SYSTEM

Smart technologies are on the rise around the world. Now Australian producers have great access to new smart tools helping them make swift decisions about their land, water, crops, and animals from anywhere in the world – all based on real time information.

A perfect example of the latest smart technology in the market is the new Tru-Test Farm Network Fence Monitoring Solution. A smart fence monitoring network solution launched in 2022 by Datamars Livestock.

The Tru-Test Farm Network Fence Monitoring systems provides continuous remote voltage monitoring on multiple parts of a fence system.

How does it work? The new Tru-Test system uses a mesh network of fence nodes which delivers up to 12,000V across electrified wires 24 hours a day, all year round. The system monitors the full length of the wire not just the voltage at the end. If and when the voltage at any part of the line drops below the set figure, it sends real time alerts to one or more cell phones.

South Australian farmer, Charlie Crozier is almost at the end of his first full season with the system. He runs nine nodes across the farm monitoring two paddocks at a time.

Charlie runs a self-replacing flow of 2000 Dorper breeding ewes at Narree

Downs. Prior to installing the Tru-Test Fencing Monitoring, he would manually test his 300kms of extensive electric fencing three times a week as he moved around the farm, to detect any weakness.

Now he has no need to drive across the 840-hectare property, then walk the fence line to check the voltage. His fence data, relayed to the Cloud every two minutes, is already on hand no matter where he is on or off the property. If voltage dips or drops away, Charlie is alerted via an app where he can see all the current real time and older historical data about what’s been happening along the line.

Charlie estimates a time saving of 30mins every day that no longer needs to be committed to regular fence checks.

It’s time that he can put elsewhere, which in mind makes the monitoring system “a really valuable investment.”

“It’s not a toy, it’s a tool” he says and its absolute peace of mind.

The Tru-Test Farm Network Fence Monitoring system’s reliability makes it an ideal technology to monitor remote blocks, run offs and waterways and it continues to transmit accurate information even when the fence condition is poor.

It is perfect for monitoring multiple paddocks simultaneously and large tracts of land. A total of 50 nodes can be used across one farm network with nodes up to 500 metres apart within line of site. The multi-hope system relays voltage data over long stretches giving producers extensive coverage. Single nodes can also be added supplement the main infrastructure to keep a finger on the pulse of temporary break fencing. Connectivity is a good question. The system communicates via radio frequency. If a farmhouse has internet, the central network gateway can be located within its Wi-Fi range or connected with an ethernet cable and the whole system is brand agnostic which means it can pair with any energizer.

To find out more about Tru-Test Fence Monitoring systems visit your local Elders branch or give the Datamars

Livestock team a call on 1800 641 324