The Virtual Fencing (VF) system is an innovative technology for animals on pastures. In a VF system, physical boundaries are replaced by virtual ones, and the containment of animals is ensured by the delivery of two deterrent stimuli: an acoustic warning followed by an electrical pulse, if the animal continues to move away from the virtual boundary. It has been shown that animals learn the system within 2 to 4 days. However, it is unclear whether they can retain this learning after a period of non-use. A group of 12 lactating dairy cows were managed with VF collars (Nofence®) on a lowland pasture for a 6-day learning period, during which virtual boundaries were changed daily. The animals were then moved to a mountain pasture grazing for 3 months without using VF. This was followed by a VF re-learning period of 6 days. The study aimed to evaluate the retention of the learning capacity of the animals by assessing the differences in the emission of the acoustic warnings and electric pulses between two periods (learning vs. re-learning). The data were analysed using generalized mixed-effects models. The results showed that the total number of electric pulses was significantly higher during the learning period respect to re-learning period, with a high probability of receiving an electric pulses during the days. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that animals have the ability to retain learning after a period of non-use, confirming the flexibility in the use of the VF.
Re-learning process in dairy cows pastured with virtual fencing system
Cecchini V.;Rainis S.;Bovolenta S.;
2024-01-01
Abstract
The Virtual Fencing (VF) system is an innovative technology for animals on pastures. In a VF system, physical boundaries are replaced by virtual ones, and the containment of animals is ensured by the delivery of two deterrent stimuli: an acoustic warning followed by an electrical pulse, if the animal continues to move away from the virtual boundary. It has been shown that animals learn the system within 2 to 4 days. However, it is unclear whether they can retain this learning after a period of non-use. A group of 12 lactating dairy cows were managed with VF collars (Nofence®) on a lowland pasture for a 6-day learning period, during which virtual boundaries were changed daily. The animals were then moved to a mountain pasture grazing for 3 months without using VF. This was followed by a VF re-learning period of 6 days. The study aimed to evaluate the retention of the learning capacity of the animals by assessing the differences in the emission of the acoustic warnings and electric pulses between two periods (learning vs. re-learning). The data were analysed using generalized mixed-effects models. The results showed that the total number of electric pulses was significantly higher during the learning period respect to re-learning period, with a high probability of receiving an electric pulses during the days. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that animals have the ability to retain learning after a period of non-use, confirming the flexibility in the use of the VF.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
