Forget everything you’ve learned about fencing in a lifetime of grazing cattle. Think instead about how you could manage cattle differently with real-time and historical data about livestock behavior and location. 

Starting with an open mind is important because virtual fencing allows you to do things you couldn’t do before. For example, with virtual fencing, you have the ability to create a boundary, erase it and try something different in a matter of minutes. You’ll have the opportunity to try new strategies in grazing management and livestock management that you might not have tried before or even realized were a choice.

Here are three things you could do with the right virtual fencing system – in addition to containing cattle within the boundaries you set. 

1. Repurpose time from the task of moving cattle

Planning time to move cattle is a habit producers have developed over generations. Virtual fencing allows you to repurpose time from the task of moving cattle. Instead of planning for a set amount of time to ride out to a pasture, open the gate, move the cattle, shut the gate and drive back to the office, you can move cattle without having to move yourself. Using an app, simply create a new virtual boundary and allow the cattle to naturally move themselves. You are not constrained by the time it takes.

2. Work with purpose

Information about livestock behavior can help you prioritize your most valuable tasks. This information can come in the form of alerts to changes in animal behavior, as well as real-time GPS location data about every animal wearing a collar.

“You can work with intent when you are well informed,” says Nofence community and partnerships manager Meghan Filbert. “You can put your time into complex or productive tasks rather than driving around searching for cattle.”  

3. Use data to improve grazing management

Virtual fencing allows you to make decisions based on forage quality rather than how much time you have available. For example, instead of moving cattle when you have the time to pull physical fences, you can let cattle move themselves to continually access the highest-quality forage. You also can exclude cattle from areas to allow forage to rest and regrow or to protect sensitive habitats. 

“Using historical cattle behavior data such as HerdReplay, you can work proactively to plan out future grazing strategies rather than responding once a problem has started,” Filbert said. “For example, if an area is overgrazed, it could take three to five years for that land to rebound and recuperate. Using data collected from the virtual fencing system allows you to plan months and years in advance to make sure you’re properly managing your land, as well as keeping your livestock in healthy shape with quality forage.”

In addition to containing cattle, virtual fencing helps you save time, prioritize tasks and improve grazing management. Keep an open mind and consider the benefits beyond containment to select the right system for your business. 

Be ready for a mindset shift that eliminates the need to physically go out and move cattle. Consider what you would do if the cattle could move themselves, and you kept your energy and attention on work that moved your business forward.

See virtual fencing in action on other properties and find details about the Nofence system at nofence.com.

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At Haynes Cattle Company, we’re all about RESULTS and we use that catchphrase A LOT! We think you, as buyers of our bulls, deserve RESULTS aswell.

Here’s a few things to consider when reviewing the sale book for our 18th Annual “Working Bull” Angus Sale:

1. See how this offering compares to all other non-parent bulls of the breed in 14 economically important traits and $Values on page 6 of the sale book. That includes genomic enhanced EPDs, so expect “better RESULTS in selection” because of the higher accuracy EPDs. See page 5.
2. The bulls are not developed in a feedlot setting, but rather on 160 acres of native range. Our mission for them is to RESULT in range bulls that hold up and grow on out satisfactorily. The bulls are the RESULTS from a large herd of unpampered cows. See our thoughts on $EN and feed as an investment on page 8.
3. The calves are weighed at birth on a digital scale, and while some of the birth weights may seem larger than you see other places, the percentage of assisted births is very small, and almost zero, on the mature cow herd. A lot of consideration goes into our calving ease recommendations. See page 15.
4. Thanks for considering our Angus seedstock, which are selected, bred and developed to produce customer satisfaction, our #1 priority!

BECAUSE YOUR GOOD RESULTS MATTER TO US!

Sincerely,

Gale L. HaynesHaynes Cattle Co.

18th Annual “Working Bull” Angus SaleTuesday, Feb. 24 • Ogallala Livestock AuctionSelling 130 Bulls

Join us in person or watch the sale and bid live online at DVAuction.com or Bid.SuperiorLivestock.com

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Insights from Eric Yates, National Sales Director at Nofence

For generations, livestock producers have relied on physical fencing as the backbone of grazing management. Barbed wire, cross-fencing, and manual fixing have long been considered necessary tools despite rising costs, labor demands, and the limitations they place on flexibility. 

Today, virtual fencing is offering producers a new way forward.

According to Eric Yates, U.S. National Sales Director at Nofence, virtual fencing is not simply a new piece of technology; it’s a shift in how producers think about managing livestock, land, and time.

What Is Virtual Fencing?

Virtual fencing allows producers to manage livestock without installing physical fences in the pasture. Using GPS-enabled collars and a mobile app, producers draw digital boundaries that cattle learn to respect through audio cues and, when necessary, mild pulses.

As animals approach a virtual boundary, the collar emits an audio signal that increases in pitch the closer they move toward the boundary. Over time, cattle learn to respond to the sound alone. The system provides real-time GPS tracking, alerts, and the ability to adjust boundaries instantly no matter the terrain.

One key differentiator of the Nofence system is that it operates entirely on cellular connectivity, eliminating the need for base stations or fixed infrastructure that takes time to plan for and install. As long as there is cell coverage, producers can move boundaries, create exclusion zones, and manage grazing from anywhere.

Why Traditional Fencing Falls Short

While traditional fencing remains important for property boundaries, it presents challenges for modern grazing systems. Costs for materials and labor have increased significantly, and installing fence across rocky ground, waterways, wooded areas, or flood-prone land is often impractical.

More importantly, physical fences are static. Once installed, they limit how producers can adapt grazing strategies to changing conditions such as forage availability, weather, or long-term land health goals.

Virtual fencing removes those constraints. Boundaries can be adjusted in minutes, allowing producers to respond dynamically rather than reactively.

Built by Farmers, for Farmers

Nofence was founded by a livestock producer who experienced these challenges firsthand. That background continues to shape the platform’s design to prioritze simplicity, animal welfare, and real-world usability.

For Yates, who grew up in a large-animal veterinary environment and manages cattle himself, this perspective is critical. The system is designed to fit into the realities of daily ranch life, where time is limited and decisions must be practical.

Real-World Benefits on the Ground

Producers using virtual fencing report significant time savings, particularly during gathering and grazing transitions. Knowing the real-time location of every animal reduces missed cattle and unnecessary travel. Some producers have been able to utilize land previously considered unusable due to terrain or fencing challenges.

Virtual fencing also supports long-term grazing planning. Producers can rest pastures, control grazing intensity, protect sensitive areas like riparian zones, and extend grazing seasons powered by collars and the mobile app. 

Explore how Nofence is powering herds across the US at https://nofence.com/community/user-stories. 

Peace of Mind and a New Mindset

Beyond efficiency, one of the most consistent benefits producers report is peace of mind. Real-time monitoring, escape alerts, and anomaly detection allow producers to stay connected to their herds 24/7—even when away from the operation.

Looking ahead, Yates believes virtual fencing will become a mainstream tool, much like tractors or handling facilities. More than that, it will continue to change how producers think about grazing—shifting from fixed systems to flexible, adaptive management.

Virtual fencing isn’t about replacing good stockmanship. It’s about enhancing it—giving producers better tools to manage livestock, land, and time in a way that supports both profitability and sustainability.

To learn more about virtual fencing and the Nofence system, visit nofence.com.

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Halter is the global leader in virtual fencing, trusted by ranchers across the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. Halter’s ergonomic collars and app allow ranchers to contain, monitor, and move their herds from anywhere. More than just fencing, Halter gives ranchers the tools to lift productivity and improve efficiency while running more profitable and efficient operations. 

What can you do with Halter? 

Graze more of your land 

With virtual fencing, you can use more of your pasture without the cost of permanent fence. Halter lets you build and adjust as many fences as you need, right from your phone. 

• Increase pasture utilization without new fence 
• Rotate pastures as often as you want 
• Run more cattle on the same land 

Easily Move and Monitor Cattle 

Move cattle calmly from your phone, without posts, wire, or extra labor. Halter gives you flexibility to shift herds wherever you need, whenever you need. 

• Move cattle with less stress on both the herd and your crew 
• Always know where your cattle are with 24/7 location tracking 
• Change your grazing plan with a few taps on your phone 

How does Halter work? 

Halter uses a system that enhances good stockmanship, guiding cattle with sound and vibration. Predictable cues keep cows calm and make the system simple and reliable for ranchers. 

• Sound is the primary directional cue. When a cow crosses the virtual boundary, sound comes out of the left side of the collar to guide right, and the right side to guide left to bring them back into the fenced area. Sound increases in frequency (similar to a car backing up) the longer the cow ignores the cue. If the sound cues are ignored, a low energy electric pulse is used to get the cow’s attention. 
• Vibration cues let cows know it’s time to shift. When a new virtual break is set next to their current one, the collar vibrates when the cow is facing the right direction. It’s a gentle nudge that says, “fresh feed ahead.” There’s no pulse with this cue, so cows can move at their own pace. 

What are the operational and financial benefits Halter ranchers see? 

• Fence without cost and time constraints: build less fence and spend less on materials and upkeep 
• Increased stocking rates: With improved pasture management, you can grow better grass and use every acre to run more stock. 
• Increased weaning weights: Make sure calves get the best feed first by creep grazing ahead of the herd. 
• Reduced manual labor: simplifies labor needs and lowers staffing pressure 
• GPS-enabled visibility: real-time herd location, individual animal tracking, and peace of mind on leased or remote land 
• Rotational grazing: optimize pasture growth and utilization with precise grazing that supports healthier land, productive cattle, and year-round flexibility 
• Regenerative grazing: support soil health, pasture productivity, and biodiversity while protecting waterways and riparian zones 
• Wildlife coexistence: allow natural migration routes and open landscapes with fewer physical fences 
• Generational opportunity: attract and engage the next generation of ranchers 
• Greater flexibility: manage cattle on your schedule and reclaim valuable time 

To learn more, visit HalterHQ.com 

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River Creek Farms Inc. is a family-owned seedstock cattle operation in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills. Established in 1890, the farm has deep agricultural roots spanning multiple generations and a reputation for producing high-quality SimAngus genetics built to work in real-world conditions.

The registered cow herd was founded in 1970 by Joe Mertz and utilizes some of the first Simmental genetics imported into the U.S. Soon after, River Creek Farms became an early member of the American Simmental Association (ASA). Today, the operation is managed by Joe and his son, Abram.

The current cow herd consists of 800 cow-calf pairs, including 500 registered Simmental and SimAngus cows and 300 commercial recipients dedicated to the embryo transfer (ET) program. Crossbreeding is a key focus to enhance hybrid vigor while complementing the predominantly Angus-based cow herds of their customers. Advanced reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination (AI) and ET, play a crucial role in accelerating genetic progress, with hundreds of embryos transferred annually. Each year, River Creek Farms markets 200 Simmental and SimAngus bulls, with most selling at the annual spring bull sale the second Wednesday in February.

“A strong desire for progress drives the Mertzes to raise the bar on quality year after year,” says Matt Teagarden, Kansas Livestock Association chief executive officer. “Following their annual bull sale, the family closely analyzes every data point from each lot to determine which traits their customers place the highest value on. As customer priorities shift over time, River Creek Farms adapts its program to meet demand. Their tremendous record keeping, and organizational skills have been paramount to maintain the volume of data they’ve compiled over the years.”

Beyond the cow herd, the Mertz family farms 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans and select cover crops to support the seedstock operation’s sustainability. Precision ag technology is leveraged to maximize efficiency across both farming and cattle operations. Additionally, Abram and Dani Mertz own and operate LivestockDirect, a seedstock marketing business that helps more than 400 seedstock producers market their bull sales annually.

The award is presented by BIF and sponsored by Drovers.

Approximately 400 beef producers, academia and industry representatives attended the organization’s 57th Annual Research Symposium and Convention in Amarillo, Texas. BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation.

For more information about this year’s symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of meeting and tours, visit BIFSymposium.com.

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) is an organization dedicated to coordinating all segments of the beef industry — from researchers and producers to retailers — in an effort to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production. The organization was initiated more than 50 years ago to encourage the use of objective measurements to evaluate beef cattle. Continuing the tradition, BIF is now the clearinghouse for developing standardized programs and methodologies for recording of performance data for all traits, from birth weights to carcass traits. Its three-sided logo symbolizes the link between industry, extension and research.

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DENVER – The Red Angus Association of America has officially rebranded its Feeder Calf Certification Program as Angus Access. More than just a fresh look, Angus Access reflects a bold evolution of the beef industry’s first genetic, age and source verification program – built to USDA-approved standards and trusted by Red Angus producers for more than 30 years.

Red Angus cattle undeniably produce high-quality Angus beef, which remains one of the most sought-after beef products among consumers. The new Angus Access name accurately reflects this identity, while supporting broader industry efforts to secure recognition of Red Angus cattle within Angus-branded beef programs.

“This program has always been about creating opportunity for commercial cattlemen. Angus Access builds on that legacy, giving Red Angus producers a clear path to premium markets and rewarding those who invest in quality and accountability,” said Kyley DeVoe, RAAA president.

The rebrand is more than cosmetic – it’s a deliberate move to position Red Angus producers for success in the evolving landscape of beef production and retail. In a marketplace that is increasingly adopting private labels and case-ready beef solutions, Angus Access equips Red Angus producers to meet that demand by offering the traceability, verification and data integrity desired today.

This evolution builds on a powerful history. Launched in 1995, the Feeder Calf Certification Program was developed in response to market disadvantages Red Angus calves faced compared to black-hided counterparts. FCCP was built with the goal of providing Red Angus-sired calves greater access to market premiums. Through a low-cost, data-driven verification model, the program revolutionized value-based marketing for Red Angus genetics.

What began as an ambitious vision quickly took root across the country. With the program’s signature yellow tags and USDA-backed verification, FCCP-tagged calves quickly gained industry recognition for feedlot performance, carcass consistency and quality. By focusing on the profitability of commercial cattle producers, FCCP built a lasting connection between Red Angus genetics and market success. Today, more than 3.5 million calves have been enrolled through FCCP and its counterpart, Allied Access, launched in 2011 to extend source and age verification to crossbred calves. These programs have proven effective across diverse markets, earning the trust of buyers and the loyalty of producers nationwide.

RAAA is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for current FCCP customers. Previously purchased dangle or combo tags are valid through July 1, 2027; however, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, 840 EID tags will become the only program-compliant tags issued for both Angus Access and Allied Access. This shift to EID technology is designed to improve traceability, reduce tag loss and meet the evolving requirements of domestic and export markets. For producers who value visual identification, optional Angus Access and Allied Access logo tags will be available to purchase alongside the EID.

EID technology enables automated reading and data collection throughout the production chain, minimizing the need for manual visual reads at the backgrounder, feedlot and processor. The low-profile design decreases the risk of accidental removal and improves tag retention. EID technology also supports the capture of detailed animal-level data, such as birthweights, health protocols and genetic inputs, resulting in operational gains and downstream marketing advantages.

The level of transparency enabled by EID technology is increasingly expected in vertically aligned beef supply chains. Programs that deliver verified, transparent production practices not only help meet the requirements of processors like Sustainable Beef, but also improve consumer trust. Studies show that programs backed by transparent production practices can increase consumer favorability by more than 80%, boosting brand loyalty and repeat purchases.

“Angus Access makes it easy for producers to voluntarily enroll calves in a program that delivers verified genetics, age and source, while unlocking opportunities for additional value-added certifications,” said Jeananne Drouhard, RAAA value-added department team lead. “Enrollment is quick and with the tag as the only cost, the return on investment is strong.”

Ultimately, the Angus Access rebrand reflects RAAA’s commitment to position Red Angus producers at the forefront of a more transparent, data-informed and retail-connected beef industry. As scientific identification and verified production practices become the industry standard, Angus Access ensures that Red Angus cattle – and their producers – are ready to lead.

To enroll in RAAA’s value-added programs, contact tags@redangus.org or call 940-477-4593. For more information on Red Angus and upcoming RAAA events, visit www.RedAngus.org.

The Red Angus Association of America serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle. RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing innovative technologies and scientifically sound principles that quantify economically important traits to beef producers across all segments of the industry. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.

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