By Alex Naughton
Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) began experimenting with virtual fencing in March.
Using new software and solar-powered collars, LU’s farm staff are evaluating the effectiveness and economic feasibility of virtual fencing technology for small ruminant production.
The collars are small box-shaped devices attached to chains and worn around the animals’ necks, allowing producers to use an app to track their animals and set pasture boundaries without the use of physical fences.
Those boundaries are enforced by an escalating series of noises, which trigger when animals venture too close. If an animal continues to approach a boundary, the collar will administer an electric shock.
“Virtual fencing is a topic that’s creating a lot of buzz in the livestock world right now,” said Chris Boeckmann, superintendent of LU’s farms. “However, there are also a lot of questions and reservations about the technology. Ultimately, producers want to know what the technology has to offer in terms of pasture management and profitability.”
The new collars and supporting software were purchased from Nofence, a Norwegian company specializing in virtual fencing.
Farm staff began by equipping a small group of sheep with collars at LU’s George Washington Carver Farm on March 26. They were joined by Nofence sales representative Daniel Rose, who provided training and technical assistance for the collars.
Source : lincolnu.edu