By Brock Ortner
The Jespersen Feed Yard welcomed local ranchers, producers, and livestock enthusiasts on Tuesday, Aug. 12, for a virtual fence demonstration field day, organized by Halter and the University of Nebraska Extension. The event highlighted practical applications of virtual fencing systems designed to enhance cattle management, improve forage utilization, and reduce labor demands.
The day began with a presentation by Jack Keating, a representative from Halter. Keating provided an in-depth overview of how the system works and its key features. Central to the technology are low-profile collars worn by cattle, which interact with rancher-installed towers capable of covering pastures three to four miles away. Using a smartphone app, as well as compatible tablets and computers, ranchers can draw grazing cells to control the movement of their herd precisely. A virtual fence maintains spatial control of cattle through audio and electrical cues as animals near a cell boundary, deterring animals from straying.
A field session had a herd of approximately 150 cows and calves being guided into a new grazing cell. Demonstrating the precision of the system, the grazing line in the grass was clearly visible, indicative of the comparable control offered by virtual fencing compared to traditional cross-fencing. Participants observed the herd transition to the new cell in a calm, organized manner, caused by a collar vibration providing positive reinforcement.
Source : unl.edu