OFCP Round 3 for Livestock and Grazing Farms

Why does on-farm connectivity matter for livestock operations?

Extensive livestock enterprises manage animals across large areas that often lack adequate monitoring infrastructure. The cost of mustering to check on animal location, water point status, or fence integrity on a large cattle or sheep station can represent a significant proportion of annual operating costs. Real-time connectivity transforms reactive management into proactive oversight.

Up to $100,000 Maximum OFCP Round 3 grant per eligible livestock or grazing producer for on-farm connectivity infrastructure

Virtual fencing technology — systems that use GPS collars and audio/vibration cues to control livestock movement without physical fences — is one of the most transformative connectivity investments available to extensive grazing operations. OFCP Round 3 can fund the connectivity backbone that makes virtual fencing viable across large property areas.

What OFCP-eligible infrastructure suits livestock and grazing farms?

Livestock GPS tracking — individual animal or mob-level GPS collars and ear tags with satellite or LoRaWAN backhaul, enabling real-time location data via a farm management platform
Virtual fencing systems — GPS collar systems that enable paddock management and controlled grazing without physical fencing, backed by a connected hub infrastructure
Remote water point monitoring — tank level sensors, trough float sensors, and pump status monitors transmitting in real time to alert stockpeople to failures before animals are affected
Livestock health monitoring hardware — bolus sensors, accelerometers, or temperature sensors in collars or ear tags that flag early signs of illness or calving
Satellite broadband upgrade — backbone connectivity for remote properties that cannot currently support real-time data from livestock management systems

Water point failures Remote water point failure is one of the leading causes of livestock losses on extensive properties — connected monitoring can provide early warning that physical inspection cannot

Which regions have the greatest need for livestock connectivity infrastructure?

The greatest connectivity investment need is in Australia's extensive grazing regions where terrestrial mobile coverage is absent or unreliable:

Western Queensland — Channel Country, Mitchell Grass Downs, Maranoa
Northern Territory — Top End and Barkly Tablelands pastoral zone
Western Australia — Pilbara, Kimberley, and eastern Wheatbelt pastoral areas
New South Wales — western plains and far west sheep and cattle properties
South Australia — Far North pastoral zone and Flinders Ranges

$10.2 million Total OFCP Round 3 national funding pool — livestock producers compete with all other primary production types

How should a livestock producer frame their OFCP Round 3 application?

Livestock and grazing applications are strongest when they quantify the operational problem in concrete terms. A beef producer in western Queensland might document the weekly mustering cost to check on cattle in a remote paddock, calculate the annual spend on water point inspections that a monitoring system would eliminate, or reference a previous dry season event where late identification of water failure caused stock losses. These operational stories ground the application in real farm economics.

OFCP Round 3 for livestock farms — frequently asked questions

Is virtual fencing hardware eligible under OFCP Round 3?

Virtual fencing systems that use GPS collars and a connectivity backbone to manage livestock movement are a recognised on-farm connectivity infrastructure category. The hardware — collars, base stations, connectivity hub, and installation — would typically be eligible. Software subscription components are generally not eligible OFCP expenditure.

Can a sheep and cropping mixed enterprise apply for OFCP Round 3 for both livestock and cropping connectivity?

A mixed enterprise can include both livestock and cropping connectivity components in a single OFCP Round 3 application if the total project is presented as an integrated on-farm connectivity system. Applications should clearly describe how each component serves the primary production enterprise and stays within eligible infrastructure categories.

Does OFCP Round 3 cover the cost of fencing contractors who install virtual fence base stations?

Professional installation costs are generally eligible where they are a necessary part of establishing connectivity infrastructure. Installation of virtual fencing base stations and gateway equipment by qualified contractors would typically qualify as eligible installation expenditure.

Can a beef cattle producer use OFCP funding for a drone base station that uploads aerial images from paddock surveys?

Connectivity infrastructure that receives and transmits data from aerial monitoring systems may form part of an eligible project. The drone itself would not be eligible, but the ground-based communications hub that connects aerial survey data to a farm management platform could be within scope. Confirm specifics with DAFF.

Is the NT pastoral zone eligible for OFCP Round 3?

Northern Territory pastoral producers are eligible for OFCP Round 3 on the same terms as other Australian producers. The NT pastoral zone — including major cattle-producing regions like the Barkly Tablelands and Victoria River District — is one of the most underserved areas for connectivity in Australia, making it a strong fit for OFCP-type investment.

OFCP Round 3 for livestock and grazing enterprises