Episode 314 -The Future of Grazing? Brad Tests Virtual Fencing - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
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Show Notes
In this episode, Brad shares his firsthand experience with virtual fencing on the University of Minnesota’s Morris dairy herd. After a long grazing season, he dives into the reasons he began experimenting with NoFence collars, the training process for heifers, and what he learned about costs, labor savings, and animal behavior.
Brad walks listeners through the setup, the challenges of training, and the variation he saw among animals in how quickly they adapted. He highlights both the advantages—like labor efficiency and flexibility—and the limitations, such as collar costs, GPS accuracy, and the need for careful management when mixing groups.
Looking ahead, Brad plans to extend the trial to lactating cows next grazing season, a new frontier for virtual fencing in dairy. He also points to upcoming field days and funding opportunities for farmers curious about adopting the technology.
Virtual fencing, he concludes, may be the future of grazing management—helping reduce labor while improving flexibility on farms.
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