By Alice McFarlane

Virtual fencing an option for cattle in pasture

May 31, 2022 | 4:07 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — The use of virtual fencing is being investigated as an option for grazing livestock.

Saskatchewan Range Management extension specialist Andre Bonneau said the technology is very similar to a dog collar.

“It’s basically a collar, power unit, GPS unit, and some type of a system to administer a shock on the animal’s neck,” Bonneau said. “The idea here is that the ranch manager will put up a virtual fence across their pasture and as the cow is traveling that pasture and she approaches the virtual fence, she’ll get an audible signal warning her that she’s getting close to that fence.”

Bonneau said when the cow approaches the fence, she will get a light shock on her neck. At that point, the cow can turn around and go back with the rest of the herd or she could cross the fence.

“The nice thing here is the shocks will stop after a predetermined number of shocks and she can come back into that paddock if and when she’s ready, without getting another shock or getting the audible signal,” he said.

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The technology can eliminate all cross fencing, but Bonneau said the perimeter fence should remain in place. A producer can start developing flexible grazing management plans without putting money into fenceposts and barbed wire.

Bonneau said virtual fencing would work well in forested area where cows don’t normally go.

“We know cows don’t like to go deep into forested areas because the forage tends to be a lot thinner. With this system, we can push them into those areas, get them to graze the forage that we want them to and then pull them out again,” Bonneau said.

The technology can also be used to locate livestock in large pasture areas as each collar would have its own ID read through the computer.

“Before you leave the house, you can tell exactly where those cows are. If you have a cow missing or if you look on your maps and you see an animal all by itself somewhere, you know where she is and you know where to find her and you can find out what the problem is,” Bonneau said.

Another benefit of this system is protecting sensitive areas.

“We don’t like to graze riparian areas early in the year but if the pasture has a creek running through the middle of it, now we can fence it off with a virtual fence and keep most of the cows, if not all of the cows, out of it,” he said. “Then in the fall, we can start using that riparian area for grazing after the ground has stabilized and the potential for damage is a lot lower.”

Bonneau said virtual fencing can be used during a roundup. If the cows are on rough pasture the virtual fencing can move them back towards headquarters or the corrals or back to the yard without running around with a horse or an ATV.

“It’s a lot less stressful on the animal, a lot more time efficient and much more pleasant for everyone”. Bonneau said.

The Minister of Agriculture will be taking a closer look at these systems and will compile the information.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW