GPS livestock collars are helping farmers manage sheep by keeping them within invisible virtual fences created through a smartphone app.
When a sheep approaches the edge of its designated boundary, the collar emits an audio warning. If the animal continues towards the boundary, it delivers a mild electric stimulus to encourage it to turn back.
Developed in Norway and extensively tested across the UK, the GPS virtual fencing technology is now being used to manage around 600 sheep in Jersey. Approximately 150 smart collars are currently part of the project.
Josh said: “We received our first 70 GPS collars around three years ago, and we have continued adding more because they have made managing the flock much easier.
“The technology allows us to graze sheep in challenging locations, including steep cliffs and areas covered with bracken and gorse. It also helps us track the animals. When we go out each day to find and count the sheep, the app shows how many there are and helps us locate them quickly.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk