Introducing Auchernack Farm

Nestled among rolling hills and expansive woodland in the Scottish Highlands, Auchernack Farm is a sprawling 800-acre mixed beef and arable enterprise. Fourth-generation farmers, Calum and Hamish Smith, have recently taken over the reins from their father, continuing a proud legacy of innovation and land stewardship. With 150 suckler cows, 200 acres of arable ground, and the remaining land consisting of challenging hill ground and rough woodland, the team at Auchernack is no stranger to working with nature’s complexities.

Partnering with the Monitor Farm Program

The opportunity to innovate came through the Monitor Farm program—a platform that connects progressive farms with new technologies and methodologies. Auchernack Farm had already been a Monitor Farm for three years when they heard whispers of a new trial involving virtual fencing technology, led by Monil. The timing was ideal. With a 12-kilometre stretch of land requiring costly traditional fencing, virtual collars presented a compelling, cost-effective alternative.

“It felt like divine timing(...) We hadn’t even considered virtual fencing before this.”

Setting Up the Technology

Initial skepticism was quickly replaced with surprise at the simplicity of the system. “Usually when something seems too good to be true, it is—but not this time,” Calum said. With Monil’s team on-site, the collars were easily fitted using the farm's existing handling systems. Each animal’s ID was assigned to a collar, and after a couple of days adjusting to the new sensation, the cows were completely comfortable. “They don’t even notice the collars now,” he added.

Benefits Beyond Expectations

From day one, the collars transformed how the team managed their cattle and their land:

• Ease of Use: The system was intuitive and hassle-free. Adjusting grazing boundaries became a digital task, removing the need for physical labor.
• Peace of Mind: With real-time monitoring, locating animals—even across 200+ acres—became effortless. “If I hadn’t had the collars on them, they’d have the run of the whole place,” Calum explained. “Now I know exactly where they are at all times.”
• Land Regeneration: Controlled grazing allowed the team to target underused or previously unsuitable sections of the farm. “What we’re standing on now wouldn’t have been of any use before,” Calum shared. Strategic rotation let the land rest, rejuvenate, and return to lush pasture, proving how modern management can bring old ground back to life.

Looking Ahead: Smarter, Not Harder

The farmers are enthusiastic about what the future holds. They’re especially excited about upcoming features such as heat detection, which would further optimize livestock breeding cycles. Suggestions for additional enhancements include better app labeling options—like distinguishing bulls from cows using color-coding—and refining collar fit for heifers prone to weight fluctuation. Even minor setbacks have been met with clever solutions:

“Lost collars? Simple—set a small fenced pen with some barley, and only the collarless cows can enter.”

Conclusion: A Game Changer for Hill Farming

For Auchernack Farm, virtual fencing has been more than a convenience—it’s been a game changer. By allowing smarter grazing, better land management, and reduced labor, it has empowered the next generation of farmers to continue evolving their operation with confidence.

“These days, you have to work hard for everything. But if you can work smarter—why wouldn’t you?”

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