Halter expands ‘1 Year Free’ competition winners, awards four standout farmers
Halter has named four winners of its 1 Year Free competition, after record demand. An exceptional calibre of entries from pasture-based farmers across New Zealand prompted the team to expand the number of winning farms from the originally-planned three.
Two dairy farms and two beef farms will receive a full year of Halter, completely free. This will give them access to the full suite of virtual fencing and farm operating system tools designed to increase productivity, improve farm management efficiency and sustainability.
“The competition response was so positive. Every farm is facing different challenges and the quality of entries this year made it clear there was no way we could choose just three,” said Andrew Fraser, Halter President. “So we chose four.”
The winners will now be fully supported by the Halter team as they onboard and integrate Halter into their day-to-day farming.
Matt and Lynley Wyeth, beef farmers from Wairarapa said in their team’s winning application: “As farmers with a hunger to improve, Halter would be a game-changer across our scale, systems, and standards. With multiple blocks and high stock numbers, labour is stretched. Halter would free us up for higher-value decision-making.”
Helen Elliott, a dairy farmer from Canterbury said: “Halter will add extra confidence. We have pretty strong performance already, but we know there’s always room to improve - Halter would help push results further.”
Mark and Joanne Stevenson, beef farmers from Canterbury, also Halter winners, said: “This is about better feeding, better animal performance, and making our tough terrain easier to manage. Halter will help us optimise pasture production and utilisation alongside animal feeding and productivity.”
Winner Elizabeth Wilding, a dairy farmer from Waikato said: “I run 480 cows on 140ha and use technology to drive every decision. Halter would take my pasture management to the next level. I just keep thinking how lucky I am to be in this position. Halter would help me grow more, waste less, and push performance in a sustainable, future-focused way.”
Launched alongside Fieldays, this is the second year that Halter has offered the competition to dairy and beef farms across the country. Entries are judged on their potential impact, motivation and appetite to embrace Halter innovation on-farm.
Halter is the world’s only "all-in-one" farm operating system, combining virtual fencing, virtual herding, pasture management, reproduction performance, and animal health monitoring. Halter gives more time, tools and insights to be great pasture farmers with happy, healthy stock, and reduced environmental impact.
The winners are:
- Elizabeth Wilding, Dairy farmer, Waikato.
- Matt and Lynley Wyeth, Beef farmers, Wairarapa.
- Helen and Craig Elliott, Dairy farmers, Canterbury
- Mark and Joanne Stevenson, Beef farmers, Canterbury
Notes to editors
- More than 1,000 farmers are using Halter.
- Incorporated in 2016, Halter now has over 300,000 animals being managed with Halter, with customers across New Zealand, Australia, and the US.
- Dairy and beef farmers are using Halter's operating system - smart collars and app - to increase production by growing and harvesting more grass. They are saving significant labour, running more efficient and sustainable farms. They are improving animal health and performance. Halter enables farmers to virtually fence, virtually herd, and proactively monitor the health, fertility and location of their cows.
- Halter is the fastest growing company in New Zealand as recognised by the Deloitte Fast50 index in 2024.
Images
Available for download here.
Available for interview
- Andrew Fraser - President, Halter
- Competition winners
Media contact
Cecilia Paredes, Halter Senior Marketing Manager
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