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In just two weeks, at the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit in Fort Worth, Halter returns with a year of major milestones and rapid adoption across the U.S. beef industry. What started as a small New Zealand start‑up has quickly expanded to partnerships with 250 ranchers across 24 states, gaining real‑world insight from diverse grazing systems, climates, and management styles.

Their growth - reinforced by new funding and recognition from TIME - has been driven by deep engagement with producers and continuous learning in the field. In this interview, Halter shares the breakthroughs behind their momentum, how virtual fencing is reshaping modern ranching, and what they’re most excited to explore with the Animal AgTech community in Fort Worth.

Since joining us in Dallas last year, what have been the biggest milestones or breakthroughs for Halter?

"One of the biggest breakthroughs for us has been true market penetration across the western U.S. Halter now partnered with 250 ranchers across 24 states, and we’ve live on more than 300 ranches nationally. That’s been a big step forward. 

Beyond the numbers, what’s been most valuable for us has been the learning. Ranching varies by state, by climate, by grazing systems, and by labor challenges. Being active across all of those different environments has given us a wide breadth of use cases and real-world feedback that feeds directly into product development. This diversity has made the product stronger.

A year ago, we were still largely unknown, a company coming in from New Zealand. Since then, we’ve spent a lot of time in the community, sitting at kitchen tables with ranchers, listening and learning. The conversation has shifted from “why do I need virtual fencing when I already have fences?” to “how can this help me run a better grazing program?” That shift has been a major milestone for us."

What does this latest funding round and TIME recognition mean for your mission and next stage of growth?

"For our mission, it reinforces that virtual fencing is entering a new phase of growth. Ranchers are quickly adopting the technology and Halter is playing a leading role in defining how it works in commercial beef systems. 

This funding allows us to keep investing in continuing to learn and grow in the US across different ranching operations and terrain, in the product and expand our team on the ground, working alongside ranchers every day. A lot of the improvements in the system come directly from time spent in the pasture. We’ve invested heavily in our support team, 24/7 US-based coverage, dedicated Territory Managers in every region, and fast response times."

How do you see your technology shaping the future of livestock?

"Virtual fencing offers ranching operations the ability to do more with less labor. This has proven to be critical in the U.S. from a grazing management perspective.

Halter is a tool that allows you to completely rethink how you graze and manage your land. Without the traditional constraints, capital tied up in physical fencing, labor limitations, the time it takes to move cattle, you have a lot more flexibility in how you operate.

Over time, that means more productive acres and better land management. When you can manage grazing more closely, you can protect pasture health and make better use of what you’ve got."

Looking ahead to Animal AgTech Fort Worth 2026, what are you most excited to share or explore with the community?

"We’re excited to continue building on the connections and relationships that began at this event last year.

A lot has changed since then. We’ve learned a lot, grown our team, and Halter is live on ranches across 24 states. Those learnings have directly shaped our innovation and product development, and they continue to inform the work we do every day.

What matters most to Halter is staying close to the industry: continuing to learn, exchange ideas, and listen to some of the hardest-working and most experienced people in ranching. Those conversations are at the heart of everything we do, and they’re what keep us improving."

Finally, what advice would you give to other agtech start-ups looking to build momentum and connect with the right partners?

"Spend time in the field. Invest the time to be out with ranchers and producers, sitting at kitchen tables, walking pastures, and go deep on how they operate and what they’re trying to achieve.

From there, the question becomes: as a tool, how do you actually provide value? If you focus on that and build genuine relationships, the right partnerships tend to follow."

Join us April 8-9, 2026 at the Hilton Fort Worth - and meet the Halter team in person - Click here to secure your ticket