By Blake Jackson
For decades, moving livestock to fresh pasture has meant long days tearing down and resetting physical fences. A new project led by the University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture is changing that reality, offering producers a more efficient way to manage grazing without posts or wires.
Supported by a $900,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the three-year initiative is testing virtual fencing technology with five Missouri livestock producers. The system relies on GPS-enabled collars and a mobile app that uses sound and mild shock cues to guide animals. The goal is to improve grazing management on cover crops while saving time and labor for farmers.
Kaitlyn Dozler, manager of Mizzou’s Virtual Fence Program, is leading the project with Rob Myers, a professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and director of the Mizzou Center for Regenerative Agriculture. The focus is on farms where livestock graze cover crops, which help protect soil and improve long-term productivity.
“Farmers might be out multiple times a day moving their physical fences in extreme weather, so using virtual fencing can make their lives so much easier,” Dozler said. “One producer told me she was able to take a vacation for the first time in five years because she knew she could just go online at any time and see exactly where her goats were.”
Four participating producers are using the technology with cattle, while one is testing it with sheep. They are also sharing their experiences at events such as the 2026 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show.
“Farmers trust other farmers,” Dozler said. “By hearing about the experiences from those who have tried the new technology, it becomes a smoother process for producers wanting to adopt it on their farms.”
Chris Hudson, who farms near Middletown, Missouri, reported major gains after collaring 50 head of cattle. “I also like how the app allows me to see where each individual cow is at all times,” Hudson said.
Dozler said the biggest benefit is confidence and flexibility. “Giving people the flexibility to spend more time with their family is so rewarding.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle