Mary-Jane leads a dedicated team at MBFI to advance Manitoba’s beef & forage industry through engaging stakeholders, evaluating on-farm innovation, and extension for sustainability of farmers, the public, and the environment. She deeply values the opportunity to collaborate with producers, researchers, education providers, extension specialists, conservation groups, and all stakeholders in field-testing management practices and growing understanding of improved production in Manitoba. Mary-Jane holds a PhD from Purdue University in soil microbial ecology in agricultural systems, is a Professional Agrologist, and Certified Crop Advisor. Her experience in ecology and field agronomy gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing agriculture today.

Born in Windsor Ontario, Judah Logan’s early childhood was spent on the rural outskirts of Kingston township: where—through neighbors—Judah had regular exposure to dairy and mixed farming—including beekeeping, and maple syrup production. After an unexpected move to Kingston from middle school through high school, he reluctantly lost touch with the day-to-day routines of farming life. As a young adult, Judah studied undergraduate Arts at the University of Western Ontario, Computer Science at U of T, and recently completed the intensive 2 year Communications Engineering Technology diploma program at ACC in Brandon. Judah says it is a pleasure to be working at MBFI where he can revisit his childhood dream with a superlatively qualified staff, 2 great farm locations, and 3 friendly felines to keep him company.

In today’s episode, Mary-Jane and new MBFI staff member, Judah Logan, introduce us to the virtual fence trial that is underway at MBFI, using the Gallagher E-Shephard Virtual Fence Collars. This technology could open many doors for producers and increase the efficiency of rotational grazing practices or grazing in remote areas.

This conversation shares information about the collars themselves, as well as the technology that makes virtual fencing a reality. We discuss the process to put the collars on and train cattle to their use, as well as the pros and potential downsides that MBFI staff have found while using the collars, as well as some considerations producers might want to think about prior to implementing them on their own operations. We also discuss the economics that are being considered in this trial.

To contact Judah, please email: judah.logan@mbfi.ca

Links to more information:

Web Page to visually demonstrate collar application and in-field use: https://www.mbfi.ca/eshepherd

YouTube video link for the eShepherd trial:

eShepherd Collars in Action - Summer 2024 (youtube.com)

Links to Other Virtual Fence Projects:

https://www.nofence.no/en/

https://www.agcanada.com/daily/virtual-fencing-piloted-in-northern-saskatchewan

https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/species/cattle/vence

Gallagher’s eShephard Virtual Fence website:

https://am.gallagher.com/en-CA/new-products/eShepherd

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of...