Crosscut Now
Aug. 30, 2022 - Ranchers can herd cows from a computer
8/30/2022 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
With virtual fencing, ranchers can herd cows from a computer.
Using GPS collars and solar-powered towers, Washington's first virtual fence keeps cattle penned but lets other wildlife wander free.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Aug. 30, 2022 - Ranchers can herd cows from a computer
8/30/2022 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Using GPS collars and solar-powered towers, Washington's first virtual fence keeps cattle penned but lets other wildlife wander free.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(reverent news music) - I'm Jay Martin, Jr., in the Crosscut KCTS 9 newsroom.
(gentle music) Environmentalists are teaming up with ranchers to build virtual fences.
Okanogan County is home to Washington's first virtual fence, giving ranchers the power to herd cows from a computer.
Over the next year, a series of virtual fences are set to be built across 12 ranches in Washington.
These innovative, environmentally friendly, and mostly invisible devices will replace the traditional barbed and hot wire fences.
The technology, which uses GPS collars and solar-powered towers, was made commercially available last year by a company called Vence.
Conservation Northwest is a nonprofit environmental organization leading the way on some of the state's first virtual fence projects.
Program lead Jay Kehne believes this new technology could be game-changing and less vulnerable to fires.
I'm Jay Martin, Jr. Find nonprofit Northwest news every day on crosscut.com.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS