A new form of fencing technology will give farmers the opportunity to keep their herds safe without building physical structures.

Nofence’s virtual fencing system uses GPS-powered collars and will allow farmers to control grazing patterns, reduce operational costs and enhance environmental outcomes.

This new technology will allow farmers to manage livestock through the Nofence app using cellular networks and keep track of where their animals are without the construction of fencing.

Advocates for Nofence state that it allows for easier livestock management and improved grazing rotations, as well as allowing for increased time managementAdvocates for Nofence state that it allows for easier livestock management and improved grazing rotations, as well as allowing for increased time management When the animals approach the virtual fence, an escalating acoustic sound is played and if they ignore the sound they will get a light electrical pulse. The manufacturers claim that the animals quickly learn the lay of the land, and within 5-10 days, depending on animal breed, become trained to remain within the boundaries.

Donald Macsween, a crofter from the Isle of Lewis, began using the system three years ago and the savings he has made have allowed him to grow his herd from five to 26 cattle.

“This year, I’ll probably spend £1,500 on feed for my 26 cattle. Without Nofence, those costs would have been between £8,000 and £10,000,” Mr Macsween explained. “I’m seeing an 80-90% savings in feed costs.”

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With Nofence’s precise grazing control, Mr Macsween can now manage a larger grazing area, including previously unused land. This expansion in grazing space has significantly reduced the amount of supplementary feed required to sustain his herd, keeping his cattle on pasture for longer.

He has also seen an increase in time efficiency since using the app. He said: “I was literally by the pool changing boundaries in the app.

“There’s no stress anymore—no more phone calls about cows on the road. The collars save me so much time and effort. I know where my cattle are at all times,”

David Girwan, from Corrimony Farm in the Highlands, has praised the technology as a way of managing his livestock while also allowing wildlife to flourish without the restrictions of fencing. Mr Girwan, who farms beside a nature reserve stated that the Nofence technology has reduced fencing costs as well as preventing birds colliding with a litany of fences.

Given the reserves land is grazed infrequently, the use of this technology has saved in erecting temporary fencing and allowed for more even and efficient grazing patterns across the land. He also praised the ability to track his herd in real time, allowing for a streamlined process of finding his cattle.

For David, this peace of mind has been especially valuable. "I’ve got it, my father has access, and the reserve ranger has access too. It means I don’t have to worry. If I’m away, I get notifications, and I’d just let someone know at home if anything happens." David highlighted how this collaboration works in practice: "I can just draw [the area the animals are grazing] on the map quite simply and then tell the ranger, and he can fine-tune it if he wants. It means we both look at it. I can make sure there’s access to water, and he can check any areas he wants to exclude." This joint oversight ensures that both cattle welfare and local biodiversity are balanced, allowing the land to thrive.