Arable and livestock producers can speak to grazing experts and farmers about the opportunities available when utilising virtual fencing to manage livestock grazing across grassland and arable systems at Groundswell 2023, June 28-29, on the Nofence stand in Pasture Field PF-F3.

Farmers on the stand include livestock farmer Hywel Morgan.

For Welsh livestock farmer and Farming Connect mentor Mr Morgan, virtual fencing technology has been pivotal in the ability to utilise livestock for upland habitat regeneration and fire control as part of a commercial beef operation.

Two years ago, Mr Morgan invested in the technology to take advantage of grazing opportunities on 26,000 acres of unfenced common land in the Brecon Beacons. Currently, 40 head of primarily Highland, Highland cross Shorthorn and Shorthorn cross Hereford cows with calves at foot are on the common ground with Nofence collars.

“Nofence has allowed me to improve grazing utilisation and conservation efforts on this vast acreage by containing the herd in virtual pastures that range from 50-250 acres and working with natural water and shelter resources,” he says. “Aside from habitat improvement in this area, the ability to better utilise the common land has allowed me to reduce hay and haylage consumption for a better return on the herd.”

Ecological benefits of cattle in grassland and arable systems

According to John Smout, Sales Manager for Nofence UK, there are multiple benefits to both arable and livestock producers in the ability to manage the grazing of livestock across their systems.

 “Virtual fencing removes the boundaries of physical fencing and allows livestock to be managed anywhere, across any landscape,” he explains.

 In grassland areas with large acreage of unfenced grazing access, it offers huge conservation benefits. Unlike sheep, cattle are less selective grazers and break down standing ground cover such as brush and blackthorn, when grazing.

 “This allows for other forage species to be more competitive and also improves environments for ground nesting birds,” explains Mr Smout. “The ability to set a virtual fencing boundary anywhere also allows grazing to be managed in areas where livestock would typically not graze effectively on their own. One Nofence customer was able to use the technology to graze cattle on an area of an upland farm that had not been grazed in over 100 years.”

 Both arable and grassland farms benefit from the nutrient cycle of livestock consuming plants and turning them into manure for soil health improvement.

Visit Nofence at Groundswell

 Through a combination of GPS, cellular communication and audio signals, Nofence virtual fencing works with animal behaviour to create a virtual fencing perimeter that can be monitored and changed with a smartphone app.

 Along with speaking to farmers using the technology, Groundswell attendees can see the collars and view the Nofence app at the event and speak to company representatives about the suitability for their systems.

Nofence will be on Pasture Field PF-P3.

To learn more about Nofence, visit nofence.co.uk