Register      Login
The Rangeland Journal The Rangeland Journal Society
Journal of the Australian Rangeland Society
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > RJ > RJ06036
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 29(1)

Virtual fencing – past, present and future1

D. M. Anderson
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Jornada Experimental Range, Box 30003, MSC 3JER, NMSU, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8003, USA. Email: deanders@nmsu.edu

The Rangeland Journal 29(1) 65-78 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ06036
Submitted: 5 September 2006  Accepted: 17 January 2007   Published: 14 June 2007

Abstract

Virtual fencing is a method of controlling animals without ground-based fencing. Control occurs by altering an animal’s behaviour through one or more sensory cues administered to the animal after it has attempted to penetrate an electronically-generated boundary. This boundary can be of any geometrical shape, and though unseen by the eye, is detected by a computer system worn by the animal. The most recent autonomous programmable systems use radio frequency (RF) signals, emanating from global positioning system (GPS) satellites to generate boundaries. Algorithms within a geographic information system (GIS) within the device’s computer use the GPS and other data to determine where on the animal a cue, or cues, should be applied and for how long. The first commercial virtual fencing system was patented in 1973 for controlling domestic dogs. Virtual fencing was used for the first time to control livestock in 1987. Since then proof-of-concept research using commercial, as well as custom designed systems have demonstrated that virtual fencing can successfully hold as well as move livestock over the landscape. Commercial virtual livestock control systems do not yet exist but research continues towards this goal. Pending research needs relating to this method of animal control are discussed in light of currently available technologies.

Additional keywords: animal tracking, biotelemetry systems, directional virtual fencing (DVF™), dog training collars, electronic fences, global positioning system (GPS).


Acknowledgements

Jornada Experimental Range virtual fencing research conducted since 11 February 2003 was approved by the New Mexico State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Number 2003–003.


Appreciation is expressed to colleagues and staff of the US Department of Agriculture –Agricultural Research Service, Jornada Experimental Range (USDA-ARS-JER) and to Future Segue, Las Cruces, New Mexico for assistance in conducting the directional virtual fencing (DVF™) research. Special thanks go to Mr Roy Libeau, biological animal sciences technician JER and Ms Barbara Nolen, GIS administrator JER for their dedicated commitment to the DVF™ research.


References


AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) (2007). Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Available at: www.iacuc.org/aboutus.htm (accessed 20 February 2007).

Aiello S. E. (1998). ‘The Merck veterinary manual.’ 8th edn. (Merck and Co, Inc.: Whitehouse Station, NJ.)

Albright J. L. , and Arave C. W. (1997). ‘The behaviour of cattle.’ (CAB International: Wallingford, UK.)

Anderson D. M. (1998) Pro-active livestock management – capitalizing on animal behavior. Journal of Arid Land Studies 7S, 113–116. (accessed 20 February 2007).

Le B. Q. , Lew A. L. , Schwarts P. D. , Sadilek A. C. , Suter J. J. , Jenkins J. E. , and Ling S. X. inventors; The John Hopkins University, assignee. (2001). Rechargeable shoe. U.S. patent 6,255,799. July 3. 8 p. Int. Cl7 H02J 7/00; H02K 5/00; A43B 7/02.

Lee C., Prayaga K., Reed M., Henshall J. (2007) Methods of training cattle to avoid a location using electrical cues. Applied Animal Behaviour Science n press) 69, (accessed 20 February 2007).

Marsh R. E. inventor; AgriTech Electronics L. C., assignee. (1999). Fenceless animal control system using GPS location information. U.S. patent 5 868 100. Feb 9. 9 p. Int Cl6 A01K 15/02; G08B 23/00.

Mayer R. , and Olsen T. (2005). ‘Estimated costs for livestock fencing.’ (Iowa State University Extension Publication, Economics: Ames, IA.)

Mech D. L. , and Barber S. M. (2002). A critique of wildlife radio-tracking and its use in national parks: a report to the U.S. National Park Service. Publication 1164. U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown.

Moen R. A., Pastor J., Cohen Y. (1997) Accuracy of GPS telemetry collar locations with differential correction. Journal of Wildlife Management 61, 530–539.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | (accessed 20 February 2007).

Quigley T. M., Sanderson H. R., Tiedemann A. R., McInnis M. L. (1990) Livestock control with electrical and audio stimulation. Rangelands 12, 152–155. (accessed 20 February 2007).

Wang N., Zhang N., Wang M. (2006) Wireless sensors in agriculture and food industry – recent development and future perspectives. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 50, 1–14.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Xu S., Talwar S. K., Hawley E. S., Li L., Chapin J. K. (2004) A multi-channel telemetry system for brain micro stimulation in freely roaming animals. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 133, 57–63.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1









1 Invited presentation at the Spatial Grazing Behaviour Workshop, 14–15 June 2006, J.M. Rendel Laboratory, Rockhampton.