24 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN September 2024 rotational grazing or strip grazing. It frees them up to do something else on the farm rather than worrying so much about fencing.” This allows producers the flexibility to change their fencing virtually overnight. “The grazing zones don’t have to be permanent,” Stephenson says. “If the needs or goals of your operation change, you can move those cattle within hours. This means you don’t have to go into the field and move electric fencing or other temporary grazing boundaries.” According to research, cattle positively react to the use of virtual fencing. “We found that cattle learn to adapt quickly to the cues they are given to make them aware of the boundaries,” Stephenson says. “We also found that when producers move boundaries, the cattle will follow them and move across the pasture readily. They start associating the cues from the collar with the boundaries and learn to adapt quickly.” Challenges of Virtual Fencing While virtual fencing might be the golden ticket for some operations, it is not always the right fit for others. Producers should consider several factors before investing in new technology, and virtual fencing is no different. “One of the biggest limitations for some smaller operations to adopt virtual fencing is the cost,” Xiong says. The cost per collar can range from $150 to $300, which can be too expensive for some operations. However, some companies will rent collars.” The average cost to rent collars ranges from $40 to $100 per collar. Producers who rent must also subscribe to the online platform to manage their virtual fencing boundaries and settings. Most cattle operations are generally in rural areas that cannot provide reliable cellular service. “Typically, virtual fencing programs require a cellular or Wi-Fi connection to operate,” Xiong says. “There is the option to buy a base station, but that would add $5,000 to $12,000 to the overall cost of the system.” Even if producers can swing the cost of the base station, it might not solve their problems. “You have to have some kind of signal to move the data back and forth between the collars and the software device like a computer or tablet,” Stephenson says. “Often, even a base station may not get the job done, depending on the operation’s topography. If there is mountainous or hilly terrain, the base station may not reach every area of the location.” Other Considerations Stephenson mentions that many producers were concerned about the durability of the collars that cattle wear to track their location. “Cattle can be hard on equipment by nature, so collars can get broken and fall off in the field,” Stephenson says. “Also, general wear and tear will be a challenge over time as cattle wear their collars longer.” However, there are ways to increase the virtual fencing collar’s lifespan. “Their durability depends on how the collar was fitted on the cow,” Xiong says. “It also depends on what material they are made of and whether it’s weatherproof. It does happen, of course, because cattle are curious creatures that will try to rub. However, we have seen good results from certain collars that last longer than others.” Another concern among early users of this technology included the collar’s battery life. “Battery life depends on the type of battery your collar uses,” Xiong says. “It also depends on what you do with the software and how much data you gather from the herd. The more data you gather, the shorter your battery life will be.” The most common battery type, lithium batteries, should last six months to one year. Some companies offer a solution when the batteries die. “You can utilize the company’s battery replacement program if they have one,” Xiong says. “They will be part of the rental agreement, or you could draw up a contract if you bought your collars.” Battery life can also be affected by the frequency of GPS locating, sound alarm and electrical shock. On the forefront of cutting-edge technology, some virtual fencing companies are leaning toward solar energy to make their collars more sustainable. “The collars will have one or two solar panels on it to generate energy rather than having to replace batteries,” Stephenson says. “Sometimes producers can’t always get to their cattle right away to change the battery on a collar because of time restraints or because of the location of the cattle.” Effectiveness can also be a challenge. It all depends on the type, sensitivity and accuracy of the GPS sensor used in the collar. A recent study conducted in Oregon showed that cattle stayed within the virtual fenced area 96 percent of the time on the first day and were not outside the boundaries very much. The virtual fence was proven to be effective in manipulating where cattle grazed and significantly reduced grazing pressure in a burned area of the pastures included in the study. Xiong warns against using virtual fencing as the only boundary. “We want producers to understand that virtual fencing isn’t foolproof,” Xiong says. “We recommend that producers still have physical fencing on the perimeter of their property so that their cattle are protected. Also, this will give you more liability coverage in case cattle accidentally get out and cause a car accident.” Producers should always consider their operation’s needs and goals before adopting any new technology. ~NC~ BREAKING BOUNDARIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
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