Unlocking Better Grazing in Aberdeenshire

Robert Marshall, a beef farmer in Aberdeenshire, runs Kincraigie Farm alongside his wife and two children. He manages a herd of 450 breeding cows. He has Shorthorn cross and Simmental cattle, and has long faced the challenge of utilizing rough terrain that is difficult to fence.

With the introduction of Monil’s virtual fences, Robert has found an effective solution to unlocking these previously underutilized grazing areas.

“From the very beginning the whole process has been very simple and has made managing a difficult area of land very easy,” Robert shares.

Quick Learning for Grazing in Challenging Terrain

Robert was positively surprised by how quickly his cattle adapted to the virtual fencing system. Following the recommended training protocol, he placed the virtual fence 4–5 meters inside a physical fence, ensuring the cows frequently encountered the boundary in the first few days. By keeping the training area small, the cattle learned the system swiftly, allowing him to transition to using only the virtual fence after just a few days.

“The speed at which the cows adapted was impressive,” Robert says. The system makes it easier for him to know where his flock is at all times of the day: “It’s a great management tool, because you can look on the app and see the stock has all moved. You see they are together as a group and that they are okay.”

Unlocking New Opportunities

Looking ahead, Robert is eager to expand his rotational grazing practices. With 450 cattle to manage, having the ability to move them efficiently is a game changer. He sells his calves at 10–14 months old through the auction ring, and better grazing management is set to improve his herd’s condition and productivity.

Virtual fencing also makes it viable for him to rent additional land, particularly on the hills where poor fencing has previously made it impractical. “Being able to graze previously unusable land is a huge benefit,” Robert explains.

Currently, the focus is solely on hill grazing, but Robert aims to implement more rotational grazing in the future, with Monil as his preferred tool for the job. He adds that he looks forward to seeing more cost benefits moving forward.

Advice for Farmers on the Fence

Based on his experience, Robert’s top tip for other farmers is to ensure the devices are not adjusted too tightly on the animals. “The devices turn back the right way up quickly after they rotate, and the fence still works even when the device is upside down, so it’s nothing to worry about,” he advises.

With virtual fencing, Robert is unlocking new grazing areas and improving efficiency, paving the way for a more sustainable and productive future at Kincraigie Farm.

Want to see Monil in action? Sign up to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on when we are in your area.

Ready to talk to someone about how virtual fencing could benefit your grazing operations? Request an offer today.