By Scout Nelson
Virtual fencing systems help manage cattle grazing efficiently. Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln compare communication methods, pasture size limits, maintenance needs, features, costs, to help producers make an informed choice about such systems.
Virtual fencing is becoming an important tool for livestock producers. The technology allows farmers and ranchers to manage cattle grazing without installing large amounts of interior fencing.
Experts Marissa Eekhoff, Virtual Fence Program Field Specialist along with Yijie Xiong, Nebraska Extension Specialist, Precision Livestock Management, Mitch Stephenson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Range Management Specialist, and Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist, combined their expertise to make the evaluations.
How Virtual Fencing Communicates
Virtual fencing systems mainly use three communication methods: local base stations, cellular networks, or satellite communication.
Base-station systems work well for producers who manage large, connected grazing areas. A base station sends radio signals to cattle collars. Systems such as eShepherd and Vence use this type of communication.
A properly placed base station can cover about 2,000 to 10,000 acres. The actual coverage depends on land shape, trees, hills, and the location of the base station. Producers with separate properties may need more than one station.
Cellular systems provide more flexibility. They do not require a base station at every grazing location. This can help producers who use leased land, crop residue, annual forage fields, or several separate pastures.
eShepherd, Monil, and Nofence use cellular communication. These systems can work with multiple major cellular providers and can switch between networks. Service can still be delayed in areas with weak coverage.
Halter offers a satellite communication option. This can be useful in areas where cellular service is limited or unavailable.
Consider the Size of the Grazing Area
Pasture size is another important factor. Producers using intensive grazing methods should check the smallest virtual pasture or allocation that a system can create.
Nofence, eShepherd, Monil, and Halter can create small grazing areas of about one-half acre or less. This allows producers to make smaller and more frequent cattle moves.
Vence is mainly designed for larger, more extensive grazing systems and lists a minimum pasture size of 200 acres.
Maximum pasture size also matters. Nofence lists a maximum of 25,000 acres. Other systems may not list a maximum, but that does not mean they provide unlimited coverage.
Battery and Collar Maintenance
Most virtual fencing collars use solar power to maintain their batteries while cattle are outside. Producers should allow collars to charge before putting them on animals.
Heavy shade from trees can reduce solar charging and may create a need for extra charging. Some systems also offer chargers for their collars.
Vence uses a lithium-ion battery instead of a solar-powered battery. Its battery may need replacement every three months to one year, depending on how often cattle interact with virtual boundaries.
More frequent boundary interaction can increase battery use and maintenance work.
Monitoring Cattle and Grazing
Virtual fencing can provide more than digital boundaries. Many systems show cattle locations on maps and provide heat maps that show where animals spend most of their time.
This information can help producers identify areas that receive too much grazing and areas that cattle use less often. Producers can then adjust grazing allocations to improve pasture use.
Systems may also send alerts when cattle stop moving for a certain period, leave a boundary, return to the boundary area, or have collars with low battery levels.
These alerts can help producers decide which animals need to be checked. However, an inactivity alert does not prove that an animal is sick or explains why it has stopped moving.
Some companies are also developing tools for possible breeding and calving alerts.
Compare Purchase and Lease Costs
Virtual fencing companies generally use either a collar purchase model or a leasing model. Both options usually include ongoing subscription costs for software, communication, or data services.
eShepherd, Monil, and Nofence offer collars for purchase. Buying collars gives producers ownership and may allow them to sell the equipment later.
Some companies change collar prices based on the number purchased. Minimum purchase requirements can also vary, making these systems possible for some smaller herds.
Vence and Halter offer collars through leasing. Leasing may reduce some maintenance and replacement responsibilities, but contracts and minimum collar numbers may apply.
Producers should compare the full cost, including collars, subscriptions, base stations, batteries, maintenance, and contract terms.
Check Ease of Use and Support
A virtual fencing system should also be easy to use. Some systems allow producers to create and change boundaries from a cellphone, while others mainly use a computer.
Before choosing a system, producers should ask for a demonstration. They can see how to create a pasture, change a boundary, locate cattle, and review alerts.
Training and customer support are also important. A system may have advanced features, but it should also be simple enough for everyday use.
Photo Credit: University of Nebraska
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock