After a wildfire, the grass usually comes back before the fences do. Rebuilding wire, posts and gates across burnt range can take years, and until it’s done, that country is hard to use.
Woody at Four X Ranch, just down the road from us in Armstrong, found a way around that this season. He’s running 70 cows on Gallagher eShepherd virtual fencing collars, connected direct to cellular, and he’s using them to graze ground that no longer has fences or natural barriers to hold cattle.
Easy to Get Started
Woody’s first impression was how simple the setup was. “The collars have been easy to get started with,” he says. Because the collars connect direct to cellular, there was no base station to set up first.
Training went quickly too. The cows learned the system in about 10 days, and once that training period was done, Woody turned them out.
Using Burnt Range Before It’s Rebuilt
Woody, Four X Ranch
This is where eShepherd made the biggest difference for Four X. Fire took out the fences and the natural barriers that would normally keep cattle where they belong. With virtual paddocks, Woody could set boundaries on the app and put cattle on that country right away, without waiting for crews to rebuild.
For ranchers dealing with fire on their range, that means feed they would otherwise lose for a season or more is back in use.
Putting Cattle Where the Grass Is
Beyond the burn, Woody likes being able to target graze. Virtual paddocks let him put cattle on specific areas and keep them there, then move the boundary when he’s ready.
The Verdict
“It’s been a smooth process. Overall, we’ve just been real happy.”
Woody, Four X Ranch
Got Range You Can’t Fence Right Now?
Whether it’s burnt country, a lease with no fences, or pasture you want to graze more precisely, we can help you figure out collar numbers, coverage, and available funding. Get in touch with Okanagan Ranch and Fence Supplies to start the conversation.
