Virtual Fencing Information
Overview of Virtual Fencing
Virtual fence (VF) is a precision livestock management tool that creates an enclosure, barrier, or boundary without a physical fence. VF allows real-time automation of grazing management from a smartphone or computer. Livestock are fit with a collar that generates audio warnings and electrical stimuli.
GPS in the collar continuously tracks animal position and checks this against the virtual boundaries set by the producer. As an animal approaches the boundary, a series of audio warnings are delivered. If the animal does not turn away, the collar delivers an electrical pulse.
VF aids in the adoption of regenerative grazing. This technology can be applied in many different management scenarios:
- Rotational grazing
- Bale grazing
- Cover crop grazing on row crop acres
- CRP grazing
- Grassed waterways and ditches
- Weed control
- Woodlands, silvopasture
- Public land grazing
- River corridors and floodplains
- Reduce fuel loads for wildfire mitigation
- Post-fire grazing
- Solar grazing
Reference: Goliński P, Sobolewska P, Stefańska B, Golińska B. Virtual Fencing Technology for Cattle Management in the Pasture Feeding System—A Review. Agriculture. 2023; 13(1):91. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13010091
Resources
An interactive tool that helps producers estimate the return on adopting virtual fencing collars — also embedded on the program webpage.
This tool allows users to compare the cost of every virtual fence supplier in the U.S. as well as the cost of physical fence.
Use this graphic to help you decide if virtual fencing is a good option for you.
This selection of research articles is designed to offer information on the benefits and efficacy of using virtual fence collars.
This online tool/app can be used to calcuate the available forage in a cover crop and the amount of space needed for your livestock to graze.
This worksheet can be used to calculate the available forage in a pasture and the amount of space needed for your livestock to graze.
Soil Health School!
The 2026 Soil Health School is set for September 15-17 near Twin Brooks and Marvin, SD.
Registration Open for 2026 Soil Health School!
The 2026 Soil Health School is set for September 15-17 near Twin Brooks and Marvin, SD.
News & Events
Darling Creek Ranch Named 2026 SD Leopold Award Winner
Sand County Foundation Dan and Sharon Anderson’s Darling Creek Ranch has been selected as the 2026 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award® recipient. The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil...
Building operational resilience with soil health
By Stan Wise South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – Resilience. It’s one of the prizes that keeps conservation-minded land managers striving for improved soil health. Operational resilience in the face of floods, market fluctuations, rising input costs,...
Awards Announced at Soil Health Conference
During the Tenth Annual Soil Health Conference, Jan. 13-14 in Aberdeen, SD, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition announced the winners of its two annual awards as well as the winners of its student essay and video contests. Doug Sieck was named the 2026 Legacy Award...