Cattle adaption to virtual fences in semi-natural pastures with multiple virtual borders : impact on behaviour and level of cortisol in faeces and hair in comparison to physical electric fences

Abstract

The interest in GPS-based virtual fencing for grazing management of cattle, using audio cues combined with electric pulses, has increased in recent years. This thesis aimed to explore cattle adaptation to virtual fencing in semi-natural pastures with the relocation of multiple borders and to investigate the physiological and behavioural effects compared to traditional electric fencing. It presents results from two simultaneous studies (A and B) conducted from May to July 2022 in a seminatural pasture in Sweden. Study A examined the learning curve and adaptation of seven heifers to a virtual fence with one to four virtual borders and two relocations over six weeks. Study B compared FCM (faecal corticoid metabolite) and HCC (hair cortisol concentration) levels, behaviour, and activity between heifers exposed to either a virtual fence (VFG) or a physical electric fence (EFG) over seven weeks. Results showed that the heifers, within seven days, learned to turn at the audio cue to avoid the electric pulse and improved their adaption and management skills over time, regardless of the number and relocation of the virtual borders. The results revealed higher FCM levels in VFG at the beginning of the pasture period compared to EFG. However, this difference was evident even before the virtual fence was introduced, suggesting that the stress response might be due to unknown factors rather than the fencing system itself. This was also supported by similar HCC levels and weight changes between groups, indicating no long-term stress. Additionally, no differences in behaviour were observed that could be attributed to stress. In conclusion, the findings suggest that virtual fences can be a promising alternative for grazing management in semi-natural pastures, with a similar impact on cortisol response and behaviour compared to traditional electric fences.

Keywords

Virtual fence; Cattle; Learning curve; Stress; Cortisol; Behaviour; Precision livestock farming; Semi-natural pasture; Virtuellt stängsel; Nötkreatur; Inlärningskurva; Stress; Kortisol; Beteende; Precisionsdjurhållning; Naturbetesmark

Published in

Rapporter från Husdjurens biovetenskaper
2024, number: 2024:2
Publisher: Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

SLU Authors

• Wahlund, Lotten

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.54612/a.18civrctsn
• ISBN: 978-91-8046-657-8
• eISBN: 978-91-8046-658-5

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/130943