Virtual Fencing in Livestock Management: Effects on Beef Cattle Stress and Enhancing Wildlife Conservation

Authors

Kaitlyn E. Dozler, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Andrew Little

Second Advisor

Mitchell Stephenson

Committee Members

Larkin Powell, Travis Mulliniks

Date of this Version

7-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

A thesis resented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Major: Natural Resource Sciences

Under the supervision of Professors Andrew Little and Mitchell Stephenson

Lincoln, Nebraska, July 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Kaitlyn E. Dozler. Used by permission

Abstract

I examined the effects of virtual fencing on beef cattle stress and how implementing the technology can aid wildlife habitat conservation at the University of Nebraska Gudmundsen Sandhills laboratory (GSL) near Whitman, NE. First, I examined how virtual fencing influences acute heart rate changes in beef cattle fitted with the virtual fencing collars. No significant difference in the average heart rate of a cow (P > 0.05) was observed between the 30 min control and virtual fenced periods for both trial dates. Second, I examined the influence of topography on wildlife species richness and presence at GSL using wildlife camera traps. The study focused on the ranches’ three main topographical areas dry valleys, dune tops and sub-irrigated meadows. No significant difference in species richness was detected between the three topographical areas (P > 0.05). Species presence was significantly greater in sub-irrigated meadows compared to dune tops and dry valleys (P < 0 .05). The results from these studies can be used to implement precision grazing management strategies that benefit both cattle grazing and wildlife conservation in agriculturally dominated landscapes.

Advisors: Under the Supervision of Professors Andrew Little and Mitchell Stephenson