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# eShepherd Webinar OCT 2025 Episode 10

${youtube}[eShepherd Virtual Fencing Webinar October 2025 Episode 10](l2FbnMpcpQU)

### Recap

###### Introduction and Webinar Purpose

Jacey from the Gallagher North America team welcomed attendees and introduced the purpose of the webinar: to share real-world producer experiences with eShepherd, address customer questions, and support both new and existing users. She introduced **Alberta producer Nick Kunik**, who shared how he used eShepherd throughout a challenging, dry grazing season.


###### Producer Experience – Nick (Alberta, Canada)

Nick operates in **northeastern Alberta**, a region with long winters, low rainfall, and limited growing seasons. As a regenerative and certified organic producer, he uses eShepherd to increase grazing efficiency, reduce labour, and improve land resilience.


###### Grazing Environment and Approach

* Experiences very low rainfall (only ~7 inches this year).
* Uses **regenerative, high-density, non-selective grazing**.
* Moves cattle multiple times per day to improve utilisation and maximise rest periods.


###### Why Nick Adopted eShepherd

* Reduce the labour of shifting physical fences.
* Improve utilisation in **brushy, wooded, and previously under-grazed areas**.
* Enable ultra-high-density grazing for better manure distribution and pasture renewal.
* Maintain or increase stocking rates during drought.
* Support long-term regenerative and organic management goals.


###### Grazing Coverage and Pasture Utilisation

Using eShepherd, Nick moves cattle up to **8–9 times per day**, giving roughly ½ acre per move. He observed:
* **Improved utilisation** of brush, woody plants, and weedy species.
* Cattle eating plants they normally avoid, including dogbane and woody regrowth.
* Increased manure concentration, enhancing soil fertility.
* Clear visual grazing lines showing strong contrast between grazed and ungrazed areas.
* Flexible ability to draw **laneways**, adjust paddocks, and graze difficult terrain.


###### Labour Savings

Nick noted significant labour reductions:
* No daily fence building or repairs.
* Can schedule multiple moves days in advance.
* Able to leave the ranch for extended periods (e.g., travel, hockey games).
* Only needs quick daily checks to confirm feed utilisation and general cattle behaviour.


###### Remote Management

* Nick schedules move intervals (e.g., every 2–3 hours) directly in the app.
* The system advances cattle automatically to fresh feed.
* He monitors progress remotely through his phone or computer.
* Historical fences, landmarks, and animal locations provide full visibility.


###### Animal Behaviour and Training

* Cattle learned the system **within a day**.
* Calves roam freely but do not cause cows to escape the boundary.
* Even known fence-crawling cows stayed within virtual boundaries.
* Calf performance remained strong, with healthy weights and behaviour.


###### Weather and Environment

* eShepherd worked reliably in brushy, uneven terrain.
* Neckbands held up well through mud, water, and physical impact.
* Virtual fencing allowed access to forested areas that were previously difficult to graze.


###### Winter Plans and Future Use

Nick plans to continue using eShepherd during winter to:
* Move cattle daily to **fresh snow-covered forage**.
* Improve bale grazing by controlling access to small bale groups.
* Extend the grazing season and reduce feed costs.
* Test solar neckband performance through low-sunlight periods.

### Questions and Answers

**Q: How long does it take cattle to learn the system?**
**A:** Most cattle learn the audio cue within **less than a day**, including animals that previously broke physical fences.

**Q: Do calves without collars cause cows to escape?**
**A:** No. Calves naturally roam further as they grow, but cows remain calm and stay inside the virtual boundary.

**Q: Can eShepherd be used in brush, timber, or wooded areas?**
**A:** Yes. Nick used virtual fences widely in dense bush, allowing cattle to graze areas that would be difficult or impossible to fence manually.

**Q: How do you manage water access using virtual fencing?**
**A:** Nick draws **virtual laneways** (around 10 m wide) to direct cattle to dugouts or water points without physical fencing.

**Q: Does the system require strong cell coverage?**
**A:** If you can send/receive text messages in an area, eShepherd usually works well. Gallagher can assess whether cellular or LoRa is the best option for your property.

**Q: Will the neckbands function reliably in Canadian winter?**
**A:** Neckbands can operate for **7–8 days** without sunlight and recharge with even short windows of sun. Winter performance will be monitored closely.

**Q: Can the system be used on bulls?**
**A:** Yes. Bulls may require **longer chains** and thread-lock on bolts due to their behaviour and physical impact.

**Q: Can cattle be moved long distances with virtual fencing?**
**A:** Yes. Feed motivation works well, and some producers use virtual laneways to move cattle to corrals or distant paddocks.