Interest in precision livestock technologies, including the use of virtual fence to enhance grazing management, has been growing. This technology is being adapted by producers in North Dakota to implement grazing strategies that benefit livestock production and conservation.

Despite the increase in use of virtual fence at the ranch scale, many ranchers still have questions about the technology and its application in their production system.

North Dakota State University Extension and Ducks Unlimited are partnering with North Dakota ranchers to host a Tailgate Tech Talk series. These events are being held in the field so participants can see the technology in action and learn from ranchers using virtual fence. NDSU researchers will also share results from their virtual fence research.

“In 2024, no producers in North Dakota had implemented these technologies,” says Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “Now, several producers in the state have started using the technology, in large part due to assistance programs offered by Ducks Unlimited and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.”

There are four upcoming Tailgate Tech Talks, each starting at 10 a.m.

• Aug. 18 at Gurr Lake Angus, near Rolette
• Aug. 20 at the Sheyenne National Grasslands, near McLeod
• Aug. 27 at S Bar S Ranch, near Beulah
• Sept. 23 at Black Leg Ranch, near McKenzie

Each event will also feature a different virtual fence product currently available to North Dakota ranchers, so participants will have the opportunity to learn more about each product and its features.

“The adaptation of these technologies has the potential to enhance grazing management while reducing labor,” says Meehan. “The goal of the talks is to help ranchers better understand the different technologies available and the pros and cons of integrating these technologies into their production systems.”

To learn more about the talks, visit ndsu.ag/TechTalks-26.

These events are free of charge because of sponsorship from Vence, Halter, Nofence and Gallagher eShepherd.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – July 28, 2026

Source: Miranda Meehan, 701-219-9251, miranda.meehan@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu