Virtual fencing system for livestock comes to Ireland
Agtech Nofence has released it’s virtual fencing system in Ireland. Nofence, established in Norway in 2011, uses an alternative to traditional fencing, allowing farmers to easily determine grazing areas, exclusion zones and manage rotation of their livestock using GPS collars that communicate with a mobile Nofence.
The system has to date been particularly effective in managing rugged and upland terrains – factors that pose significant obstacles to farmers wishing to graze livestock, whether it involves getting agreement from shareholders or installing and maintaining fences in hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, an ‘exclusion zone’ feature helps preserve delicate vegetation, shrubs, and flowers by keeping livestock away from these areas.
“The main point is training your stock. Then you can graze and map any site accordingly. You can actually adjust and make real time changes to boundaries geared towards desired grazing levels, or protecting delicate plant species. It’s very versatile. You can adjust it to the seasons and what’s going on that day, that week,” said Melissa Jeuken, a goat herder in Dublin (pictured).
James Breslin, Inishowen Uplands EIP cattle farmer, added: “The fire risk was very high before I got the cattle confined… The Nofence technology has been crucial in managing this risk by allowing us to control grazing patterns effectively. By preventing overgrowth of woody heather and millennia-type grasses, which are highly flammable, we have significantly reduced the potential for wildfires. The only time we could manage the fire risk was when we got the collars.”
The first customers of Nofence in Ireland use the collars on cattle and goats on a variety of terrain types. From a farmer in West Cork focused on biodiversity, to Dexter cattle farmers on the Inishowen Peninsula and a goat farmer in North Dublin, grazing her herd on local authority land, all agree that Nofence technology has revolutionised livestock management.
“Getting the cattle collars was a real godsend because it meant that I have total control over where they go and I have peace of mind because I can see where they are at all times,” said Eoghan Daltun,” a conservationist and farmer in West Cork.
Nofence’s expansion into the Irish market represents a step forward in the evolution of livestock management. By offering a reliable, flexible and efficient alternative to traditional fencing, Nofence is poised to support agriculture in Ireland’s variable natural landscape, promoting and preserving biodiversity and giving farmers peace of mind when it comes to livestock management.
“Nofence was founded and developed by farmers determined to simplify livestock management and get more animals out on pasture longer. This benefits both the farmers, the animals, and nature. Now, we are pleased to offer Irish farmers the opportunity to utilise new grazing resources, strengthen their livelihoods and get better oversight of their animals,” said Joachim Kahler, Nofence CEO.
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