8 | nzdairy Halter system creating good vibrations Russell Fredric DAIRY PEOPLE » Kenneth & Rachel Short Using a Halter cow collar and virtual fence system is unexpectedly creating good vibrations for Kenneth and Rachel Short. The couple are equity partners with Rachel’s parents, Louis and Barbara Kuriger, on two organic farms 13 kilometres apart near Opunake. Rachel readily admits that while they love working outdoors with animals, they were never big on technology on the farms, but that changed almost in a single moment. “We went away with our dairy business group up to Waikato in June 18 months ago, and as part of our trip around one of the places that we were going to was a farm that had [the Halter system]. “At that point we thought that cow tech was not something that we were even into in at all. We got onto this farm and talking to the farmer and to the Halter team, watching him do a virtual shift of the cows and we basically walked out the gate and signed a contract.” However, because their farm is certified organic and the technology was new, the system had to be approved by the certifiers. It reduces the need for fences, electric wires, motorbikes and gates by training cows to understand and respond to sound and vibration cues from the collar. With these cues, which are powered by a set of patented algorithms, cows learn to recognise and remain within virtual fences. A well as the collars, the system comprises a communications tower and a mobile phone app. Audio cues signal to a cow that she is approaching or has crossed over a virtual fence and will gently guide her back. Taranaki farmers Rachel and Kenneth Short with sons Max and Zak. A vibration indicates to her that she is on the right path. If a cow chooses to ignore these cues by remaining outside a virtual fence, then the collar will deliver a low-energy pulse. The system minimises all shifting and fencing workload, and with the press of a button shifts any mob to the milking shed, or to graze a new break. Precise pasture management, health and heat detection are also included in the Halter system. Because they are solar powered, Halter collars do not need a battery replacement. After years of closing gates, it was difficult to get used to the system when it was first installed, but after a week “we 100% trust it, it’s quite amazing”, Rachel says. “I just think within the next five years, cow tech like collar tech is going to be everywhere. “There’s a huge amount of advantage already, we haven’t even had it through the best part of the season. Wait till we get to wintering and calving; just that all day putting up break fences, bringing cows to the cow shed, all that sort of stuff.” With having some time now freed up, Kenneth and Rachel are looking forward to having the opportunity to become involved in some off-farm industry and community activities. The farms comprise Shortland Farm 1, peak milking 400 cows on 168 hectares and Shortland Farm 2 peak milking 190 cows on 68 hectares. Both units are self-contained and carry their own young stock. OPUNAKE 027 207 7775 • ALL FARM WIRING & REPAIRS • NEW HOUSE WIRING & ALTERATIONS • NEW COWSHED WIRING & ALTERATIONS • ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS Proudtosupply&service Kenneth andRachel Short’s equipment • Generators • Water Pumps • LawnCare • Bikes • Power equipment • Marine 169Gill Street, NewPlymouth 06 757 3612 www.hondahub.co.nz Fungi TALK TO THE EXPERTS FOR FARMING SUPPORT FARM SERVICES HOMEOPATHIC farmservices.nz info@farmservices.nz 07 858 4233 @HomeopathicFarmServices
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