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Seminar

M.S. Thesis Defense - Kaitlyn Dozler

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

Date:
Time:
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Hardin Hall Room: 901 South
3310 Holdrege St
Lincoln NE 68583
Additional Info: HARH
Virtual Location: Zoom Webinar
Target Audiences:
Contact:
Andrew Little, alittle6@unl.edu
The Nebraska Sandhills are home to Nebraska’s top agriculture industry, beef cattle production, and various wildlife and plant species. The overlap of agriculture and natural resources in this area makes it challenging to maintain a profitable agriculture operation while minimizing negative impacts on the area’s natural resources. However, with the development of precision livestock management technology, new conservation methods are becoming accessible to ranchers that can aid in optimizing rangeland profitability and habitat conservation. Our study occurred during the 2023 summer grazing season at the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Research Laboratory. Two research studies were conducted to explore the effects of virtual fencing on beef cattle stress and examine how the Sandhills topography may influence wildlife species richness and abundance. Livestock producers who consider adopting new precision management technology, such as virtual fencing, hold animal welfare as a top priority. The first study examines how virtual fencing influences heart rate (HR) changes in cattle fitted with virtual fencing collars. The results indicated that cattle did not experience any significant increases in HR due to audio or shock cues, and the virtual fence did not appear to cause acute stress on the cattle. The second study aimed to identify critical wildlife habitats in rangeland landscapes and the factors that influence wildlife habitat selection. We explicitly focused on three main topographical areas spread throughout the ranch: dry valleys, dune tops, and wetlands/sub-irrigated meadows. The results showed no significant difference in species richness. However, there was a significant difference in overall species abundance amongst the three topographic areas, with abundance being greater in the sub-irrigated meadows. By integrating precision technology into livestock management and conservation practices, ranchers can create a sustainable and prosperous future for their livestock and the local ecosystem for future generations.

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