SADA president Robert Brokenshire said the announcement represented a significant milestone for South Australian agriculture and responds to the significant advocacy by SADA on the topic.
It reflects the minister’s sustained commitment to working through the regulatory and animal welfare considerations required to enable the technology.
“This is an important and positive step forward for South Australian dairy farmers and for agriculture more broadly,” Mr Brokenshire said.
“Virtual fencing has the potential to be a genuine game-changer by improving productivity, reducing infrastructure and labour costs, and delivering better environmental outcomes, while maintaining high standards of animal welfare.”
Mr Brokenshire acknowledged the careful and consultative approach taken by the Malinauskas Labor Government in amending the Animal Welfare Regulations to allow virtual fencing, supported by stringent safeguards and approval criteria.
“We recognise the leadership shown by Minister Scriven in ensuring this reform strikes the right balance between innovation, animal welfare and community confidence,” he said.
“Arriving at this point has taken time and diligence, and the minister’s commitment to getting the framework right is appreciated by dairy farmers.”
Mr Brokenshire said virtual fencing offered benefits for dairy businesses, including more precise grazing management, improved protection of waterways and native vegetation, and enhanced herd monitoring.
“For dairy farmers, this technology can support more flexible and responsive pasture management, particularly in challenging seasonal and climatic conditions,” he said.
“It also provides new opportunities to better protect sensitive areas of farms without the cost and disruption of additional physical fencing.”
SADA said it now looked forward to working closely with the South Australian Government, technology providers and industry as approved systems become available from early 2026.
“Our focus will be on supporting the responsible and informed uptake of this technology,” Mr Brokenshire said.
“We look forward to collaborating with government, technology providers and industry to ensure virtual fencing delivers real productivity and sustainability benefits for farmers while upholding strong animal welfare standards.”
