Norway goats don't need fences anymore as they refuse to cross invisible line created by new technology

The idea of using an invisible fence to keep herds and cattle from drifting and getting distracted is still gaining traction after its introduction in 2021. According to Modern Farmer, the experiment gained popularity after a few goats in Norway were restricted to their pen with the fence. The mechanism involves high-end technology where a wire is placed around the pen as a fence, and the cattle or herd have collars on. If they try to leave or step out of the boundary marked by the wire, they receive a warning followed by a light electric shock. Calling them “cyber goats,” the mechanism has gained traction across Norway, and farmers are contemplating its usage. 

According to Norwegian Sci Tech News, the idea of creating the invisible fence was to replace traditional, physical fences. Digital collars are placed on each of the goats, which become the equipment to aid the fence. The signalling allows the farmer to get notified on his phone or tablet when any goat tries to escape or move out of the marked spot. It also beeps on the collar as a warning in a gradually increasing tone, prompting the animal to stop. If they persist, the warning eventually moves to a light shock. Goats are reported to be able to understand the stimuli that cause the beeping and eventually avoid crossing the wire.

Since traditional fencing methods are not only expensive but also time-consuming and require a lot of manpower, this technique is aimed at bringing relief to farmers. One of the most interesting parts is that the farmer can easily use his device to track a goat if it’s lost or stuck. One of the researchers, Roger A. Søraa, noted that this technique has been implemented to help farmers with efficiency and reduce the losses they face. “Without this technology, fewer people would be able to continue as goat farmers, because they often need to have a second job,” the researcher noted.

Over 2,400 farmers were already using the technology as of 2021. Over 27,000 animals are using collars for the No Fence implementation. Research published in Science Direct, the invisible fence is referred to as a “boundary-less boundary object.” It aims to give herds the freedom to move around within the arranged space without any worry of them getting distracted or lost. The main idea is to bring contemporary technology to farming and have farmers adapt to it. So far, farmers are finding it decent to use, given the perks it offers but there is still more testing and in-depth study to be done to ensure that farming and the well-being of the cattle are not affected. 

The plan is to test and be able to use the technique correctly for other cattle, such as sheep and cows, as well. In a now-deleted post shared on Facebook, the technology promises "more flexibility and control" with walking herds. The only drawback is that cows and sheep may be more timid or not as smart as goats in understanding the cues. “Effective implementation is important in terms of technology, policy, and user-friendliness,” Søraa explained. 

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