Using virtual fence to manage livestock in arid and semi-arid rangelands
B. G. Mayer, Amber Dalke, Andrew Antaya, Sarah Noelle, Brett Blum, Carter Blouin, George B. Ruyle, Joslyn K Beard, Aaron Lien
Abstract
• The emergence of virtual fence (VF) as a precision livestock technology presents an opportunity to move beyond physical fences and alter grazing distribution over expansive arid and semi-arid rangelands. • VF can be used to gather and move livestock through a grazing rotation by using passive capture techniques, which enhance predictability and reliability in rotation management. • VF can effectively influence livestock distribution by dividing large, expansive pastures into smaller sub-pastures and help reduce livestock access to riparian ecosystems. • Although preliminary results suggest VF has promise as a dynamic grazing-management tool, more controlled research in the desert Southwest is needed to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the system.