Ranchers in Nevada are using virtual fencing technology to manage cattle grazing and protect rangelands. Traditionally, ranchers used barbed wire and physical fence posts to control livestock. Now, with help from University of Nevada, Reno researchers, some ranchers are testing GPS-based virtual fencing systems. These systems allow ranchers to guide cattle remotely with software, reducing the need for physical barriers.
The technology lets ranch managers plan specific grazing rotations. Experts from the University’s Extension and Experiment Station units say this helps maintain ecosystem health. By controlling grazing areas, ranchers can protect riparian zones, improve forage for wildlife, and lower wildfire risks. Paul Meiman, an Extension state specialist and professor at the University, says virtual fencing is now practical for working rangelands and offers more options for ranchers and land agencies.
Agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service support these efforts. Meiman and his team have worked with ranches to test virtual fencing on large areas in Nevada. At Maggie Creek Ranch in Elko, Meiman and ranch manager Jon Griggs trained 200 yearling heifers with GPS collars and digital boundaries. The system uses audio cues and mild pulses to keep cattle within set areas. The herd adapted to the system in about three days…