Northeast Iowa RC&D to Host NoFence Virtual Fencing Field Day Near Fort Atkinson

From the big stories to the little moments, your support helps us cover it all. FORT ATKINSON, Iowa — Northeast Iowa RC&D will host a field day Friday, Aug. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Ross Kurash Farm, 3173 140th St., Fort Atkinson, highlighting how virtual fencing technology can help farmers integrate livestock grazing into cover crop systems. The field day will feature NoFence virtual fencing technology, a GPS-based system that allows producers to manage livestock movement without traditional physical fencing. Using GPS-enabled collars and a mobile app, farmers can establish and adjust grazing boundaries while moving livestock across fields and cover crops. Attendees will have the opportunity to see NoFence collars in use with local producer Ross Kurash and learn how he is integrating the technology. "Integrating livestock into cover crops can provide a number of benefits, but fencing and livestock management can be significant barriers for row crop producers," said Ross Evelsizer, natural resources projects director with Northeast Iowa RC&D. "Virtual fencing gives producers another tool for managing those challenges and could make grazing cover crops practical on fields where permanent or temporary fencing is difficult." The field day will include a pasture walk, technology demonstration, presentations from Northeast Iowa RC&D, NoFence and Kurash, and time for questions and discussion. Participants will be able to learn about the technology and discuss the opportunities and challenges of using virtual fencing on working farms. The field day is open to farmers, landowners, agricultural professionals and others interested in grazing, cover crops, soil health or agricultural technology. For more information, contact Northeast Iowa RC&D at 563-864-7112 or email ross@northeastiowarcd.org. Start your day with what's happening locally. Sign up for our free newsletter.