By Andi Anderson
Iowa livestock producers are increasingly exploring new technologies to improve efficiency and profitability. One example is wearable technology for cattle, which allows producers to manage livestock using virtual fencing and real-time data. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is helping farmers learn how to use these tools through practical, hands-on education.
The Iowa Beef Center recently demonstrated several precision beef technologies at a fall 2025 field day hosted in partnership with South Dakota State University Beef Extension. The event focused on showing producers how technology-loaded collars can help manage cattle movement and better use forage resources.
“This field day was really a joint effort to bring some of the resources to the producer out into the field,” said Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, an ISU Extension and Outreach beef field specialist.
During the event, participants learned how virtual fencing makes it possible to create and adjust grazing areas remotely. Producers can rotate cattle and manage paddocks without being physically present in the pasture.
“We have the flexibility to change those paddocks, to rotate those cows, at a time when maybe we’re not physically in the pasture. Maybe it’s in the evening while we’re sitting on the couch, or maybe it’s at our day job, sitting at our desk over our noon lunch hour,” Lundy-Woolfolk said.
Field day host Matt Vermeersch shared how wearable collars have improved his operation. Grazing cattle on cover crops often requires frequent fencing adjustments, which can be time consuming.
“We have all these different seedings, different times we’re planting them, different times we’re grazing them. In the past we’d have to have fencing set up between them to keep the cows out of the fresh planting and keep them where they belong. Well now, I don’t have to do that,” he said. “I can use the virtual fencing, keep the cows where I want them to stay and not have to worry about them getting out and going to the place where I don’t want them.”
The collars also collect continuous data, giving producers deeper insight into herd behavior.
“You truly know what’s going on,” Vermeersch said. “We use that data to make the right decisions at the right time.”
A follow-up survey showed participants increased their understanding of virtual fencing, wearable sensors, data systems, and cybersecurity. Many expressed interest in learning more about data use and drone technology. A second field day is planned for spring 2026 to continue this learning.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Beef Cattle