Virtual fencing pilot program launched

The Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT) recently launched a virtual fencing pilot program aimed at making virtual fencing technology more accessible for small producers in Sheridan County.

Supported by the Plank Stewardship Initiative, the project seeks to connect small producers with virtual fencing technology at a more affordable price and give area ranchers an opportunity to test the technology in a practical manner, grounded in real working conditions.

The project

The Small Producer Virtual Fence Pilot Program will allow five to 10 local ranchers running 10 to 50 head of cattle to test virtual fencing technology on their operations at a lower cost, with a goal of 250 head of participating cattle in total. 

According to a March 25 press release issued by SCLT, cost and scale are two of the biggest hurdles to implementing virtual fencing technology, as most systems are built for larger operations and require a minimum number of animals to get started. 

The SCLT project seeks to close this gap and bring virtual fencing technology to smaller operations. 

SCLT will provide GPS collars and cover the annual internet fee required to operate the system. The organization will also pay one-half of the annual subscription cost for participating small producers, reducing the standard cost of $90 per collar annually to $45 per collar per year for the duration of the three-year program. 

SCLT Director of Conservation and Resource Management John Graves says the project is about “putting a tool in the hands of local producers and seeing if it actually works for them on the ground.”

“We’ve heard from a lot of folks who are interested but just can’t make the numbers work at their scale,” says Graves in the press release. “This pilot is designed to take the first step with them and reduce some of the risk.”

Virtual fencing

In the fall of 2025, SCLT launched a local virtual fencing pilot project for larger producers in Sheridan County which has since brought the technology to nearly 1,000 head of cattle in the area.

The press release states the small producer project will build on this work with a focus on monitoring how the technology holds up across smaller, more fragmented areas of ground.

SCLT says virtual fencing has the potential to benefit cattle producers and the environment alike, with potential benefits ranging from reduced time spent on building fence and checking cattle to improving grazing distribution and protecting sensitive ecological areas without installing permanent infrastructure.

 “The balance between production and stewardship is something our producers already care about,” Graves says. “This just gives them another way to do both at the same time.”

SCLT emphasizes the pilot program is a learning project, and while SCLT will provide guidance and support, producers will remain in control of using the technology to manage cattle movement and make day-to-day decisions on their operations.

“If the project works as intended, it will prove smaller producers can use the same tools as larger operations to save time, improve grazing and care for the land,” the press release states. “Just as importantly, it will give producers the chance to decide for themselves whether it’s worth adopting long-term.”

How to participate

Small producers operating in Sheridan County who may be interested in participating in the pilot program are encouraged to visit the SCLT website at sheridanclt.org/small-producer-virtual-
fence-pilot-program/ for more information or to fill out an application.

SCLT will choose up to 10 producers to participate in the project, and selected producers will be notified following review. 

Collar deployment is anticipated to occur in late July through early August, with exact timing coordinated directly with participants based on individual schedules.

Since this is a working pilot, SCLT reminds prospective partners to expect involvement with initial setup, including assisting with collaring cattle and familiarizing themselves with the virtual fencing system. 

In addition, the organization says ongoing feedback will also be an important part of the project as SCLT works alongside producers to get a feel for what works best in real-world conditions. 

Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.