About
Halter is the leading operating system for pasture-based farming, purpose-built for dairy and beef operations across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. At its core, Halter replaces physical fencing infrastructure with lightweight, solar-powered GPS collars that guide cows using audio and vibration cues. Farmers can set break fences, shift herds to the next grazing block, and monitor every animal — all from a smartphone app, without needing cellular coverage on farm thanks to Halter's proprietary tower network. Beyond virtual fencing, Halter aggregates real-time pasture growth and quality data alongside individual animal metrics, enabling precision allocation decisions that maximise feed utilisation and reduce waste. The platform's automatic heat detection and health-behaviour alerts surface issues early, helping farmers protect reproductive performance and herd welfare without manual observation rounds. Halter is trusted by operations ranging from family farms to large-scale enterprises managing thousands of cows. Farmers report saving multiple hours of labour per day, achieving significant improvements in mating rates, and reducing pasture waste. The platform raised $220 million in Series E funding to accelerate global expansion, underlining its commercial momentum. Halter is ideal for progressive dairy and beef farmers who want to run highly productive, data-driven operations with less physical effort.
Key Features
- Virtual Fencing & Remote Herd Shifting: Set break fences and shift herds to the next grazing block with a single tap in the app — no reels, standards, or physical labour required.
- Real-Time Pasture Management: Access live data on pasture growth rates and quality to make precise allocation decisions that maximise feed utilisation and reduce waste.
- Automatic Heat & Health Monitoring: AI-driven alerts flag changes in animal behaviour, health anomalies, and heat events, enabling early intervention and protecting reproductive performance.
- 24/7 Animal Location Tracking: Solar-powered GPS collars and on-farm towers provide continuous location data for every animal, independent of cellular coverage.
- Integrated Farm App: A single mobile app unifies virtual fencing, pasture data, animal health, and herd insights so farmers can manage their entire operation remotely.
Use Cases
- Dairy farmers shifting cow herds to fresh pasture breaks multiple times per day without manual fence moves.
- Beef operations implementing rotational grazing across large properties to prevent overgrazing and improve pasture recovery.
- Farm managers remotely monitoring animal health and heat cycles across multiple paddocks from a single mobile app.
- Precision pasture allocation using real-time growth data to optimise feed budgets and reduce supplement costs.
- Large-scale enterprises managing thousands of animals with a small labour force by automating routine herd movement tasks.
Pros
- Significant Labour Savings: Farmers report saving multiple hours of manual labour per day by eliminating physical fence moves and routine monitoring walks.
- Improved Mating & Herd Performance: Automatic heat detection and behaviour alerts lead to measurable improvements in 6-week in-calf rates and overall herd productivity.
- Works Without Cell Coverage: Halter's proprietary tower network keeps collars and the app connected even in remote paddocks with no mobile signal.
- Solar-Powered & Low Maintenance: Collars are solar-powered and designed for durability, minimising ongoing maintenance burden for farmers.
Cons
- Hardware Upfront Investment: Deploying collars, towers, and infrastructure across a farm involves a significant upfront capital commitment that may not suit all operations.
- Limited Geographic Availability: Halter currently operates only in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, restricting access for farmers in other regions.
- Dependent on Collar Adoption: Full platform value requires collaring every animal, which can be logistically intensive on very large or extensively managed properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Halter's virtual fencing work?
Each cow wears a solar-powered GPS collar. Farmers draw fence lines in the Halter app, and the collar uses audio and vibration cues to guide cows to stay within the defined area. When it's time to shift, the farmer taps a button and the collar guides the herd to the next break.
Does Halter require cell phone coverage on the farm?
No. Halter installs proprietary towers on farm that connect collars to the app without needing cellular coverage in the paddocks. Farmers can manage their herd from anywhere with an internet connection.
Is Halter suitable for both dairy and beef operations?
Yes. Halter offers dedicated solutions for both dairy and beef farming, with features and workflows tailored to the specific management needs of each operation type.
How does Halter detect heat and health issues?
The collar continuously tracks animal movement and behaviour. Halter's algorithms analyse this data to automatically flag deviations that indicate heat cycles or potential health concerns, sending alerts directly to the farmer's app.
What kind of return on investment can farmers expect?
Halter has published independent ROI studies showing significant labour savings, improved mating rates, and reduced pasture waste. Individual results vary by operation size and management style, but farmers commonly report saving 2–3 hours of labour per day.
