Developing an Ear-Born Virtual Fencing System for Livestock
Additional Funding Sources
This project is supported by a 2019-2020 STEM Undergraduate Research Grant from the Higher Education Research Council. This research is supported by the University of idaho Agricultural Research Station.
Presentation Date
7-2020
Abstract
Virtual fencing is a new solution to an old problem, how to manage grazing livestock in a way that is cost effective and minimizes negative environmental impacts. For the past year and a half, I have been a member of a team developing a virtual fencing system for cattle that aspires to be easily implemented and cost competitive with traditional fencing options. While some work by others has focused on use of neck collars similar to perimeter fencing in dogs, our recent testing in cattle has revealed that the ear is more sensitive to electrical stimulus than the neck. An ear-born device should have less adverse impact on normal behavior and will be easier for ranchers to implement because they are familiar with using ear tags/clips. The specific objectives of my SURF research are as follows: 1) establish the location for shock delivery on the ear that maximizes effectiveness with device applicability; 2) determine how environmental conditions will affect the surface of the ear and electrical stimulus delivery; and, 3) compare the animals' response to various shocking patterns to determine the most reliable, consistent and effective way to prompt an animal to leave an exclusion zone and learn to avoid that zone in the near future.
Developing an Ear-Born Virtual Fencing System for Livestock
Virtual fencing is a new solution to an old problem, how to manage grazing livestock in a way that is cost effective and minimizes negative environmental impacts. For the past year and a half, I have been a member of a team developing a virtual fencing system for cattle that aspires to be easily implemented and cost competitive with traditional fencing options. While some work by others has focused on use of neck collars similar to perimeter fencing in dogs, our recent testing in cattle has revealed that the ear is more sensitive to electrical stimulus than the neck. An ear-born device should have less adverse impact on normal behavior and will be easier for ranchers to implement because they are familiar with using ear tags/clips. The specific objectives of my SURF research are as follows: 1) establish the location for shock delivery on the ear that maximizes effectiveness with device applicability; 2) determine how environmental conditions will affect the surface of the ear and electrical stimulus delivery; and, 3) compare the animals' response to various shocking patterns to determine the most reliable, consistent and effective way to prompt an animal to leave an exclusion zone and learn to avoid that zone in the near future.