutions.
It's a collaborative approach that brings together people with different skills, experiences and perspectives, all working towards the same outcome.
For an On-Farm Technician, that means having the freedom and responsibility to find solutions on the ground, backed by the knowledge and capability of a much wider team.
More than a technical role
Gallagher has been supporting New Zealand farmers since 1938, building a deep understanding of livestock management and the challenges of farming life. eShepherd is the evolution of that heritage, taking decades of animal management and containment expertise into a new era of connected farming technology.
But eShepherd is also building something different. As a fast-growing agri-tech business, it's creating opportunities for people who want to work in an entrepreneurial environment, embrace new challenges and play a direct role in shaping the future of farming.
And while virtual fencing is changing how farmers manage their animals and land, the importance of personal relationships and dependable support hasn't changed.
For Duncan, that might mean answering a call from the other side of the world, rebuilding equipment on a remote hillside or spending weeks travelling between farms to deliver the latest technology.
No two days are quite the same. Every farm presents a different challenge, and every challenge is an opportunity to make a difference.
It's a role for people who enjoy being out in the field, thinking on their feet and seeing the direct impact of their work. For Duncan and the wider eShepherd team, it's also an opportunity to be part of something that's growing fast, thinking differently and helping farming families discover what's possible on their land.
If this type of work excites you - check out our current available roles in the eShepherd team.
