Animal welfare is concerned about GPS collars: are cow pastures now also becoming digital?

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Zzzzzzzzz. Suddenly a mini electric shock goes through the first grader. It is the ultimate test of courage. Who dares to touch the loaded gate in the cow pasture? This test of courage could soon be a thing of the past. Because the Hag is also going digital.

For this purpose, cows are given a GPS collar and the pasture boundaries are marked on an app. When the cow approaches the border, a warning is first sounded with a rising tone. If the animal continues, it will receive a mild electric shock. This is repeated up to three times. If the cow still ignores the signals, the farmer is alerted via his mobile phone and can locate the runaway.

Skeptical about animal welfare

Virtual fencing systems for cattle, sheep and goats can already be purchased. But until now they were not allowed to be used due to animal welfare concerns. The federal agricultural researchers (Agroscope) have now found out: it is not that bad. A “negative long-term impact on animal welfare” could not be established. The electric shocks are considerably weaker than with conventional electric fence, writes Agroscope. The stress for the animals is also comparable to the conventional model.

People are skeptical about Swiss animal protection. The method does not appear to be fully developed yet. “The animals repeatedly show signs of discomfort due to the signals,” said Samuel Furrer and Alice Raselli of the Swiss Animal Protection Society. An optical band is easier for the animals to recognize and avoid, and visible fences would also protect against intrusion by people or dogs.

Agroscope, on the other hand, writes that, just like with classic fences, information boards could be used to indicate the digital pasture.

Advantages on the Alp

Virtual fences bring advantages for farmers where fences are difficult to place in the terrain, for example on the alpine pasture, writes Sandra Helfenstein, media spokesperson for the farmers’ association. They can be useful if pasture boundaries are moved regularly.

The Federal Veterinary Office (BLV) will soon decide whether the digital fences can actually be used. Just two years ago it was on the side of animal rights activists, as the ‘Swiss farmer’ writes. Now the office is still inconspicuous. The report is part of a more extensive investigation, which means that a final assessment is not yet possible. Until this is available, first graders can continue to enjoy the test of their mettle. Whether they should do so is another question.

Source:Blick