It is official: virtual fencing is now legal in New South Wales. From 11 December, cattle producers across the state can use one of the most talked-about tools in modern agriculture: technology that changes how you manage both livestock and land.

The announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty at the Orange Agricultural Institute, and it follows years of advocacy and consultation. Victoria announced a similar change just a day earlier, and South Australia is expected to follow. With rural connectivity improving and interest in ag-tech climbing, virtual fencing is set to be a real step change for efficiency, sustainability and profitability.

What it means on the ground

Virtual fencing has already proven itself in Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia, and now NSW producers can join them. It reduces the need for traditional fencing, cuts maintenance and labour costs, and makes precision grazing practical, all while supporting better animal welfare and more sustainable land use.

With eShepherd, you draw paddock boundaries on a map and move cattle from your phone. A GPS-enabled neckband guides each animal with an audio cue, and a brief, low-energy pulse only if it keeps walking, so you can split a paddock or shift a mob without driving a single post.

A long campaign

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP has championed the cause since 2022. He called the decision "great news for our farming community", and said it marks "the start of a new era of farming".

Permitting the latest in ag technology allows our farmers to be competitive, productive and to boost on-farm efficiency. It has been a long slog to get to this stage, a journey I have been personally crusading since 2022. I am extremely grateful to the NSW Government, Premier Minns and Minister Moriarty for listening to my calls to modernise the legislation so our cattle farmers can lawfully use virtual fencing in this state. I would like to thank Gallagher for showing me eShepherd in use in Queensland a few years ago when I began researching virtual fencing; it played a huge role in informing me of the benefits and reinforced my commitment to getting it legalised in NSW.

A Nundle producer makes the switch

For Jared and Suz Doyle, who run a cattle breeding and finishing operation near Nundle, the timing could not be better. The family had budgeted for physical fencing to create smaller grazing plots as part of a carbon program. That money will now go toward eShepherd neckbands instead.

It's an exciting time for the cattle industry to have this technology available.

Jared told The Land he has followed virtual fencing for nearly a decade, and is keen to see the benefits first-hand: better pasture management, lower overheads and more flexibility.

Ready when you are

eShepherd is Gallagher’s virtual fencing system for cattle, built by a team that has worked in animal management since 1938. With NSW now open, the local team is expecting strong interest.

Caitlin Barnett, eShepherd Regional Lead for Australasia, said the change is a milestone for livestock management:

We're absolutely thrilled to see virtual fencing become legal in NSW. This is a huge step forward for livestock management, and we know demand is going to be high. Farmers have been waiting for this moment, so if you're considering eShepherd, now's the time to get in quick and secure your spot.

Where to start