Monthly sessions run June through October.
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A webinar series will help producers learn how virtual fences can help improve efficiency in livestock grazing. Here, cows wear collars that monitor their movements and send data to the producer’s smartphone. Photo by Kaitlyn Dozler.
FULTON, Mo. – A free webinar series will introduce graziers to technology that uses GPS collars on livestock to create invisible fences.
“Virtual fencing offers producers the flexibility to manage grazing with precision, without the need for physical interior infrastructure,” says Kaitlyn Dozler, virtual fence program manager for University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture. The system is activated by an animal’s movements, like fitness trackers worn by humans. Sensors attached to the cow can send real-time data to the producer’s phone.
The five-part series covers the basics of virtual fencing (June 27), opportunities for grazing on cropland (July 25), intensive grazing on perennial systems (Aug. 29) and pasture nutrient management (Sept. 26). The series concludes Oct. 24 with a session for producers and providers.
“We encourage livestock producers who are looking to enhance their grazing systems to attend this webinar and learn about virtual fence opportunities,” says Chrisee Brandl, MU Extension livestock specialist. “This emerging technology can be a great tool in rotational grazing systems.”
The webinar also will look at opportunities to use virtual fencing on cropland. “Because cover crops and/or crop residues are only available for a limited time of the year, they need to be well managed to get the most out of them. With virtual fence technology, it has never been easier to implement grazing strategies to increase the carrying capacity of these temporary forages,” says MU Extension livestock specialist Shelby Jenkins.
For information and to register for the webinar series, go to http://muext.us/VirtualFenceWebinar.
You can also contact one of the individuals below:
- Chrisee Brandl, 573-642-0755, chriseebrandl@missouri.edu
- Shelby Jenkins, 816-776-6961, shelbyjenkins@missouri.edu
- Kaitlyn Dozler, kaitlyn.dozler@missouri.edu
- Matthew Jenkins, matthew@mocattle.com
The Center for Regenerative Agriculture, MU Extension, the Fertilizer Control Board and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association sponsor the series.