New forecasting and monitoring tools are helping ranchers stay ahead of forage shortages before they hit.

Fencing is a critical tool for enhancing grazing management through managing livestock access and distribution. However, constructing physical fences, both permanent and temporary, can be labor-intensive and costly. The introduction of virtual fencing into North America has many ranchers wondering how it works and whether it fits their operations.

Despite poor winter weather, 53 hardy individuals gathered in Kelliher, Saskatchewan, on Jan. 15, 2026, for a virtual fence field day. Roughly half of the attendees traveled an hour or more to attend, highlighting the strong interest in the emerging technology across the Prairies.

It was late afternoon, and the thin layer of frail gray clouds that had made their first appearance that morning before sunrise still hung low in the sky. I knew I had barely an hour of daylight left, and I also knew that there was no way I’d finish my fence repair project before dusk overtook me.

Lone Star Ranch took the plunge with virtual fencing to better utilize pasture and eliminate fencing challenges in tough terrain.

Halter, a technology company increasing productivity on U.S. cattle ranches with its virtual fencing and animal management system, has raised $100 million in a Series D fundraising round, valuing the company at $1 billion.

Turns out, keeping cows inside a questionable fence is easier than keeping grammatical errors out of daily conversations.