Virtual fencing allows precise control of grazing

As the agricultural industry continues to face rising costs, labour shortages and environmental challenges, farmers are increasingly seeking innovative solutions to streamline operations and improve productivity.

Nofence, the world’s first commercial virtual fencing system, is at the forefront of this transition, backed by many years of development and testing.

Created by farmers for farmers, Nofence’s GPS-powered collars offer a cost-effective, sustainable, and animal-friendly approach to livestock management. This cutting-edge system allows farmers to precisely control grazing practices and manage livestock without the logistical challenges associated with installing and maintaining physical fences.

Nofence is scalable, making it equally effective for small-scale crofts and commercial farms, the company says.

GPS tracking

Nofence collars communicate with an app through a cellular network, enabling real-time GPS tracking. Farmers can create, adjust, or remove virtual boundaries directly from their phones, making it easier to monitor their animals’ location and movement patterns, and adapt to changes such as seasonal grazing needs or environmental conditions.

The system uses acoustic warnings and a brief electric pulse – half the intensity of a traditional electronic fence – to guide the animals away from the defined boundaries. The electric pulse is initiated at last resort when an animal does not respond to the acoustic warnings. However, research shows that animals rapidly adapt to the system, reducing the need for pulses.

John Smout, market development director for Nofence, explains: “With Nofence, animals learn to respond to audio cues rather than relying on visual barriers. This not only simplifies livestock management but also empowers farmers with invaluable data on grazing patterns and animal movement.”

The Nofence app, central to the innovation, is both functional and intuitive. Nofence software developer, Malin Kildal, has been instrumental in creating its user-friendly interface.

“We focused on making the technology as accessible as possible for farmers,” Malin explains.

“The app is designed to help farmers manage livestock efficiently, with tools like heat mapping and grazing data, all from the palm of their hand.” 

Animal welfare

Animal welfare is at the heart of everything Nofence does. This approach protects animals from the dangers of traditional fencing, such as entanglement or injury, the company explains. Nofence allows livestock to move freely and naturally while minimising stress and respecting herd movement.

Through the Nofence app farmers are able to monitor their herd in real time, ensuring their health and safety. For instance, the app notifies farmers if an animal has not moved in four hours, flagging that it may be stuck or ill.

If an animal does manage to escape, farmers can locate them even outside the pasture as they will receive a push notification when the animals cross the virtual boundary. The animal can then return without further audio warnings or pulses, and the boundary reactivates once its position is registered as back in the pasture.

Land management 

Nofence’s technology also unlocks new opportunities for land management, eliminating the need for physical barriers, allowing farmers to use underused or previously inaccessible areas for grazing. This flexibility supports efficient land use and rotational grazing, which improves soil health, prevents overgrazing, and reduces erosion.

Nofence helps farmers balance productivity and sustainability, supporting environmentally friendly practices like enhanced biodiversity and improved soil regeneration.

Saving time and money

With Nofence, farmers can save time and even reduce labour and feed costs for herding and monitoring livestock.

The technology allows for real-time monitoring through the app, enabling farmers to track livestock and adjust grazing areas remotely – even on holiday.

Malin notes: “You see that [the farmer’s] mind is at ease just by knowing where their animals are, they can go on vacation if it’s just a week a year. They can do that now with Nofence.”

With Nofence, farmers can focus on other essential tasks – or take well-earned breaks –without worrying about their livestock’s safety, the company adds. Nofence’s user-focused design ensures that farmers can maintain control and peace of mind, no matter where they are.

LAMMA 2025

Nofence is a solution designed to meet the evolving needs of modern farmers, addressing challenges in animal welfare, land management, and operational efficiency to pave the way for a smarter, more sustainable future.

Farmers and industry professionals can explore this cutting-edge technology at LAMMA 2025 on 15th and 16th January. Visit the Nofence stand to meet representatives, see the system in action, and hear first-hand from farmers who have embraced virtual fencing.

Visit the company’s website to learn more about how Nofence and its innovation solutions.

Stand number: Hall 7, Stand 948.

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