Progress report for WPDP22-016
Project Information
Ranching is a nexus of economics, culture, and conservation in the western US. There is a critical need to integrate emerging technologies into traditional livestock practices to respond to the challenges of a changing world. Virtual fencing (VF) is one such technology. Using GPS-enabled cattle collars and on-ranch base stations, ranchers can create temporary or permanent virtual barriers that trigger collar stimulus to contain livestock in planned areas. This technology can save ranchers time and effort by allowing them to remotely adjust barriers, determine the location of animals, and examine how livestock are using pastures. They can then use this knowledge to improve grazing systems by adjusting in real-time in response to ecological conditions.
Building on VF field trials in Arizona, this two-year train-the-trainer program will increase the knowledge, skill, and capacity of producers, Cooperative Extension professionals, agencies, and non-governmental organizations to evaluate and implement VF technology. Rangeland and beef cattle professionals at the University of Arizona and Arizona Cooperative Extension, with Santa Rita Ranch LLC will: (1) conduct an economic cost-benefit analysis of VF technology, (2) create outreach materials (fact sheets, training guide, demonstration video), (3) host three on-ranch workshops to provide hands-on learning experiences, (4) lead three web-based courses, and (5) extend learning opportunities to western producers through online marketing.
Without VF training programs, managers and producers may miss opportunities to use VF to adapt to challenges or may misapply the technology. Increasing management flexibility is essential for ranchers to meet fundamental and emerging management challenges such as animal welfare; climate variability and change; and livestock management in ecologically sensitive areas. The integration of novel technologies combined with well-established agricultural knowledge and methodologies has the potential to develop mutually beneficial outcomes for both the ranching community and the environment.
This project will provide multiple training opportunities designed to increasing economic and ecological sustainability of ranching by introducing precision livestock management and VF technologies to meet the following objective:
By the end of the project period, increase knowledge, skills, and technical capacity for VF evaluation, implementation, operation, and economic assessment among western rangeland professionals and producers, including: ranchers; Arizona, New Mexico, and California Cooperative Extension professionals; NRCS; USFS; NGOs; and local land management agencies.
Success will be measured by surveying participants before and after in-person workshops and webinars to test knowledge and skill acquisition related to VF implementation, operation, and economic assessment and comfort level with use of computer programs and other technologies needed to implement VF. Programming will be adjusted at each workshop and webinar using results from surveys conducted at previous trainings.
The project team has the knowledge and expertise to achieve this objective. Faculty from UArizona (PI Lien) and ACE (PI Beard) are cooperating with Santa Rita Ranch LLC (McGibbon) to implement VF field trials at the SRER. Trials include ~500 cattle wearing collars to test implementation and cost effectiveness of the technology (IACUC-Approval). The PIs of this proposal have extensive experience designing and hosting Extension workshops. UArizona research staff have years of experience designing and developing online resources for Rangelands Partnership (RP; Dalke, Noelle, Rahr) and are conducting field research on VF technology (Antaya, Mayer, Noelle). UArizona resource economics staff will conduct the cost-benefit analysis (Duval). Landmark Stories, UArizona’s internal documentary film studio, will produce the demonstration video. The project team will use knowledge and experience gained from VF field trials and literature to effectively disseminate information related to animal agriculture, agronomics, and the effects of sustainable practices on quality of life for producers and rural communities to western agricultural professionals.
The project team assumes there is demand for VF training based on interactions with producers and land managers individually and at professional meetings where the topic has been presented and discussed. A multi-faceted training program combined with strong outreach will significantly increase the ability of stakeholders to evaluate VF technology for sustainable rangeland management (Wright et al., 2017). Successful completion of the project requires: (1) salary support for staff, (2) Santa Rita Ranch LLC financial support for meaningful involvement from start to finish, and (3) support from collaborators.
Activities and Methods:
Pre-workshop (10/1/2022-3/31/2023):
- Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of VF technology using established methods.
- Based on VF field trials, create training guide, five fact sheets (topics: economics, animal behavior/wellbeing, VF 101, implementation on state and federal land, computer skills needed for implementation, and troubleshooting), and demonstration video.
- Reach target audiences through Arizona, New Mexico, and California Extension; land management agencies; NGOs; RP; Arizona Society for Range Management; and producer organizations. Underserved communities will be reached through collaboration with UArizona’s Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program.
Workshops (4/1/2023-12/31/2023):
Three full-day, field-based professional development workshops to train ranchers and land managers in VF technology. Workshops will take place at SRER (southern Arizona), V-Bar-V Ranch (central Arizona), and Springerville, AZ (eastern Arizona) (~50 participants/workshop, 150 participants total). Workshops will: introduce VF technology and components; demonstrate implementation and provide hands-on use of VF software and hardware (collar placement/establishing fences); and present cost-benefit analysis. A panel of producers currently using a VF technology will share their experiences. Evaluations will be given at workshops and six months and one year after to assess knowledge retention and changes in management because of training.
Web-based Courses (10/1/2023-6/30/2024):
Three one-hour web-based courses demonstrating the fundamentals of VF implementation and economics (~100 participants/course; 300 participants total). Courses will be recorded. Evaluation surveys will assess participant learning and workshop outcomes.
Online Dissemination (1/1/2023-9/30/2024):
Fact sheets, training guide, video, and recorded web-based courses, including cost-benefit information, will be available online (RP’s Rangelands Gateway and ACE’s Beef Cattle) ensuring information remains available beyond the project period. Online marketing will disseminate information through established communication channels, including RP’s and ACE’s social media and electronic newsletters and the project team’s professional networks. Google analytics will be used to track use of online resources.
Modifications to Timeline:
A no-cost extension for this project was approved in fall 2024. As a result of the no-cost extension, there have been minor modifications to the the project timeline:
Pre-workshop: work on factsheets was expanded and extended. We had originally planned 5 Cooperative Extension factsheets. We ultimately produced 7 factsheets plus three articles published in Rangelands. Additional factsheets are likely in the final, no-cost extension year of the project.
Workshops: Project workshops have been completed. The final workshop taking place in spring 2024 rather than winter 2023. This modification in timeline was made to match the needs of the management and producer community in Arizona. We leveraged existing formal and informal organizations, e.g., the Arizona Section of Society of Range Management and the Rancher Heritage Alliance, to co-host workshops. This approach increased the reach and number of attendees, but also extended the timeline for holding workshops to fit with meeting schedules for these organizations.
Web-based courses: The timeline for web-based course/webinars was extended so webinars could take place after the workshops and after most of the work on factsheets and other publications was completed. Webinars were held in summer and fall of 2024. The final webinar was head in January 2025.
Online dissemination: This activity is continuous and ongoing. All published fact sheets have been posted to the the Rangeland Partnership website. Other materials such as webinar recordings, powerpoint presentations, and resources from members of the inter-university Virtual Fence Working group are also available on the user guide website. This site will be continually updated over the course of the no-cost extension year and will persist after the conclusion of the project.
Cooperators
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
Education
Educational materials: (1) one training guide, (2) seven fact sheets, and (3) one demonstration video (10/22-9/25), plus (4) online content: workshop presentations, training guide, fact sheets, and web-based courses will be repackaged for permanent web dissemination on Rangelands Gateway and Beef Cattle (1/23-9/25), and (4) online marketing outreach (1/23-9/25).
Workshops: three full-day, field-based workshops with training in computer applications (2023 and 2024).
Web-based courses: three one-hour web-based courses will highlight key aspects of the workshops (08/24-01/25).
Continuing online learning content: fact sheets, training guide, demonstration video, and recorded web-based courses, including cost-benefit information, will be available on Rangelands Gateway and Beef Cattle and disseminated through an online marketing campaign before, during, and after workshops and web-based courses will be implemented (1/23-9/25).
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Produce training materials such as fact sheets and and online content.
(1) one training guide, (2) seven fact sheets, and (3) one demonstration video, plus (4) online content: workshop presentations, training guide, fact sheets, and web-based courses will be repackaged for permanent web dissemination on Rangelands Gateway and Beef Cattle Extension, and (4) online marketing outreach. As per the project timeline, these initiatives will be completed during calendar years 2024 and 2025. As of December 31, 2024, the online training guide is available at rangelandsgateway.org/vf, all factsheets are either published or in review, a series of videos are available on rangelandsgateway.org/vf, and all materials from workshops and webinars are available on rangelandsgateway.org/vf.
Participants will acquire skills needed to implement VF, to establish conservation action areas, and to design and implement collaborative, landscape-level rangeland restoration plans.
Knowledge of where to find resources and learning materials online for future reference.
Hold workshops to provide training in implementation of virtual fencing systems
Three full-day, field-based workshops with training in implementation of virtual fence systems on working ranches. As per the project timeline, these workshops were originally scheduled to take place take place in calendar year 2023. The modified project timeline included one workshop in 2023 and two workshops in 2024.
Workshop participants will gain basic knowledge about VF technology, how it may apply in specific management contexts, and the economics of implementation compared to traditional fencing and labor.
Participants will acquire skills needed to implement VF, to establish conservation action areas, and to design and implement collaborative, landscape-level rangeland restoration plans.
Following the workshops, land managers, producers, and other participants will have the skills and materials for use in their own workshops and technical assistance activities.
Extension personnel, land management agencies, and technical service providers who participated in the training program will use the knowledge gained and resources made available to develop new educational programming about the VF, its uses, and costs and benefits.
Develop and deliver webinars and online resources
Three one-hour web-based courses will highlight key aspects of the workshops; web-based versions of all factsheets, training guides, and other materials produced during the course of the project. Two webinars were completed in 2024 and a third was held in January 2025.
Participants will acquire skills needed to implement VF, to establish conservation action areas, and to design and implement collaborative, landscape-level rangeland restoration plans.
Knowledge of where to find resources and learning materials online for future reference.
NRCS, USFS, and land management agency personnel who participated in the training program will begin to evaluate incorporation of VF and precision livestock management into conservation and management of rangelands, including implementation of adaptive management on public grazing allotments and incorporation of VF into conservation practice standards.
An extended community of land managers and producers accesses the educational materials provided online, expanding the impact of the professional development program beyond the initial participants.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Short-term outcomes:
(1) Workshop participants gained basic knowledge about VF technology, how it may apply in specific management contexts, and the economics of implementation compared to traditional fencing and labor.
(2) Participants acquireed skills needed to implement VF, to establish conservation action areas, and to design and implement collaborative, landscape-level rangeland restoration plans.
(3) Following the workshops, land managers, producers, and other participants have the skills and materials for use in their own workshops and technical assistance activities.
(4) Knowledge of where to find resources and learning materials online for future reference.
Medium-term outcomes:
(1) Extension personnel, land management agencies, and technical service providers who participated in the training program can use the knowledge gained and resources made available to develop new educational programming about the VF, its uses, and costs and benefits.
(2) Producers who participated in the training program have the knowledge to evaluate the adoption of VF technology and other precision livestock management approaches into their operations, including initial start-up costs of purchasing VF technology and the potential for VF to aid in improved adaptive management, livestock distribution, specific management concerns, and decreasing labor costs.
(3) NRCS, USFS, and land management agency personnel who participated in the training program can begin to evaluate incorporation of VF and precision livestock management into conservation and management of rangelands, including implementation of adaptive management on public grazing allotments and incorporation of VF into conservation practice standards.
(4) An extended community of land managers and producers now has access to educational materials provided online, expanding the impact of the professional development program beyond the initial participants.
Long-Term outcomes:
(1) Concrete, measurable improvements in rangeland conditions and productivity on ranches engaging in appropriate and cost-effective implementation of VF and precision livestock management.
(2) Improved economic well-being of producers resulting from improved ability to implement adaptive management, address animal welfare concerns, and manage labor costs because of VF and precision livestock management implementation.
(3) Incorporation of VF and precision livestock management into existing NRCS and USFS practice standards and land management policies allowing for widespread adoption of these approaches by producers, including beginning ranchers and underserved communities who otherwise may not have the financial resources to meet the upfront costs of adopting cutting edge technologies.
(4) An established community-of-practice around VF and precision livestock management to share lessons learned and develop best management practices based on large scale implementation of the technology.
The response rate for workshop evaluations was 35% total for workshop 1 and 2. The response rate was much lower for the workshop 3, approaximately 20%. Based on responses, participants in the workshops reported they would share some aspect of this project with ~500 people in the next 12 months.
Participants in the webinars responded to the post-webinar survey at an approximately 20% response rate. Based on these responses, participants in the webinars reported they would share some aspect of this project with over 2000 people. A few respondents indicated that they would share information with hundreds or even thousands of people in their roles as service providers, consultants, or NRCS personnel.
Webpage analytics indicate over 8,000 unique visits to the the Virtual Fence User Guide page at rangelandgateway.org/vf.
- A Rangelands Management Specialist with the U.S. Forest Service from northern Arizona learned about “application of virtual fences, collaring animals, and viewing data” and will use the knowledge gained and outreach materials for “general outreach and encouragement for people to adopt technology.”
- An NRCS rangeland professional from southern Arizona gained skills related to “layout of virtual fences, securing unit to cows, and replacement of battery” and will use will the new knowledge for “training and awareness to agency personnel.” They said “great hands on exercises that reinforced presentations. Awesome job!”
- A rangeland professional from Arizona said they learned about “differences between VF [virtual fence] companies, physical collaring, range & coverage concerns for base stations.”
- An NRCS rangeland professional from Arizona said they would use workshop materials to "help communicate this info with producers."
- A rangeland professional from Arizona said they “plan to inform producers [about] aspects of these systems as additive to existing fencing and another tool for resource management.”