Wildlife Friendly Fencing
Wildlife fencing is essential for protecting Burrowing Owls and other native species while allowing natural movement across landscapes. The best fencing types can balance conservation needs, livestock management, and landowner practicality.
1. Wildlife-Friendly Perimeter Fencing
✅ Best for: Ranch lands, pastures, and conservation areas
✅ Purpose: Allows free movement of small mammals and birds while preventing livestock from disturbing burrowing sites
Features:
- Smooth bottom wire at least 45 cm (18 inches) above the ground to allow badgers, foxes, and small mammals (which create burrows) to pass freely
- Top wire no higher than 107 cm (42 inches) to prevent entanglement for deer and pronghorn
- Spacing between wires wide enough to avoid bird collisions
🛠 Example:
Modified barbed wire fencing with smooth bottom strands is commonly used in Operation Grassland Community (Alberta) and Nature Saskatchewan projects.
Credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
2. Soft Release Cages for released Burrowing Owls: Burrow Protection Fencing
✅ Best for: Temporary nesting site protection from livestock and machinery
✅ Purpose: Prevents trampling of soft release cages and burrows in active pastures
Features:
- Portable electric or mesh fencing around burrow entrances during the breeding season (April–August)
- Low-profile barriers (60 cm / 24 inches max) to avoid blocking owl movement
- Eco-friendly, degradable materials preferred for temporary enclosures
🛠 Example:
Used in Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC projects to protect artificial burrows and soft release cages.
Credit: BOCS BC
3. Predator-Exclusion Fencing
✅ Best for: Nesting sites vulnerable to predators (e.g., skunks, raccoons, feral cats)
✅ Purpose: Provides extra protection for owl chicks without disrupting natural wildlife movement
Features:
- Fine mesh or chicken wire fencing around specific nesting areas
- Partially buried fencing (20–30 cm deep) to prevent digging predators
- Small gaps (5 cm / 2 inches max) to deter larger predators while still allowing Burrowing Owls to pass
- A small stake about (15cm/6inches) from entrance to artificial burrow can prevent larger predators while still allowing Burrowing Owls to pass
🛠 Example:
Used in Manitoba Burrowing Owl Recovery Program for artificial nesting sites.
4. Visibility-Enhanced Fencing (For Owl & Bird Safety)
✅ Best for: Areas with high bird traffic (near grasslands, wetlands, or roads)
✅ Purpose: Reduces collisions and injuries
Features:
- White PVC clips, tape, or reflective markers every 3 meters to increase fence visibility
- Flagging on top wire to prevent entanglement
- Avoid using barbed wire in high-bird-traffic areas
🛠 Example:
Bird-friendly fencing is promoted by Ducks Unlimited Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada for grassland bird conservation.
Choosing the Right Fence for Your Land
- For cattle pastures: Use wildlife-friendly perimeter fencing with smooth bottom wires.
- For crop fields near owl habitats: Consider visibility-enhanced fencing to reduce bird collisions.
- For protected nesting sites: Use temporary burrow protection fencing during breeding seasons.
Virtual Fencing for Ranching: A Modern Solution
Virtual fencing is an innovative technology that uses GPS collars and wireless signals to manage livestock movement without physical barriers. This system benefits ranchers, grassland conservation, and wildlife like Burrowing Owls by reducing land disturbances while maintaining controlled grazing.
How Virtual Fencing Works
- GPS-Enabled Collars are placed on cattle or other livestock.
- Geofencing Technology defines invisible boundaries using satellite signals.
- Audible & Mild Electric Cues (not harmful) train livestock to stay within designated areas.
- Remote Monitoring & Control allows ranchers to adjust boundaries via smartphone or computer.
Benefits of Virtual Fencing for Ranchers & Wildlife
✅ Grassland & Habitat Conservation
- Allows for adaptive grazing without damaging native prairie ecosystems.
- Helps protect Burrowing Owl nesting areas by setting exclusion zones during breeding seasons.
✅ Cost-Effective Ranching
- Eliminates the need for expensive fence installation and maintenance.
- Reduces labor costs by automating livestock management.
✅ Wildlife Movement & Safety
- No physical barriers mean deer, pronghorn, and badgers can move freely.
- Prevents entanglement hazards for birds and other wildlife.
✅ Improved Grazing Efficiency
- Enables precision rotational grazing, improving pasture health.
- Helps prevent overgrazing or soil degradation.
Virtual Fencing Systems Available in Canada
Several companies offer proven virtual fencing solutions for Canadian ranchers:
1. Vence (Acquired by Merck Animal Health)
- Uses solar-powered GPS collars and a cloud-based control system.
- Allows real-time livestock tracking and boundary adjustments.
2. Nofence
- Based in Norway, expanding to North America.
- Uses audio cues instead of electric pulses for training cattle.
3. Gallagher eShepherd
- Developed in Australia, gaining traction in North America.
- Uses machine learning to predict cattle behavior and improve efficiency.
Challenges & Considerations
🚧 Initial Investment Cost: GPS collars and subscriptions can be expensive.
🚧Still need an outer physical perimeter fencing
🔋 Power Supply: Some devices require solar charging or frequent battery changes.
📶 Connectivity Issues: Requires reliable satellite or cellular coverage for best performance.
Is Virtual Fencing Right for Your Ranch?
- Do you manage large, remote pastures where traditional fencing is impractical?
- Do you want to reduce fencing costs while maintaining effective herd control?
- Are you looking for wildlife-friendly grazing solutions to conserve native habitats?
Virtual fencing is an innovative technology that offers ranchers a flexible and wildlife-friendly approach to livestock management. In Canada, several pilot programs and funding opportunities are available to support the adoption of virtual fencing systems.
Pilot Programs in Canada
British Columbia
The British Columbia Cattlemen's Association (BCCA) initiated a pilot program to explore the economic viability of virtual fencing. This initiative aims to develop virtual fencing solutions tailored to the needs of B.C. ranchers.
Saskatchewan
A virtual fencing pilot project was launched in Saskatchewan, utilizing technology from Vence. This project focuses on managing grazing distribution across various pasture types, assessing the effectiveness of virtual fencing in local conditions.
Alberta
The Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP) at Olds College in Alberta is evaluating the effectiveness of virtual fence collars for cattle. This research compares virtual fencing to conventional electric fencing as part of a broader project on rotational grazing and pasture management.
Funding Opportunities
Alberta
The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program supports producers in conserving and enhancing the environmental resiliency of their agricultural landscapes. This program may offer funding applicable to virtual fencing projects.
National
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership delivers grant programs aimed at generating sustainable economic growth in the agricultural and agri-food sector. Producers interested in virtual fencing should explore funding opportunities under this partnership.
Virtual Fence Conservation Fund
The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) has established a Virtual Fence Conservation Fund, offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. This initiative aims to empower ranchers and conservationists to adopt virtual fencing technology, with a focus on projects demonstrating clear conservation benefits for land, water, and wildlife.
By participating in these pilot programs and exploring available funding opportunities, Canadian ranchers can adopt virtual fencing technologies that enhance livestock management while promoting environmental stewardship.