Dobson's Farm Uses Virtual Fencing for Strip Grazing
Discover how Jack Dobson uses strip grazing and virtual fencing to optimize pasture management and boost farm productivity.
This grazing season, Jack Dobson, founder of Dunbia, one of Europe's leading food companies, put Monil’s virtual fencing system to the test. Dobson's farm in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, finishes 600 - 700 cattle annually. Their goal was to see how Monil could help with strip grazing and improve pasture management. Andrew Watters, who runs the farm's daily operations, shared their experience using Monil to graze 20 cattle more efficiently.
“We’ve used Monil to manage our grazing more precisely, which has helped us get more out of our grass," says Andrew. "It allowed us to move the cows more often—something you wouldn't normally do if you had to shift a physical fence every day manually.”
For Andrew, the virtual fencing didn’t just save time; it brought tangible benefits. By moving the animals frequently, they’ve been able to maximize their pasture’s productivity while also spreading manure more evenly. “We moved the animals to one side and applied slurry to the other—without having to bother with gates. That saved us a lot of hassle,” he adds.
One thing Andrew emphasizes is that Monil has helped save on fencing costs. “Our physical fences are getting old, and Monil has allowed us to make better use of the land without needing to replace them right away,” he notes.
Although they had a few hiccups, like one collar malfunctioning in August, Monil’s support team quickly responded and sent a replacement. They also learned a few tricks along the way, like how to properly fit the collars to avoid them slipping off the younger animals with smaller heads. “We found it best to install the lock on one side of the collar first, then adjust it carefully so it’s snug but not too tight. You want to make sure it can rotate around the neck for comfort,” says Andrew.
Strip Grazing Improves Productivity of Pastures
Despite the minor issues, Andrew is pleased with the overall results. “The system did a great job training the cows. We tracked around 2,700 sound signals per day but hardly any shocks, which means the animals learned to respect the boundaries quickly and stayed comfortable.”
The flexibility of Monil’s virtual fencing has not only helped with grass management but has also made everyday tasks easier. Whether moving animals or monitoring their behavior in real-time, Andrew believes Monil is helping them get the most out of their farm’s resources.
Dobson Farms found that Monil offers a practical solution to improve pasture use, reduce fencing costs, and simplify daily farm work for anyone curious about virtual fencing.
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