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>Virtual fences keep the cows in designated areas, While the idea of vibrating collars to steer cattle makes me uneasy (what comes next?), I am somewhat hopefu

>Virtual fences keep the cows in designated areas, While the idea of vibrating collars to steer cattle makes me uneasy (what comes next?), I am somewhat hopeful this can address the issue of barbed wire fences. Interestingly, the idea of remotely controlling cattle was discussed several years ago in an article outlining the the issues with fences: https://prairieecologist.com/2015/03/17/hubbard-fellowship-blog-the-trouble-with-fences/ https://prairieecologist.com/2015/03/17/hubbard-fellowship-b...

DyslexicAtheist 5y ago
there is no way a vibrating collar will stop a cow in doing what they want to do. Cows are herd animal meaning they fight to establish rank. There is no way 2 cows close to a fence can be stopped from breaching the fence, no matter if it's barbed wire or if the fence carries 20K Volts. They will walk right through it - or better push each other right through it during a fight. Not even an electric shock would stop them and a vibration collar even less.
- freedomben 5y ago
  I can confirm, numerous times I've seen cows grazing or even running with barbed wire and fence posts dragging behind them. When they've decided they want to do something, it's pretty hard to stop them.
  - chris_wot 5y ago
    I don’t think the point of the collar is to stop a cow going somewhere stupid, but rather to influence them to move to feeding areas and milking stations. If a cow automatically moves to the right area then they don’t have to be herded. This reduces time. Some cows will likely need encouragement but it sounds like this reduces not only time, but stress on the livestock. Fences are still likely needed.
markdown 5y ago
What's wrong with barbed wire fences?
- chris1993 5y ago
  Expensive to maintain and injure stock.
  - jessaustin 5y ago
    Barbed wire fence is cheaper and easier to build than e.g. chain-link fence or welded pipe fence. It doesn't injure cattle. I have seen horses injured by barbed wire, but horses are sort of a special case.
- glenngillen 5y ago
  They’re a real pain to move. The article barely covers the myriad benefits of being able to have a collar like this to do virtual herding/fences: * more flexible and appropriate sizing of grazing areas based on current herd size and where the grass is literally greenest * the above can also increase dairy yield per sq/m by a considerable amount (I can’t recall the exact numbers I was quoted) * multiple startups I’ve spoken to in this area also think they’ll be able to use on device biometric sensors to detect when cows need to urinate. Before that happens herd them to dedicated area or drainage pans. Again expected increases in yields and less pasture damage. * biometrics also provide early indicators of potential health issues. Nothing wrong with wire fences though. They’ve clearly worked fine for over a hundred years.
- h2odragon 5y ago
  Insurance companies have started requiring folks to remove them or pay extra for liability coverage from them. Someone told me the cost difference was worth swapping to electric fences and losing up to 6 cattle a year. I don't think they're accounting for who gets sued when their cows wander into the highway, tho.

DyslexicAtheist 5y ago

there is no way a vibrating collar will stop a cow in doing what they want to do. Cows are herd animal meaning they fight to establish rank. There is no way 2 cows close to a fence can be stopped from breaching the fence, no matter if it's barbed wire or if the fence carries 20K Volts. They will walk right through it - or better push each other right through it during a fight. Not even an electric shock would stop them and a vibration collar even less.

freedomben 5y ago
I can confirm, numerous times I've seen cows grazing or even running with barbed wire and fence posts dragging behind them. When they've decided they want to do something, it's pretty hard to stop them.
- chris_wot 5y ago
  I don’t think the point of the collar is to stop a cow going somewhere stupid, but rather to influence them to move to feeding areas and milking stations. If a cow automatically moves to the right area then they don’t have to be herded. This reduces time. Some cows will likely need encouragement but it sounds like this reduces not only time, but stress on the livestock. Fences are still likely needed.

markdown 5y ago

What's wrong with barbed wire fences?

chris1993 5y ago
Expensive to maintain and injure stock.
- jessaustin 5y ago
  Barbed wire fence is cheaper and easier to build than e.g. chain-link fence or welded pipe fence. It doesn't injure cattle. I have seen horses injured by barbed wire, but horses are sort of a special case.
glenngillen 5y ago
They’re a real pain to move. The article barely covers the myriad benefits of being able to have a collar like this to do virtual herding/fences: * more flexible and appropriate sizing of grazing areas based on current herd size and where the grass is literally greenest * the above can also increase dairy yield per sq/m by a considerable amount (I can’t recall the exact numbers I was quoted) * multiple startups I’ve spoken to in this area also think they’ll be able to use on device biometric sensors to detect when cows need to urinate. Before that happens herd them to dedicated area or drainage pans. Again expected increases in yields and less pasture damage. * biometrics also provide early indicators of potential health issues. Nothing wrong with wire fences though. They’ve clearly worked fine for over a hundred years.
h2odragon 5y ago
Insurance companies have started requiring folks to remove them or pay extra for liability coverage from them. Someone told me the cost difference was worth swapping to electric fences and losing up to 6 cattle a year. I don't think they're accounting for who gets sued when their cows wander into the highway, tho.