The introduction of virtual fencing is breaking down barriers for wildlife.
Using GPS tracking systems and specialized cattle collars, virtual fencing technology replaces the function of traditional barbed-wire fencing used for cattle management and benefits ranchers, critical wildlife species, and the ecosystem as a whole.
Welcoming a West without Barbed Wire
The dream of a fence-less west is underway in Central Washington with the rollout of a new virtual fence program. Led by our Sagelands Heritage Program Conservation Northwest is partnering with local ranchers to adopt virtual fencing to manage their herds. The technology replaces the function of barbed wire fencing, which then can be removed (or not replaced after a wildfire). Removing these barriers will help wildlife by connecting habitats for easier migration and making it possible for wildlife to move quickly from an area threatened by fire. Sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, pronghorn, mule deer, elk, and other species benefit from the removal of barbed wire.
In my 31 years working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to help farmers and ranchers improve their operations to benefit wildlife, and now 14 years doing the same kind of work with Conservation Northwest, I have never seen or could imagine such a game-changing technology as virtual fencing. We can now truly reinvent range management which will have unimaginable positive effects on the ability of multiple wildlife species to move safely across the landscape. Ranchers win, habitat connectivity wins, communities win, and the wildlife we all love to see wins.
JAY KEHNE
Sagelands Heritage Associate Director
How Does it Work?
The ease of moving the fence creates more opportunities for rotational grazing, protection of important riparian areas and waterways, and keeping cattle off fire-impacted land to allow recovery. Cattle can even be easily virtually fenced away from specific wildlife areas, such as pygmy rabbit burrows, grouse leks, and even wolf dens.
According to Vence, the company contracted for the pilot project, cattle learn to avoid virtual fence lines quickly and within 72 hours about 95 percent of the collared cattle will have learned to avoid boundaries.
To deter cattle from crossing the virtual fence, they will hear a beeping noise when coming close to a barrier and will receive a small shock if they cross over. The shock is milder than if the cow were to touch a traditional electrical fence.
Fence lines act as a one-way gate, so cows do not receive the shocking stimulus when returning inside the fence to rejoin the rest of the herd. The lightweight devices also relay real-time data on individual cow locations, giving ranchers the ability to monitor the well-being of the herd as they graze.
A More Affordable Alternative
Virtual fencing greatly benefits the ability of wildlife to move across the landscape while being a wise investment for the ranchers. According to Vence, virtual fences cut herd management labor costs by about 25 percent and can increase cattle stocking numbers by 10 to 15% increasing rancher’s bottom line.
Replacing barbed wire with virtual fencing also eliminates maintenance and replacement costs in the event of a fire. Many ranchers lost hundreds of miles in the Pearl Hill and Cold Springs Fires. To replace a mile of fence materials and labor costs about $25,000/mile.
While this project is in its early stages, Conservation Northwest staff are helping track its success and troubleshoot any issues as they arise. The first phase of this pilot project is funded by Conservation Northwest, a local rancher, and the Okanogan Conservation District. Additional projects will likely be funded by federal grants and money allocated in the Shrub-steppe Fire Recovery and Preparedness Proviso funded by the Washington Legislature to help restore areas burned by the Cold Springs, Pearl Hill, and Whitney fires.
We are excited about the potential virtual fencing has to help protect, connect, and restore wildlife habitat by making quality livestock stewardship easier and cheaper. We can also better our relationships with local ranchers by partnering in practical ways on the ground, enabling coexistence with wildlife.
Traditional barbed-wiring causes more issues than the effectiveness they offer. They are costly to maintain or replace once decrepit and are dangerous physical barriers for migratory wildlife.
These 20 ft. signal towers cover up to 10,000 acres of range, allowing range managers to sync and track all their cattle collars in a centralized system.
Conservation Northwest staff are on the ground helping track its success and troubleshoot any issues as they arise. The first phase of this pilot project began in 2022 and was funded by Conservation Northwest, a local rancher, and the Okanogan Conservation District. Additional projects will likely be funded by federal grants and money allocated in the Shrub-steppe Fire Recovery and Preparedness Proviso funded by the Washington Legislature to help restore areas burned by the Cold Springs, Pearl Hill, and Whitney fires.
We are excited about the potential virtual fencing has to help protect, connect, and restore wildlife habitat by making quality livestock stewardship easier and cheaper. We can also better our relationships with local ranchers by partnering in practical ways on the ground, enabling coexistence with wildlife.
