By Scout Nelson
Virtual fencing is becoming a useful tool for livestock producers who want more flexible ways to manage their animals. Traditional fencing requires time, labor, and regular maintenance.
Installing physical fences can also be difficult in areas with thick trees, brush, uneven land, or invasive plants. Virtual fencing offers another option by allowing producers to create livestock boundaries using GPS technology.
Marissa Eekhoff, Virtual Fence Program Field Specialist, and Yijie Xiong, Nebraska Extension Specialist in Precision Livestock Management, provided information about how virtual fencing works and how producers can use it to manage sheep and goats.
The technology combines GPS tracking, sound signals, and mild electric pulses to keep animals within boundaries created through a phone or computer application.
Virtual fencing works through GPS tracking, sound signals, and mild electric signals. Producers create grazing boundaries using a mobile phone or computer application. When an animal approaches the digital boundary, the collar first provides an audio signal.
If the animal continues moving beyond the boundary, the collar delivers a mild electric signal. Over time, livestock learn to respond to the sound and remain within the designated area.
The technology is especially useful for sheep and goats because these animals are often used for vegetation management. They can successfully graze in areas with thick brush, invasive plants, trees, and rough landscapes.
Installing traditional fences in such environments often requires significant time, labor, and expense. Virtual fencing removes many of these challenges and allows producers to move livestock quickly and easily between grazing areas.
Another major advantage is the ability to monitor animals in real time. The GPS system allows producers to view the location of each animal through an app. If an animal stops moving for an unusual length of time or leaves the designated area, the system can send notifications. This feature helps producers locate animals more efficiently and respond quickly to potential problems.
Virtual fencing also supports mixed-species grazing systems. Many farms raise both cattle and small ruminants. Using virtual fences makes it easier to separate or combine species based on grazing goals, animal needs, and pasture conditions. Mixed-species grazing can help control unwanted plants, improve pasture use, and support overall pasture health when proper stocking rates and recovery periods are followed.
The technology may also create opportunities for producers who do not own large amounts of land. Virtual fencing makes it easier to move animals between locations without installing permanent fences. This flexibility can be valuable for businesses that provide targeted grazing services to manage weeds, brush, and unwanted vegetation on different properties.
A practical example comes from a Nebraska producer, Ellen Trahan, who discussed her experience in a BeefWatch podcast. She explained that virtual fencing helps move goats between customer properties without the need to install or repair fences at every location. This approach improves mobility and allows grazing services to operate more efficiently.
Virtual fencing may also assist with pasture-based parasite management. While the technology does not directly prevent parasites, it makes it easier to move animals onto fresh grazing areas. Regular movement can reduce exposure to parasite larvae that often accumulate in heavily grazed locations. Better grazing rotation practices may contribute to healthier flocks and herds.
At present, virtual fencing options for sheep and goats remain limited in the United States. Two companies currently provide collar systems designed for small ruminants: HerdStreet and NoFence. Both systems use solar-powered collars, cellular connections, audio signals, and electric signals to guide livestock movement.
HerdStreet offers collars at $189 each, with an annual subscription fee of $48 per collar. The company does not require a minimum collar order, making its system accessible to producers with smaller herds.
NoFence offers different collar prices based on order quantity. Orders of 5 to 24 collars cost $249 per collar, while orders of 25 to 99 collars cost $229 each. Producers purchasing 100 or more collars pay $199 per collar.
The first-year subscription is included with the collar purchase. After the first year, the annual subscription costs $65 per collar for orders of 5 to 24 collars, $55 for orders of 25 to 249 collars, and $45 for orders of 250 or more collars. However, producers must purchase at least five collars to place an order.
Despite its benefits, virtual fencing has challenges. Cost remains one of the most important considerations. The average collar costs around $220, and users typically pay additional annual subscription fees for software access and cellular connectivity. Producers must evaluate whether the benefits justify the investment for their operations.
Sheep producers also face an additional management task. Wool around the neck generally needs to be sheared before collars are attached. Proper contact helps ensure animals can receive both audio and electric signals when approaching boundaries.
For more information about virtual fencing and its use in sheep and goat operations, producers can contact Marissa Eekhoff at 402-472-7379.
Photo Credit: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock, Goats & Sheep