New technology involving GPS is being used for cattle by Surrey County Council's (SCC) Countryside Estate team across sites at Chobham, Wisley and Puttenham Common.
By using GPS tracking collars fitted to adult livestock, rather than traditional electric fencing, virtual geographic boundaries can be mapped out by land managers to control the areas that the cattle roam. If a cow enters an area outside of the controlled map, audio signals are emitted from the collar increasing in pitch until a small electrical pulse is released. This warns the cattle that when the pitch becomes higher, they need to change direction of travel.
The SCC Countryside team are able to monitor and track the cattle 24/7, receiving regular alerts and real-time information on where each member of the herd is.
Through the use of these collars, approved by veterinary professionals, this allows the land managers to better target exact conservation grazing areas for ecological enhancements and saves time and money by not building, moving and maintaining traditional fencing.
This technology is now being used across the three sites, after having been successfully trialled. In Chobham, the land conservation using the Belted Galloways is being managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Cllr Marisa Heath, SCC Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust to make smart choices that make big differences to conservation. This technology works brilliantly on our large, open countryside sites, allowing us to successfully graze much wider areas of land.
"Not only does it save money but more importantly it hugely benefits biodiversity. At a time when nature is in global decline it is vital, we grab hold of new technologies like this to safeguard Surrey’s countryside for generations to come.”
