North Dakota State University Extension specialists outlined on April 28 the considerations and benefits of using virtual fencing as a tool for grazing management.
The topic is important as many ranchers are exploring new ways to manage livestock efficiently while reducing labor and costs. Virtual fencing offers an alternative to traditional physical fences by using GPS-enabled collars and digital boundaries, which can enhance flexibility in pasture management.
Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist, said, “While design and connectivity can vary by vendor, virtual fencing systems work through the same principles.” Meehan explained that these systems use GPS devices fitted to livestock that communicate with online platforms via cellular service or towers. The technology allows ranchers to set boundaries digitally, moving or containing animals as needed. Management cues such as auditory tones and electrical signals are used when animals approach or cross set boundaries. Electrical cues are limited for animal welfare purposes.
Meehan also said, “With varying cellular coverage, you must consider signal coverage and strength when selecting a virtual fence platform.” Some systems use radio connections requiring base stations or towers with range limitations due to terrain. Battery life varies depending on usage but can last from several months up to an entire grazing season.
Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension rangeland management specialist, recommended considering additional infrastructure needs before implementing a system. He said, “While virtual fence does not replace the need for a perimeter fence, it does give ranchers the flexibility to resize and change pastures without any additional materials or labor. It is important to understand how different virtual fence systems would impact the multiyear economics of your operation.”
Research at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that within annual forage systems, virtual fencing was just as effective as conventional polywire fencing under strip-grazing practices. The reduction in physical interior fences also decreases risks for wildlife injuries while expanding conservation opportunities beyond herd management goals.
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Further information about implementing this technology is available through NDSU Extension’s “Grazing with Virtual Fence” publication.
