Virtual fencing is a way of invisibly fencing in grazing animals so that they can move and be confined without physical fencing. Virtual fencing works via GPS collars and a smartphone app, as well as via the animals' learned response to sound signals and electrical impulses. There are four major providers of virtual fences on the market (Nofence, eShepherd, Vence and Halter). When an animal approaches the virtual fence, an acoustic warning signal is triggered. If the animal ignores the acoustic warning, a slight electrical stimulus follows when the virtual fence is crossed. How an individual animal reacts to the virtual fence depends on its character, herd instinct and the available grazing space. Some animals are not suitable for grazing with virtual fences. Virtual fences do not cause more stress for the animals than conventional electric fences. Pasture planning and the available grazing area play an important role in the performance of the virtual fence, the number of acoustic warnings, the number of electrical stimuli and the number of escapes outside the virtual fence. The virtual fence has a number of advantages over conventional electric fences from the point of view of animals, farmers and the environment. Virtual fences are a way of allowing cows to graze in areas that are difficult to access, allow better control and improve pasture quality. The use of virtual fences would also be very interesting and useful for our farm.
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