Agersens

About Agersens

Agersens, an Australian agricultural technology firm, was established in Melbourne in June 2014 by founder Ian Reilly. Growing up on a sheep farm instilled in Reilly a passion for the agricultural sector, which, combined with over 30 years of experience in turning new technology into products across diverse industries, led to the creation of Agersens. The company was co-founded by Jason Chaffey, who has a background in commercializing new technology products and holds a Ph.D. in Microelectromechanical Systems. The firm developed eShepherd, a virtual fencing system designed to automate the management of livestock for cattle farmers.

The core of Agersens' business is the eShepherd product, now owned and distributed by Gallagher Animal Management following an acquisition in June 2021. Gallagher, a major investor since 2016, completed the acquisition to accelerate the product's commercial expansion into global markets. The business model targets beef and dairy farmers, offering a system that reduces labor costs and enhances productivity by allowing remote control of livestock. The virtual fencing market is projected to grow significantly, driven by the increasing need for enhanced security, surveillance, and efficient farm management. Farmers can purchase the system or opt for an annual subscription.

The eShepherd system utilizes solar-powered, GPS-enabled neckbands worn by cattle. Farmers can create, adjust, and monitor virtual paddocks using a web or smartphone application, eliminating the need for physical fences. The neckbands emit an audio cue as an animal approaches a virtual boundary; if the animal proceeds, a harmless electrical stimulus is delivered. Over time, cattle learn to respond to the audio cue alone. A recent update integrated cellular connectivity into each neckband, removing the previous reliance on base stations and reducing setup costs for farmers. This allows for more flexible and cost-effective livestock exclusion, improved pasture management, and the ability to protect environmentally sensitive areas like waterways. The system also includes a safety feature that disables the virtual barrier if an animal shows signs of panic.