Nofence

Barbed wire and wooden posts have been essential for livestock management for centuries. But now, Nofence, the world's first commercial virtual fencing system for grazing animals, is revolutionising how farmers manage and contain their animals, streamlining operations and productivity while enhancing animal welfare.

Developed by engineer and goat farmer Oscar Hovde from Western Norway, this digital solution helps reconnect animals with nature while delivering unmatched flexibility in defining grazing areas. By eliminating the need for physical fences, Nofence allows farmers to set virtual boundaries, create exclusion zones and adjust digital fences, granting animals access to fresh pastures as needed. Ideal for managed and conservation grazing, it's already commercially available in Norway, the UK, Ireland, Spain, and the US, with over 7,000 customers using Nofence worldwide.

"At the core of our firm's ethos is a commitment to improving farmers' well-being, fostering harmony between animals and nature, and minimising environmental impact," says Joachim Kähler, CEO.

Transforming Grazing with GPS Collars

Nofence uses GPS collars and a mobile app to adjust grazing boundaries and track animals remotely in real time. Designed for small to medium-sized farms, these collars communicate with the app via cellular networks, without the need for a base station. Nofence’s easy to use app allows farmers to precisely control grazing practices which allows animals to move freely within the designated area, encouraging natural grazing patterns and behaviours. Nofence offers collars for cattle, sheep and goats. This broad offering positions it as the only virtual fencing solution that caters to a diverse range of livestock.
To ensure the system is effectively implemented on the farm or ranch, Nofence recommends initially training animals by setting up a virtual fence in a pasture with a physical fence. During this phase, the animals gradually interact with the virtual fence, learning to respond to the escalating pitch of an acoustic warning as they approach the boundary. This gives the animals time to recognise and respond to the boundary without experiencing physical discomfort or psychological distress.
Only if an animal ignores the audio cue and crosses the virtual fence does the system administer a corrective pulse as a last resort, delivered at half the intensity of a traditional electric fence. This ensures that animals have the opportunity to learn and adapt to their environment over time, minimising unnecessary stress. Most animals swiftly adapt to the system and rarely receive the electric pulse after the initial training phase— with the acoustic warning versus electric pulse ratio being 96%. Training lasts around five to ten days, depending on factors such as breed and age. Farmers can track animal movements, health, and behaviour through the Nofence app. For instance, if an animal does not move for four hours, the farmer receives a push notification through the app, signalling potential health issues or that the animal may be stuck. Similarly, if an animal crosses the virtual boundary, the app notifies the farmer of the escape and provides the animal’s real-time location, which ensures timely intervention and enhances animal welfare.

Nofence always works to improve its product, enhancing the collars’ battery lifespan, boosting reliability and ensuring continuous monitoring during grazing with data from more than 700 million grazing hours and in close dialogue with farmers. The easy to use app also equips farmers with historical data on grazing patterns and animal movement that allows them to make informed decisions that support the health and well-being of their livestock. OTA updates to the software are frequently implemented to offer new features and improvements to the product.

Each collar has a rechargeable battery that can be charged through a solar panel or power supply. "We are confident that the battery lifetime of our cattle collars, which are supported by solar panel charging, will range from six to twelve months, depending on location and usage, while varying between three to nine months for small ruminants," adds Kähler.

How Virtual Fences Boost Sustainability and Farm Efficiency

Nofence enhances farmers' operational efficiency and quality of life by enabling remote grazing management and boundary adjustments. The app simplifies rotational grazing by allowing farmers to create, adjust, or remove boundaries via their phones, reducing labour demands, optimising pasture use, and enhancing economic benefits. It also contributes to a greener future by promoting soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting carbon sequestration through responsible grazing.

"We take pride in the reliability of our virtual fences, which have achieved an impressive containment rate of 99.3 per cent," adds Kähler. With animal safety at the centre of its operations, Nofence utilises technology to eliminate the risks of entanglement and injury from traditional fences.

Nofence has proven invaluable in habitat management, particularly during events like California's raging wildfires. Stephanie Mathis, a ranch owner in the coastal hills of Santa Barbara County, has showcased the system's effectiveness in managing her goat herd and addressing environmental challenges. By using precision grazing to clear dense vegetation and reduce fire risks, she has improved the health of her land, rehabilitated underutilised areas, and tackled invasive species: “Our forests were at high risk of burning. Now my goats are clearing fire hazards and rehabilitating land we couldn’t use before.”

The Nofence system is built around a business model that empowers farmers by promoting more efficient and sustainable farming practices, enabling them to strengthen and contribute to a resilient food system. Mathis has utilised the Nofence app to monitor and adjust grazing areas, especially in steep and rugged terrains. Mathis envisions expanding the system: “I’d love to integrate Nofence for our cattle. It would allow us to create smaller paddocks and improve grazing efficiency across the ranch; the idea of managing both goats and cattle with virtual fencing is exciting. It opens up new ways to protect the land while improving productivity.”

Providing Farmers with Personalised Support

The Nofence system is backed by a strong customer-centric culture and deep commitment to animal welfare. This dedication is at the core of Nofence, where each customer journey begins with a simple inquiry through the company website’s quick quote page.
The sales team then collaborates with the customer to tailor Nofence’s offering to meet their specific needs and to support their herds effectively. Subsequently, farmers are granted access to the webshop and are provided comprehensive resources like onboarding videos and user manuals to guide them through the initial setup and operation of the system.

The Nofence app further enhances customer support by providing straightforward access for users to receive assistance and optimise their product experience. By analysing the data received from the app, the company provides insights and guidance to customers on how to best address issues, maximise system benefits, and uphold high animal welfare standards.

Toward a Resilient and Greener Future

Nofence’s success is built on the trust and feedback of its growing customer base, a testament to the quality and value of its innovation. To further enhance customer satisfaction, the company has strategically extended its warranty and reduced prices, delivering even greater value to farmers. The new five-year warranty underscores Nofence’s confidence in its system’s durability and performance.

Nofence is actively collaborating with national and local organisations in its diverse markets to promote the benefits of virtual fencing and advocate for financial support to assist farmers with purchases. This commitment to competitive pricing and exceptional value is a direct response to customer feedback, highlighting Nofence's dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the farming community.

As the firm broadens its reach and solidifies its reputation for innovation, reliability, and customer service, it enhances farmers' well-being and economic stability while safeguarding animal welfare. Designed by farmers for farmers, Nofence is not just a new technology—it is a transformative approach that will reshape the farming landscape for generations.