Gallagher’s eShepherd system features solar-powered neckbands that use cellular networks and optional base stations depending on connectivity. Producers can manage the system via mobile device or computer.
Sharl Liebergreen, general manager of eShepherd, says there are number of value propositions virtual fencing technology can provide ranchers.
“There are various reasons for utilizing virtual fencing,” Liebergreen says. “For example, ranchers have environmental concerns, using regenerative ag, rotational grazing, and protecting waterways. We also know in places that have experienced wildfires, there is no fencing infrastructure left. There are also ranchers who have labor concerns, so if you don’t have to be on the ground moving temporary fences frequently, it frees up time to focus on other important aspects of the operation.”
For Henry Burns, a young producer from McAllen, Texas, virtual fencing has worked well for him and supports his goals of being profitable and cutting down his labor costs. Burns runs 300 cow-calf pairs on his family’s ranch located just north of the U.S.-Mexico border. When he came back to the ranch after college, he became interested in high intensity rotational grazing, but ran into some wrecks trying to use poly wire on the dry, sandy soil of south Texas.
“Virtual fencing is a tool that’s very powerful in these higher density rotational systems,” says Burns, who uses eShepard collars. “I think a lot of people get turned off immediately to the idea of having to move cows every day or multiple times a day, and how much work that would be, but this system makes it simple.”
For Burns, he understands the return on investment for him includes being able to run a higher stocking rate than his county’s average, as well as having lower labor inputs as he operates on his own. He also has a young family, and this system allows him more time to dedicate to them while also being confident he knows where his cows are at all times.
“I always say this has like containment of high tensile with the flexibility of poly wire,” Burns adds.
Burns utilizes two base stations about three miles apart due to being in a area with less cellular coverage. He appreciates the long battery life of the eShepard collars.
“I’m moving cattle every three hours,” Burns says. “This is allowing me to get cattle into a smaller space and giving me better forage utilization.”
Burns says using the technology has been easy.
“If you have ever used Google Earth or any type of mapping software, it’s pretty easy to understand,” he says. “You’re just drawing lines on a computer and placing herds within the boundaries.”
The concept of virtual fencing technology has been around for decades but continues to evolve. Virtual fencing uses behavior modification based on audio and electrical cues from a collar device to keep cattle within a virtual boundary using GPS. This geospatial technology uses satellites to pinpoint a location. A virtual fence can also be used to keep animals out of certain areas. The collar can be controlled by a phone, tablet or computer using cellular data.
This is part of a four-part Smart Farming series on virtual fencing companies available in the U.S. — eShepard, Halter, NoFence and Vence.
