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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #429435
Research Project: Knowledge Systems and Tools to Increase the Resilience and Sustainability of Western Rangeland Agriculture

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Differential response of Angus-Hereford and Rarámuri Criollo cattle to a dynamic feeding challenge during the training to an autonomous virtual fencing collar

Author
item PEREA, ANDRES - New Mexico State University
item Macon, Lara
item SPETTER, MAXIMILLIANO - New Mexico State University
item FUNK, MICAH - New Mexico State University
item BAKIR, MEHMET - New Mexico State University
item Estell, Richard
item Bestelmeyer, Brandon
item Cibils, Andres
item UTSUMI, ANDRES - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2026
Publication Date: 2/3/2026
Citation: Perea, A.R., Macon, L.K., Spetter, M.J., Funk, M.P., Bakir, M., Estell, R.E., Bestelmeyer, B.T., Cibils, A.F., Utsumi, A.F. 2026. Differential response of Angus-Hereford and Rarámuri Criollo cattle to a dynamic feeding challenge applied during the training to an autonomous virtual fencing collar. Journal of Animal Science. 104:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skag024.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skag024

Interpretive Summary: Virtual fencing consists of wearable neck collars for animal tracking and delivery of auditory warnings, reinforced by mild electric pulses, to contain cattle within virtual boundaries. This study evaluated how Angus-Hereford (AH) and Rarámuri Criollo (RC) cows trained to wear virtual fencing collars responded during a feeding challenge in which feed was offered at both ends of the pen but one end was excluded by the collar. Overall containment success exceeded 97% for both breeds, but breeds appeared to adopt different strategies and exhibited different levels of alertness while learning to respond to cues. The AH cows exhibited greater motion activity, interacted with virtual boundaries more frequently, and required a higher frequency of electric pulse reinforcements to learn to avoid the excluded area. In contrast, RC cows required fewer pulses and lower reinforcement frequency to avoid restricted feeding zones. These results show that both breeds successfully learned to react to the virtual fence cueing. However, breed-specific behaviors influenced the response and offer insights for applying this technology for management of livestock grazing on extensive rangelands.

Technical Abstract: Virtual fencing (VF) is an emerging concept for managing livestock distribution using smart-tracking collars. The collars apply Global Navigation Satellite System technology to emit sound alerts that warn animals of virtual boundaries enforced by electric pulses. Behavioral differences may explain how individuals and breeds respond to this technology. This work compared behavioral responses of non-lactating Rarámuri Criollo (RC) and Angus-Hereford (AH) cattle to a commercial VF system during the training phase. Thirty RC and 30 AH cows naïve to VF were fitted with Nofence collars and assigned by breed to rectangular pens (n = 3 per breed) in a completely randomized design. Wheat hay was provided ad libitum at feeding stations located on the east and west ends of each pen, which were made accessible or restricted via VF schedules applied across six 3-day periods. Period 1 had no restrictions; periods 2 and 3 restricted access to the west and east feeding stations, respectively; and periods 4–6 repeated these configurations. Behavioral responses, including number of auditory warnings, electric pulses, electric pulses to auditory warnings ratio, animal activity, and spatial distribution in pens, were evaluated using repeated measures mixed model ANOVA (a = 0.05). AH cows received more auditory warnings and electric pulses on day 1 of period 2 and a greater ratio of electric pulses to auditory warnings throughout the study. RC cows spent more time within the designated VF containment zone on day 1 of period 2. AH cows exhibited consistently greater movement activity throughout the study. Overall VF containment was 97%, indicating that both breeds successfully learned and adapted to shifting virtual boundaries. These results suggest that breed-specific behavioral traits, including vigilance, risk assessment, feeding motivation, and activity,may underline differential responses to VF during early training.