Virtual fencing technology is being used in a grazing project on steep New Zealand hills in Waikato. The New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science is studying the transition to help hill country farms overcome environmental and economic challenges.
Facing the Hill Country Crossroads
Generational farming businesses across New Zealand frequently confront complex Social, Environmental, Cultural, and Economic pressures. For Jon and Fiona Sherlock, tweaking traditional operational methods no longer delivered sufficient financial returns. They needed a genuine step change in profitability without resorting to whole-farm forestry conversions or selling their land.
Traditional stick-and-string fencing proves nearly impossible to manage effectively on steep, erosion-prone country. The Sherlocks wanted a solution that kept them farming while improving both business viability and environmental outcomes.
Deploying Virtual Fencing in Waikato
In May 2025, the Sherlocks secured a year of free access to the Halter collar system as part of an agricultural research initiative. This technology enabled a direct transition to an intensive bull beef system across their challenging topography. But there is a catch: making this shift required meticulous advance planning and a complete redesign of their grazing mindset.
The system virtually fenced 215 hectares specifically designated for rotationally grazing 950 R1 bulls, while sheep remained on other farm blocks. Precise digital boundary placement allowed the farmers to protect vulnerable waterways and steep, erosion-prone land. According to Jon Sherlock, virtual boundaries let them match grazing directly to land capability rather than accepting the physical limits of traditional wire fences.
Scientific Tracking and Environmental Metrics
The New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science is actively monitoring the project alongside social scientists who track farm-level decisions. Researchers established comprehensive baseline data before introducing cattle to the virtual system. Ongoing data collection involves drone imagery for pasture cover, visual soil assessments, tree diversity tracking, and vegetation checks.
Water quality monitoring forms a vital component of the ongoing case study. Scientists collect eDNA samples and water quality measurements from local streams to gauge ecological impacts. Preliminary findings from visual stream assessments show zero waterway degradation, while pastures and animal health appear to be very healthy.
| Project Metric | Recorded Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Waikato, New Zealand |
| Primary Participants | Jon and Fiona Sherlock |
| Research Institution | New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science |
| Land Area Managed | 215 hectares |
| Livestock Allocation | 950 R1 bulls |
| Key Recognition | Waikato Regional Supreme Winners, Ballance Farm Environment Awards 2026 |
Broader Implications for Hill Country Farming
Lisa Box, a scientist specializing in ethical agriculture at the Institute, notes that the research carries immense importance for struggling agricultural enterprises. Many producers are struggling to cope with shifting environmental legislation alongside declining profit margins. This case study aims to help operators design profitable systems without forcing wholesale land-use changes.
The successful integration of virtual fencing earned the Sherlocks recognition as Waikato Regional Supreme Champions at the 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Fiona Sherlock emphasizes that their ultimate objective remains producing more yield from optimal land while enhancing biodiversity across marginal areas.
