INS 1-4 - Virtual fences provide economic and conservation benefits - a landowners perspective

A main purpose of fencing is to keep livestock within intended pastures, so producers can efficiently manage their grazing resources. Yet, maintaining fencing is time-consuming, expensive, and depending on specifications, has consequences to wildlife and ecological processes. Virtual fencing is a relatively new management system that creates invisible fence lines, using GPS technology. Virtual fencing controls livestock grazing and movements which benefits producers through economic gains. Without actual fence lines on the landscape, it minimizes impacts to wildlife and ecological processes and relieves maintenance requirements. Here, we discuss preliminary results for one cattle operation and its utility for rural communities.