Supporting Aussie farmers This year, the Coles Nurture Fund awarded more than $3.5 million in grants to 11 small and medium businesses to drive innovation, sustainability and growth. Beef producers, Kent and Michelle Rochester were awarded a $245,000 Coles Nurture Fund grant to expand their eShepherd virtual fencing program. The solar- powered, GPS-enabled neckbands enable precise strip grazing to protect sensitive areas, boosts efficiency by reducing labour and improves safety. K&M Farming Director Kent Rochester said the technology has been a game-changer on the farm. “As a wheelchair farmer myself, being able to manage cattle from an iPad without needing to build fences or be out in the field is huge. We can move the herd, control grazing and protect sensitive areas all while growing more beef with what we’ve got,” he said. coles.com.au/nurturefund
Photo: Kent and Michelle Rochester with their sons at Manypeaks, WA.
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