This electric fencing bundle combines essential fencing components with a fence volt tester, so you can build, power, and check your fence with confidence.

Many feel challenged about keeping their cattle and livestock in with fencing. How would you like the challenge of keeping a few hundred grizzlies fenced out or making sure a few dozen black bears aren't attacking your livestock?

Bears of all kinds are a sometime dangerous nuisance around Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the national forests of northwestern Wyoming. It's a wilderness area bordered by Montana and Idaho that's perfect habitat for a large and growing population of bears.

Bears are born scavengers that can get aggressive when they're hungry. Easily accessible campsites, apiaries and dumpsters are nothing more than convenient dining spots for these creatures. When they decide to munch on whatever's handy, they can do serious economic damage and threaten people as well as livestock.

Mark Bruscino is a bear specialist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Bears are his constant problem. "They're smart animals and they will find a way to get around most preventative measures. They can knock down barriers and tunnel under most fences."

"We have to keep them out of grain sheds, small garbage dumps and dumpsters. Most of the things we tried in the early 1990's didn't work," he said.
Gallagher North America, helped design an electric fence to solve the problem. "I'm sold on it," said Bruscino as he talked about the fence. "It's top notch stuff."

The fence is "100% effective" when it's maintained properly, says Bruscino.

The Game and Fish Department uses permanent and temporary Gallagher electric fences now. The permanent electric fences are installed where bears are a constant problem – around camp grounds, for instance. Temporary electric fences can be quickly erected around sites like grain bins until the bear can be captured and transported to a remote location.

"We use a five-wire electric fence with high tensile wire. Because it can be very dry, we use alternating hot and ground wires to make sure we've got full conductivity," said Bruscino as he described the permanent fence set up. Wooden corner posts anchor the fence and he uses fiberglass posts to support the wire. The lower three wires are spaced six inches apart and the top two wires have 10 inches between them, making for a bear proof barrier.

Bruscino estimates bears have tested the fence hundreds of times without successfully breaking through. "Usually, they just spin around and take off," he said. "I saw evidence that a bear swatted at the wire once but all it did was stretch it out a bit."
To prevent "tunneling" bears from going underground, Bruscino uses a woven wire ground in some place. Stretching about three feet out from the fence line, it's additional discouragement to marauding beasts.

Bee keepers in the region sleep better at night and goat/sheep herds graze unharmed. More importantly, campers can sleep safely at night, too, with nothing between them and the night air but a few square yards of canvas.

According to Randy Bailey, Territory Manager for Gallagher North America, "A properly constructed permanent electric fence provides both a physical and psychological barrier that keeps domestic and wild animals where they should be with safety and security. Keep in mind that the fence must be well designed in accordance with the species to be controlled, and constructed to withstand the harsh weather conditions that hit places like the Rockies in the dead of winter."

Kotzeff quickly recognized the many benefits of integrating cash crops into his business and cattle grazing strategy.  

Today, Kotzeff primarily farms soybeans with some acreage dedicated to wheat and corn. He also practices a traditional intensive rotational grazing strategy that includes his cattle grazing cover crops to improve the soil and increase plant nutrients of his cash crop operation. “Cropping increases my profitability per acre while the grazing improves the quality of the soil for future planting. I believe the best way to graze the cover crops as well as the pastures is to use temporary electric fencing,” says Kotzeff.

To illustrate his rotational grazing areas, Kotzeff explains he uses permanent wire fencing along the road of his property, then uses single or double wire fencing on the sides and along the back of the farm. Within that perimeter, Kotzeff constructs four or five large interior fields constructed by single strand high tensile fencing.

Kotzeff utilizes Gallagher poly wire spools to easily set up smaller grazing paddocks, or depending on the season, to quickly create areas for strip grazing.

“We install the poly and turbo wire onto reels which makes it easy to roll out to set the fence up or reel in to move the fence,” explains Scott Rooney, Gallagher technical sales manager. “The poly/turbo wire and reels, as well as our temporary posts, are also very lightweight making it easy to continuously move throughout the pasture and also gives the producer the flexibility to graze in many different ways.”

Kotzeff adds that utilizing the poly wire to separate paddocks helps train the calves on electric fencing from day one.

“They learn on their own,” says Kotzeff. “As babies they are able to go back and forth under the wire as they please. As the calves grow, they quickly learn to respect the fencing. The key though, is to always have the next paddock set up so if a calf goes under the single wire, they are still contained.”

Rooney says Kotzeff’s setup of electric gates in key sections of his paddocks allows him to easily move cattle in pasture rotations. “A single strand of poly or turbo wire used in conjunction with pigtail posts and powered by the portable S10 solar energizer provides great flexibility and efficiency,” he says.

Kotzeff agrees. “Portable fencers are so handy and save a lot of hassle,” he says. “Sometimes I don’t need a large energizer to power the whole farm. With the solar energizers, I can just power the area the cows are in.”

Gallagher energizers are designed to be used in portable fencing systems so portability and ease of use is imperative, says Rooney.

“The solar energizers come with a self-contained battery and carrying handle, which allows users to easily move the energizer along with the fence. It can be attached to a wood post or a steel T-post and because of its unique 360-degree T-post mount – it can face in any direction. This is an important feature as solar energizers need to face south to receive the most sunlight,” Rooney explains.

Kotzeff said he moves the cattle to a new grazing area every 2-3 days. When out moving cattle or checking fence, Kotzeff keeps a Gallagher wireless handheld fence tester handy. “They are so fast, convenient to use and can easily fit in your shirt or pants pocket,” he says. “Most importantly, the fence tester tells you exactly where a short is.”

“A fence volt tester is a must,” says Rooney. “It is the only way to troubleshoot an entire fence system because you can test the energizer, fence and the ground system to determine where the problem is located. Gallagher also offers a fence volt/current meter and fault finder that will actually show you where the short is on the fence. Many people spend hours or days trying to find a short and this device will locate the problem very quickly.”

Kotzeff’s testament to the quality and durability of Gallagher products for his fencing needs also extends to the company’s heavy duty gate handles.

“I’ve tried other cheaper gate handles before, but prefer the Gallagher product,” Kotzeff says. “What good is a gate handle if it breaks on you?”

Rooney concurs. He says a large part of Gallagher’s success can be credited to a customer-centric approach to research and development with a strong focus on the end-user needs. “Peter’s gate handle experience is the exact reason the company invests ten percent of its total revenue back into research and development each and every year,” Rooney says. “That’s our commitment to our customers. We want to ensure our products are ready to work just as hard as you do.”

Electric fencing is ideal for grazing or pasture management by containing animals on a selected area of pasture or crop. It also may be used to protect gardens and landscapes from animal damage.

“An electric fence takes less than half the time to build compared to traditional fence systems.”

In 1938, the first electric fence was developed in New Zealand by Gallagher. Since that time, electric fencing systems have made farm and ranch life easier. Today, both permanent and portable electric fencing products are used all over the world.

 

Basics of Electric Fencing:

Electric fencing is ideal for grazing or pasture management by containing animals on a selected area of pasture or crop. It also may be used to protect gardens and landscapes from animal damage.

Permanent electric fencing is economical, easy to install and easy to maintain. Temporary electric fencing is an effective temporary barrier for short-term animal control and rotational grazing.

 

Electric Fencing is...

Safe: Animals remember the short, sharp but safe shock and develop respect for the fence.
Easy to install: An electric fence takes less than half the time to build compared to traditional fence systems.
Durable: A non-electrified fence experiences constant wear and tear under stock pressure. Because your animals learn to avoid an electrified fence, your fence will last longer and remain in good condition.
Economical: Electric fences cost less than 50% of traditional non-electric fences.
How does an Electric Fence work?
Electric current (AMPS) only flows when a circuit is completed between a positive and negative terminal.

In this diagram the current cannot flow from the positive terminal to the negative terminal because the switch is open.


In this second diagram, the switch is now closed, allowing the current to flow from the positive terminal through the light bulb (lighting the bulb) to the negative terminal.


An electric fence circuit is made on a larger scale. The energizer fence terminal (positive) is connected to the insulated fence wires, and the energizer earth terminal (negative) is connected to galvanized metal stakes driven into the ground.


The same 'circuit completion' (second diagram above) is necessary before the animal gets a shock. An animal standing on the ground and touching the electrified wires (shown right) will complete the circuit like the closed switch in the second diagram above.


For example, a bird sitting on the wire will not receive a shock (shown left). It is not touching the ground so the circuit is not completed.  A person wearing insulated footwear will only receive a small shock because all the current cannot pass through the insulated soles.


Dry, sandy or pumice soil is a poor conductor of electric current, so it is a good idea to add an ground (negative) wire into the fence. The animal must touch both a hot wire and ground wire to feel an effective shock.


Choosing the Right Energizer (Fence Charger)
Once you have decided what type of electric fence you want for your property, you will need an energizer also known as a fence charger to power it.  The correct energizer size for your property is determined by the type of animal to be fenced, distance of fence to be powered and the number of wires in the fence.

There are two types of energizers:

Mains powered - these are energizer units which are plugged into a mains power supply.
Battery/Solar powered - these are energizer units which can be left out in your paddock and require a battery to run them. Two batteries can be rotated on a regular basis or a solar panel can be an effective means of continuously charging your battery.
Steps to Good Grounding
Grounding is perhaps the most neglected component of many fence systems. We recommend three ground rods, 6’ deep and spaced 10’ apart are the minimum recommendation. Never attach copper to steel. Electrolysis can occur and result in corrosion which weakens shocking power. Use galvanized ground wire and grounding rods to avoid this problem.

Consider that most energizers use galvanized or stainless steel terminals – not copper. Think of your ground system as an antenna that gathers electricity in order to deliver the shock to the animal. Modern satellite receivers can tune in to more television channels than the “rabbit ear” antennas of the past. A hose clamp holding a piece of copper wire to a rusty t-post has been the weakest link of many electric fence systems.

 

Safety

There is a misconception that dry vegetation touching an electric fence can cause fires – this is extremely unlikely. In order to create a short, vegetation needs to be damp or green so therefore the vegetation will not ignite. Once vegetation dries out it becomes non-conductive meaning any short created disappears.

The only conceivable but still very unlikely scenario where an electric fence could start a fire is when a wire shorts to an grounded metal object, such as a steel post or wire where insulators have broken, in the presence of abundant dry vegetation. This scenario is very unlikely to occur in practice, and even less so on a well-maintained fence. Producers with fences on steel posts or using earthed wires are advised to ensure the live wires are well insulated and the fence is clear of vegetation. If these factors are of concern then on days of severe or above fire risk, consider switching the energizer off.

The benefits of rotational grazing are widely known. Livestock can be moved from one paddock to another on a prearranged scheduled to allow forage crops to renew energy reserves, rebuild plant vigor and give long-term maximum production.

Since the backbone of any rotational grazing system is flexibility, it is important to have a highly-movable temporary fence and some understanding of its proper use.

Wires

There are two basic types of temporary electric fence wires on the market: polywire and polytape. Both are made up of fine metal filaments braided with strands of polyethylene or polypropylene fibers. The metal carries the shock, and the plastic gives the wire strength and visibility.

If you are using polywire for short distances to subdivide a pasture, six-strand polywire is sufficient to do the job. If you want to run polywire for a long distance or for a fence that may become overgrown with weeds and grass, buy a wire that carries more of a shock.

Polytapes are more visible than polywires, especially the color white. If you are getting poor animal control with polywire, or if visibility is important (such as with horses), you might consider switching to polytape. Having better animal control will offset the additional cost of polytape.

In addition, if you plan to move the fence for any reason, such as changing the paddock size, a reel is essential. Electric fence reels are made from weather resistant plastic and will hold one to two spools of polywire or polytape.

Posts

Plastic posts are the most convenient to use because they have built-in treads to step the posts into the ground. Ring-top and pre-molded loops provide plenty of flexibility for a variety of wire spacings. Fiberglass rods are better suited for situations where you will not be moving the fence very often. They are more expensive than plastic posts but can last up to 20 years. They are easily driven into the ground with a hammer, but they do take a little longer to install than plastic posts.

Metal T-posts are stronger and last longer than other temporary posts, but they cost more and require more labor to install and remove when changing paddock size. However, since they are not flexible like other posts, they do work well as corner posts or when making sharp turns in the fence line.

The amount of shock animals feel depends on the voltage. It takes a minimum of 5,000 volts to produce a shock sufficient to control cattle and horses. Commonly, the best fence energizers will deliver 6,000 to 8,000 volts. If your fields are near a mains 120-volt power source, your best choice is an AC-powered energizer. AC energizers usually have higher joule ratings and require no battery maintenance. If the fence you plan to electrify is not near a 120-volt power source, you have no choice but to use a battery-operated (DC) or solar energizer. DC energizers do an excellent job of confining animals and are very dependable. Deep-cycle batteries are best suited for battery-operated energizers. 

Paddock Layout

Being able to get livestock to the pasture is as important as producing forage in the pasture. The fine wires used in polywires and polytapes have a high resistance to current flow. Even large, powerful energizers cannot pump enough energy through the wires for very long distances. For this reason, the maximum effective distance you can charge a 6-strand polywire is about half a mile from the energizer. You can power up to a mile of polywire by placing the energizer in the middle of the fence and going half a mile in each direction. It is best to run a single, high-tensile wire along the perimeter of the pasture and run the temporary wire off this feeder wire when subdividing large pastures. Generally, only one strand of polywire is needed for cattle and horses. Posts can be up to 50 feet apart.

Grounding

Most electric fence problems are the result of poor grounding. For an animal to receive a shock, it must complete a circuit. With temporary electric fences, this circuit consists of one “hot” wire and a soil ground return. The energizer generates a high-voltage pulse. From there, it travels through the wire, through the animal, to the soil, back to a ground rod and then up the ground rod back to the energizer. The shock felt by an animal from a poorly grounded system, in most cases, will be inadequate to keep the animal from walking through the fence. The first step in establishing a good grounding system is to install a minimum of three 6-foot-long galvanized ground rods to properly ground electric fence energizers. More powerful units may require up to eight or 10 rods.

Rods should be driven 5 ½ feet into the soil and spaced a minimum of 10 feet apart. Locate ground rods so they are highly visible, near permanent moisture and do not interfere with mowing or cultivation.

Connect the energizer to the ground rods with an insulated cable or 12 1/2-gauge galvanized wire and ground rod clamp. Use one continuous wire and firmly attach the wire to each rod with ground rod clamps. You can test the adequacy of your grounding system using a KV fence voltage meter. If the voltmeter reads less than 3,000 volts, then you may have the following problems:

 

- Not enough ground rods (this is the most common problem)

- Ground rods are too close together

- Poor connections between ground rods

- A short on the fence

When Allan and Michelle Gillbanks moved to their lifestyle property in Cambridge, NZ, they needed a way to keep their two miniature schnauzers safely contained. “They can be little escape artists, so we needed a foolproof solution to keep Gypsy and Bentley on our property and other dogs out,” says Allan. The couple had investigated pet proof fencing options for around their home and fencing off a separate area inside the house boundary for their canine companions. But they were quoted thousands of dollars.

A random social media post prompted the Gillbanks to look into one of Gallagher’s electric fencing solutions for cats and dogs. “My wife Michelle saw a Facebook post from a Gallagher employee who was using the fencing system for his dogs and we thought, that’s exactly what we need,” says Allan. Their lifestyle property was already fenced, with standard seven wire fences around the home. It even came complete with insulators, so it was ready to be powered up. The only thing the Gillbanks needed to do was fence a five-metre strip to split the yard in half and create a contained space for Gypsy and Bentley.

“Using a basic wire, a few Waratah Standards and Gallagher’s S6 Lithium Solar Fence Energizer for power, Gypsy and Bentley were safely contained within 25 minutes,” says Allan. Within a few minutes of powering up the fence, Gypsy and Bentley realised there were “ghosts in the garden” and did not go near the white electric fence wires.

Allan wishes they had found the Gallagher fencing solution sooner. The couple had previously spent a small fortune on an outdoor crate for their pets. Allan says they were difficult to put together and eventually got destroyed in a storm. “The Gallagher system was so easy to install and really is value for money.” The S6 Lithium is solar powered, which means Allan can set it and forget it. 

“We don’t need to change or charge batteries and we know it will be powered 24/7. There’s nothing we need to do to manage it. It’s so easy to use, anyone can do it. “You just push a button to turn it on and push a button to turn it off. If I’m mowing around the house, I just turn it off, move the Waratah fence, mow the lawn and turn it on again.”

Allan says many lifestyle block owners with dogs think electric fencing is expensive and just for large scale farmers. But the Gillbanks’ experience shows that, with the right products for the job, it can be versatile and cost effective.

For South Canterbury dairy graziers Nigel and Gina Gardner spending hours moving break fences every day is a thing of the past thanks to Gallagher’s virtual fencing solution, eShepherd™.

The couple operates an intensive grazing operation across 350 hectares, running up to 800 dairy heifers, raising 150 jersey bulls for breeding and maintaining a small herd of 90 beef steers.

Efficient pasture management is at the heart of their operation. They need to effectively manage pasture residuals to keep their grass growing year-round and optimise their grazing to get the best animal growth rates possible for their clients.

“We have more fences than the average grazier because we run our dairy grazers in smaller mobs so we can focus on getting great growth rates for our clients,” says Gina.

“I used to be a dairy farmer, so I know where heifer weights need to be and I don't want to be sending anything back that I'm not happy with,” says Nigel.

However, their approach saw Nigel moving up to 20 break fences a day, so they started searching for a better way. They discovered eShepherd, which they started using on 150 grazing heifers in October 2023.

eShepherd trains cattle to remain within a virtual fencing barrier, which Nigel has set up on his laptop ready to activates from an app on his phone. It allows him to move and contain the livestock anywhere on the farm. The system also provides 24/7 insights and data on animal health and performance.

“It was amazing to see how easily and quickly the cows adapted. The biggest job was actually unpacking all the neckbands, activating each one and getting them turned on. As far as putting them on the animals and getting the virtual fencing working, within half a day, the heifers knew what was going on,” says Nigel.

Pasture is the backbone of the Gardner’s business. While they have had some good seasons recently, Nigel says the seasons are changing and becoming drier, which will present challenges for them.

“How we manage our pasture is key,” says Nigel. “I can't have mobs free-ranging and burning up pasture because then I end up needing a lot more supplement, which can be costly. Home-grown pasture is the most efficient feed, so we need to be smart about how we use it.”

The couple says Gallagher has been with them every step of the way on their eShepherd journey with after-sales advice and support. Nigel and Gina believe eShepherd has transformed part of their operation and given them better work-life balance.

“I'm not out there winding up electric fences or moving electric fences every day,” says Nigel. “In the eShepherd app, I remove, add and create breaks several days in advance and activate them daily or as necessary at the touch of a button. It’s that easy.”

Nigel and Gina wanted to put the system to the test, so Nigel programmed the breaks before they left for a long weekend. Rather than ask his farm manager to shift the mobs he activated the fence movements himself from their holiday location.

“It worked perfectly. I checked with my farm manager and the mobs had moved onto the new breaks no issues at all,” says Nigel.

He says eShepherd has made grass management so much easier.

“Using eShepherd means I can move mobs at any time of the day or night depending on the feed that’s available,” says Nigel.

“While I’m having breakfast, I use my phone to move the two mobs that have eShepherd neckbands. When I'm out moving those that are behind a traditional electric fence, I quickly check on my eShepherd mobs to make sure they have moved themselves and they're happy. Over time as we get used to using the new technology, I won’t feel the need to do that anymore.”

Gina says eShepherd is saving them time and freeing up brain space to be able to oversee their business in a different way.

“We have been away a couple of times since introducing eShepherd and Nigel's been able to see what's happening on farm, even though he's not here. It gives us real peace of mind,” says Gina.

The Gardners can see the potential to share data from eShepherd with heifer owners to reassure them about their animals’ progress while they are off farm for grazing.

After seeing the benefits of eShepherd over the last five months, Nigel and Gina now plan to expand the use of the virtual fencing solution across their operation, as investment allows.

“We’ve had so much positive feedback from our business partners, clients, and the farming community about the results we’re getting with eShepherd,” says Gina. “There is so much potential for technology to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our farm we would be silly not to consider rolling it out further.”

In the aftermath of devastating wildfires, ranchers face significant challenges in restoring their land and managing livestock effectively. Wildfires often destroy not only vegetation but also miles of traditional fencing, leaving landowners scrambling for solutions to protect recovering areas while maintaining grazing efficiency. Virtual fencing technology, such as eShepherd, has become a revolutionary tool for ranchers navigating these difficult circumstances.

Virtual fencing offers numerous advantages to ranchers as they rebuild after a wildfire:

• Protects Vulnerable Areas: Virtual fencing helps keep livestock out of damaged or regenerating areas, allowing vegetation to recover naturally.

• Reduces Costs: With no need to rebuild or repair physical fences, ranchers save both time and money during the recovery process.

• Supports Erosion Control: By preventing grazing in fire-affected areas, virtual fencing protects fragile soil from erosion.

• Enables Dynamic Management: Ranchers can adjust grazing boundaries as vegetation regrows, making it easier to adapt to changing conditions.

• Promotes Sustainability: Virtual fencing prevents overgrazing, supports biodiversity, and contributes to long-term land health.

• Streamlines Operations: By replacing physical fences with easily adjustable digital boundaries, livestock management becomes more efficient.

• Improves Disaster Resilience: Virtual fencing provides ranchers with a flexible and future-ready tool to cope with the increasing risks of wildfires.

• Enhances Livestock Health: Animals graze in safer, carefully managed zones, reducing stress and promoting well-being.

 

Environmental Recovery Through Technology

Wildfires leave the land vulnerable to erosion, invasive species, and the loss of vital soil nutrients. Virtual fencing allows ranchers to protect these fragile areas while they recover, encouraging the regrowth of native plants and stabilizing the soil. This contributes to water retention and helps restore the natural biodiversity of the land.

By leveraging this innovative technology, ranchers are not only protecting the environment but also ensuring the future viability of their operations. Virtual fencing allows for precise grazing management, giving ranchers greater control over the recovery process while maintaining their livestock's needs.

Adaptability for a Changing Climate
As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity due to climate change, ranchers need flexible, cost-effective tools to sustain their operations. eShepherd’s virtual fencing system offers a forward-thinking solution that aligns with the realities of modern agriculture. Its adaptability and ease of use make it an essential tool for rebuilding after wildfires and preparing for future challenges.

Shaping the Future of Ranching
The adoption of virtual fencing after wildfires marks a significant evolution in livestock management. Beyond aiding in disaster recovery, tools like eShepherd empower ranchers to operate more sustainably and efficiently. By embracing this technology, ranchers are rebuilding stronger and contributing to broader environmental resilience.

Virtual fencing is not just a recovery tool—it’s the cornerstone of modern ranching in an era of increasing environmental challenges.

In the wide-open plains of South Dakota, a quiet revolution is taking place. At Jorgenson Landing Cattle, CEO Nick Jorgenson is leading the charge by implementing cutting-edge virtual fencing technology to tackle one of modern ranching’s biggest logistical challenges: managing large herds across vast expanses of land without exhausting manpower or infrastructure.

Spanning 13,000 acres and home to 1,500 Angus females, the ranch faced steep demands with traditional rotational grazing methods. Moving cattle with physical fencing was not only labor-intensive but also inefficient. That’s where the Gallagher eShepherd™ virtual fencing system entered the picture — offering a smart, scalable solution that’s already paying dividends.

A New Age of Grazing

By adopting virtual fencing, Jorgenson's team significantly cut down the need for permanent fencing and physical labor. The system uses GPS-enabled neckbands to set virtual boundaries, allowing cattle to be moved or contained using nothing but a mobile app. For Nick, the impact has been twofold: simplified herd management and healthier, more productive pastures.

“We’re mimicking what the bison did here centuries ago,” Nick explains. “This means longer rest periods for the grass, which rejuvenates the land and fosters a healthier ecosystem overall.”

This natural grazing rhythm is more than just eco-friendly; it's regenerative. The grasslands benefit from the rest, the soil recovers, and biodiversity begins to flourish — a rare balance of productivity and conservation in modern agriculture.

Real-Time Control and Peace of Mind

One of the biggest advantages of the Gallagher eShepherd system is the real-time monitoring it provides. With just a glance at his mobile device, Nick can check the location and status of every animal on the property — all without setting foot in the pasture.

This instant oversight allows the ranch team to proactively identify issues such as a stray cow or a malfunctioning collar. The result? Less stress, quicker response times, and greater peace of mind.

Technology That Works for the Rancher

Jorgenson notes that the setup process was surprisingly simple. The eShepherd collars come pre-assembled, minimizing technical hurdles and making it accessible even to those with limited tech experience. The system is intuitive, reliable, and integrates seamlessly into daily ranch operations.

What’s more, Nick has observed notable improvements in cattle behavior and welfare, particularly among calves. The virtual boundaries allow younger animals to graze in more nutrient-rich areas, leading to better growth and nutritional outcomes.

Eye on the Future

Encouraged by the system’s success, Nick plans to expand virtual fencing to the entire herd within five years. His enthusiastic endorsement could signal a broader shift in the industry as ranchers seek sustainable, efficient, and scalable management tools.

“Virtual fencing is more than a tech upgrade,” Nick says. “It’s a paradigm shift in how we think about land stewardship, animal care, and the future of ranching.”

A Model for Modern Ranching

Nick Jorgenson’s experience with the Gallagher eShepherd™ system is a compelling example of how innovation can be harnessed to solve age-old agricultural problems. His approach blends tradition with technology, respecting the land’s natural rhythms while pushing toward a smarter, more sustainable future.

From ecological regeneration to operational efficiency, the story unfolding at Jorgenson Landing Cattle is one of transformation — and it’s only just begun.