E-Barana: virtual fencing for intelligent management of extensive livestock farming
Start Date
1-gen-2018
End Date
1-mag-2020
Project Summary

Innovative collars equipped with GPS tracking sensors are developed to regulate the movement of livestock in remote mountainous regions without relying on physical barriers. This technology enables farmers to establish virtual boundaries via their mobile devices such as phones or tablets, allowing them to create numerous custom fences by defining coordinates. Furthermore, farmers can effortlessly adjust these boundaries to relocate their herds as needed, monitor the animals' movements, and promptly identify any potential issues.

Themes
  • Modern technology innovation
  • Work conditions and land access improvement
  • Biogeoghraphic Region
  • Alpine
  • Objective

    The practice aims at developing a unified system for monitoring livestock, in order to facilitate monitoring of animal movements, allowing for the diagnosis of potential issues such as lack of movement. It ultimately wants to reduce losses, damages, and accidents to Livestock.


    Good Practice Description

    This pilot innovation consists in the development of collars with GPS tracking sensors to restrict livestock movements without the use of physical barriers to be used in remote mountain areas. When the animal is approaching a virtual boundary, an acoustic signal sounds, increasing in intensity until a vibration or a small electric discharge is perceived. In this way, the animal learns the initial signals that limit their movement forward. The system also allows cattle movements to be guided by mobile phone or tablet.

    Tools and Equipment

    Collars to be applied on livestock, smartphone or tablet, battery

    Personnel

    Rancher

    Problems and Threats Faced

    Potential challenges include technical issues such as GPS signal disruptions and collar malfunctions, as well as concerns about animal adaptation to the deterrent signals emitted by the collars. Additionally, the initial investment and ongoing costs of the technology may be prohibitive for some farmers.