Stakeless fencing for mountain pastures

/ Grazing systems have to adapt to new requirements highlighted in European policies in order to protect biotopes and maintain biodiversity. An effective livestock fence without stakes or barbed wire has been developed. The principle is based on an electromagnetic coupling between a wire unrolled on the ground around the cattle and electronic devices carried by collared animals. A low current from a battery or solar powered generator is provided to the wire in order to create a coded electromagnetic field. When this signal is detected by the collar, a behaviour algorithm decides the action to apply to the animal to prevent it from crossing the wire. Based on a major behavioural study of cows, the system is able to analyze the reaction of cattle faced with different situations. This virtual fence has been designed to be completely self-contained during the high pasture season. The wire which is insulated can be on ground, vegetation, or even buried. It is insensitive to the presence of water and is no danger to humans. More than 800 days of experiment on 150 cattle of different breeds were carried out in France in mountain pastures between 1999 and 2003. This system could allow for environmental renovation of wild areas and help to more precise management of grazing in protected zones by bringing more flexibility in fencing.