True Costs of Virtual Fencing
Primary Topic:
Agriculture
Other Topics:
Natural Resources
Lead Mentor:
Hannah Kersting
Gunnison County Director and Agriculture Specialist
Internship Overview:
The Gunnison County Extension Office is working with on campus partners and local producers to expand virtual fencing knowledge.
The first part of the internship will be gaining knowledge of the Vence Virtual Fence system. This will include learning how the system works, management of the cattle using the system, how to use the interface, and gaining some practical experience in successfully using virtual fencing.
The second part of the internship will include visiting and working with cattle producers in nearby counties who are currently using virtual fencing. The visits will be coordinated with other Extension personnel including Retta Bruegger and Robin Young, who currently work with producers using this system. The intern will visit and interview the producers about their use of the system, how much time investment it takes to manage the system, and problems that have arisen.
The information gathered from producers will be compiled to evaluate labor and management issues and time required for managing a virtual fencing system. These costs will be assessed along with equipment and set-up costs to evaluate an overall cost of virtual fencing systems that can be compared with time and labor-saving benefits.
A report will be produced as a final product to help cattle producers determine the viability of fencing systems for their operations.
The first part of the internship will be gaining knowledge of the Vence Virtual Fence system. This will include learning how the system works, management of the cattle using the system, how to use the interface, and gaining some practical experience in successfully using virtual fencing.
The second part of the internship will include visiting and working with cattle producers in nearby counties who are currently using virtual fencing. The visits will be coordinated with other Extension personnel including Retta Bruegger and Robin Young, who currently work with producers using this system. The intern will visit and interview the producers about their use of the system, how much time investment it takes to manage the system, and problems that have arisen.
The information gathered from producers will be compiled to evaluate labor and management issues and time required for managing a virtual fencing system. These costs will be assessed along with equipment and set-up costs to evaluate an overall cost of virtual fencing systems that can be compared with time and labor-saving benefits.
A report will be produced as a final product to help cattle producers determine the viability of fencing systems for their operations.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
The goals of the internship are to evaluate costs of using virtual fencing beyond the initial investment costs of equipment purchase and set-up.
By interviewing cattle producers in multiple counties we expect the results of the project will be applicable to cattle production systems across the Western Slope of Colorado.
Objectives are: 1.) Explore the practical issues associated with a new fencing technology 2.) Determine the labor and management costs of this fencing system compared to the benefits of using virtual fencing.
By interviewing cattle producers in multiple counties we expect the results of the project will be applicable to cattle production systems across the Western Slope of Colorado.
Objectives are: 1.) Explore the practical issues associated with a new fencing technology 2.) Determine the labor and management costs of this fencing system compared to the benefits of using virtual fencing.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
The intern will work with cattle producers in Gunnison County, Eagle County and Archuleta County, including the Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association. The intern will also work with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as well as the United States Forest Service.
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
The student will learn how the virtual fencing system works. They will also establish relationships with local and state-wide stakeholders. They will learn how to conduct interviews to gather information to help answer a research question. The student will be expected to interact with many different stakeholders in a professional manner – gaining connections to help them further their professional career.
Specific learning objectives include: 1) Experience with the Extension system. 2) Practical understanding of cattle fencing systems and management 3) Exposure to practical problem-solving 4) Understanding costs of labor and management and decision-making using basic cost-benefit analysis.
Specific learning objectives include: 1) Experience with the Extension system. 2) Practical understanding of cattle fencing systems and management 3) Exposure to practical problem-solving 4) Understanding costs of labor and management and decision-making using basic cost-benefit analysis.
