Making Virtual Fence Cost Effective for Ranchers

Large investments in technology like Vence’s virtual fence becomes easier when neighbors come together and outside partners support the process. Jay and Chyenne Smith were watching the progress of virtual fence from its infancy and finally pulled the trigger in 2022 after the Moose fire threatened the availability of their grazing acres.  

“Forty plus thousand of our best acres didn't burn and the Forest Service was going to tell us to stay home for two to three years,” says Jay. “I thought if there was ever a sign that this is the time to go ahead and take that chance and jump in headfirst, that was it.” 

The Smiths reached out to partners like the University of Idaho, BLM and Forest Service to negotiate plans and funding for the implementation of this technology.  Eventually, they pulled the neighbors in too.  

The Smith family operate J Lazy S Angus Ranch which lies along the Montana – Idaho border. They ranch amongst flat bottoms with irrigation, steep Mountain peaks and the Salmon River. They emphasize the importance of quality genetics as they raise both registered and commercial cattle.  

Jay says, “We are a pretty intricate mix here of old-fashioned tradition and cutting-edge technology.” 

Prior to the fire, they knew the University of Idaho Research Ranch was working with Vence because they are fence-line neighbors. Jay’s initiative to inquire about working together opened the door for area producers to keep using their permits while being a part of a research project.  

“There were five permittees on that grazing allotment,” says Jay. “They are all still currently using the technology today.” 

Sharing base stations between neighbors on both sides of the mountain mitigated the initial cost of implementing Vence. Fellow producers also wanted reassurance that this project would truly protect their ability to graze their permits and allow them to still do the ranch work they love. All of which was accomplished. 

“The first year was just outstanding,” says Chyenne. “I still got to ride whenever I wanted to ride, but I knew where I was riding that day.” 

Knowing where the cows are at all times allows the Smiths to be more intentional about where and when they ride, where to take salt and where to move cows. The time and fuel savings are irreplaceable. Additionally, a lighter workload better fits their current stage of life. 

“Virtual fencing has allowed us to switch to fall calving and maintain the size of our operation, which is the two of us and sometimes two of our children,” says Chyenne. 

Their previous calving season was in January and February because cows would get pushed over the mountain or graze in areas with high wolf populations. Vence keeps their cows on one side and creates opportunities to bring them home sooner and more efficiently in their rough terrain. 

Jay says, “There were times before virtual fence that we would ride three, four or five days in a row and only bring back seven to twelve cows. That’s not very efficient.” 

Jay and Chyenne not their biggest learning curve was placing boundaries in ways that didn’t disrupt the natural movements and trails of the cattle. 

“We actually went in and sent pins as I was riding on trails that I knew that they used to make sure that my fence was far enough off of those pins to not slow down where they wanted to go naturally,” explains Chyenne. 

Utilization of grazing acres has drastically improved for Smiths too. Cattle used to get moved and come back to previously grazed acres or move themselves too soon to other areas of the lease.  

“We're supposed to be on the BLM for two weeks and then go to the Forest Service,” explains Jay. “We were constantly hitting 45 or 50% utilization because we couldn't ever keep 100% of the cattle off of it later in the season.” 

Jay and Chyenne encourage other ranchers to look into Vence, accept the tech support and keep finding ways to improve their operations.  

“If you’re a good cow manager anyway, this just ups the level of your management practices,” says Jay.  

Listen to the full story on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.