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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #427896
Research Project: Knowledge Systems and Tools to Increase the Resilience and Sustainability of Western Rangeland Agriculture

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Foundations of Virtual Fencing: Specifics on collar deployment by company

Author
item AUDOIN, FLAVIE - University Of Arizona
item ALLEN, BRIAN - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service
item ANTAYA, ANDREW - South Dakota State University
item Macon, Lara
item MULLINIKS, TRAVIS - Oregon State University

Submitted to: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2025
Publication Date: 12/1/2025
Citation: Audoin, F., Allen, B., Antaya, A., Macon, L.K., Mulliniks, T. 2025. Foundations of Virtual Fencing: Specifics on collar deployment by company. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Article eaz2175.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A virtual fence (VF) system typically consists of three main components: (1) a software interface that allows users to draw VF lines and define boundary zones on a digital map, establishing designated grazing areas and exclusion zones; (2) a GPS-enabled collar fitted around an animal’s neck, equipped with technology to track movement and deliver auditory and electrical cues to guide or restrict livestock distribution; and (3) base stations and/or cellular towers that facilitate communication between the software and the collars (Antaya et al., 2024; Ehlert et al., 2024). As of December 2025, 4 VF systems are commercially available in the United States. These trademarked systems include: eShepherd by Gallagher, Halter, Nofence, and Vence by Merck Animal Health. VF components from different manufacturers are typically not compatible or interchangeable. Although there are similarities across systems, each company offers a distinct collar design (Figure 1, Table 1) (Audoin et al., 2025). This educational material provides details on the attachment mechanisms, collar assembly, required deployment tools, and recommendations for achieving proper collar fit for each vendor Across all systems, ensuring a proper collar fit is essential. A well-fitted collar allows animals to behave normally without discomfort, minimizes risk of injury, and ensures the correct delivery of VF cues. In any case, each VF company has recommendations on collar fit that you should follow for animal welfare reasons, and for a best use of the technology. If you are putting collars on growing animals such as heifers and steers, you will need to check the collar fitting every 6 to 8 weeks.