A virtual fence for the V6 is coming
What is a virtual fence? I have not yet installed one. But the benefits in my mind so far outweigh its shortcomings, and I believe this concept will revolutionize the way we manage all our grazing animals.
So how is this virtual fence possible? New technology! Starlink is making virtual grazing a reality through GPS systems. Now how does it work? First, I will have to run my cows through our squeeze chute and place a G.P.S collar around their neck. Next, I will have to have a reliable source of drinking water and a distribution system as the virtual fence will keep the cattle living together more closely. So, water must be supplied reliably and at a rate that makes sure all the ants, honeybees, birds, and cattle get all they can drink. With help from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), I will be able to build out this water distribution system to supplement the existing supply that allowed me to graze my cattle in pastures that were always several thousand acres in size. With my new ability to control my livestock with a virtual fence, I'm able to graze my livestock like the grazing Buffalo were managed by Mother Nature.
Mother Nature used predators like Wolves, Coyotes, and Mountain Lions to keep herds gathered in large numbers for safety, and the predators were happy to live off the sick, lame, and the lazy that the herd put out on the perimeter. This method creates a certain amount of competition in the grazing herd reducing selective grazing and it also got a fresh coat of manure, urine and a haircut. Then, the grazing animals moved to new places to graze and the last area had a chance to rest till the next season when the Buffalo were welcomed back. In the holistic management world, this management system is called Herd Effect and it’s very powerful for the health of the soil. So virtual fencing now allows me to react on a daily basis to where and when my grazing herd should be and for how long.
This new technology will not eliminate the cowboy! It just gives us a way to make daily changes to grazing patterns while also acomplishing all the other tasks it takes to run a ranch. It also will help with finding cattle on our very steep, brushy, terrain that is easy to get lost in. Since we will be having calves, it will be important that we keep very close track of the herd. We will be placing the collars on heifers and breeding them. Our family of cowboys will still ride through the cattle constantly, making sure they are heathy, happy, and having no birth complications. We just received our first 50 head of heifers and are excited to test it out!
See yah,
Jack