Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Banks Peninsula was chosen for the trial because of its steep, rocky terrain, which makes traditional fencing difficult and expensive, especially around waterways and wetlands.
Many of these wetlands are small, narrow and scattered across the landscape, making them hard to fence using conventional methods.
Virtual fencing offers a more flexible approach, allowing stock to be managed without needing to build physical fences in challenging places, reducing the materials, labour and ongoing costs.
Ian said the virtual fencing trial has helped with stock control.
“I can keep stock out of areas I would never have fenced off using traditional methods,” he said
More control, less chasing
For Ian, the biggest change so far is knowing exactly where his stock are, and being able to move them without heading into the paddock.
“I know where my stock are all the time, even when I’m not on the property,” he says.
“I can shift them remotely and I don’t leave any behind.”
That extra control is also changing how he manages grass.
“I can control my grass a lot better. I’m growing more and using it better.”
How the technology works
The system uses GPS collars on cattle to keep them within virtual boundaries that can be set and shifted from a phone app.
Stock are guided by sound, followed by a mild pulse if they push past the boundary.
For Ian, it means he can adjust where cattle graze without needing to build or move fences.
What he’s noticed so far
Alongside better stock control, Ian says he’s seeing other benefits.
“The cows are probably healthier. They’re getting on and off grass quickly,” he says.
While there was a bit to learn early on, he says it’s been worth it.
“It’s a really useful tool on farm. There are heaps of advantages.”
Keeping stock out of wet areas
One of Ian’s key questions going into the trial was whether virtual fencing could help keep stock out of sensitive wet areas.
“Will I be able to keep stock out of wet areas? Almost certainly, most of the time,” he says.
“Will that benefit the waterway? Almost certainly.”
On Banks Peninsula, these spring‑fed wetlands are common but often difficult to fence properly.
Would he recommend virtual fencing?
For Ian, the answer is simple.
“Would I recommend them? Too right.”
Virtual fencing trial insights
Trials like this are building early insights into where virtual fencing works well, and where it may have limitations.
We are working alongside farmers to understand how the technology performs in real conditions, and what it could mean for farms facing similar challenges.
Holly Morgan, Senior Resource Management Officer, says:
“Springhead wetlands are a common feature on Banks Peninsula, but they’re often difficult to fence because of their size and location. Trials like this help us understand whether virtual fencing could be a practical tool for protecting these areas, while still working within real farm systems. The learnings will also help shape how we approach similar work in the future,” Holly said.
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Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/22/from-curious-to-convinced-virtual-fencing-trial-on-banks-peninsula/