The Heartland Virtual Fence Project provides support for cattle producers in Missouri and Nebraska to implement virtual fencing technology and grazing management practices to protect vulnerable aspects of a landscape.
Over the course of three years, our team will collaborate with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and 200 cattle producers across both states to support regenerative grazing management. Support for these producers will include $100 per virtual fence collar as well as additional financial support, technical assistance and educational activities such as webinars, workshops, and field days.
Enrollment for this program will begin summer 2026. If you think that this program can help your farm or ranch, let us know by filling out this form. You’ll receive enrollment information from our team.
Interested in learning more…
Questions and interest can be sent to heartland@missouri.edu. Our team is happy to help you in any way they can.
Coming soon… We are hosting a Grazing Management Planning webinar to walk you through the basics of our grazing management plans and how to tailor them to your operation. Keep an eye on our social media or monthly newsletter for more information.
You’re Invited to Join Our Virtual Fence Symposium!
Join us at Bradford Research Farm on June 25
Participants will be able to hear from a producer panel with experience using virtual fence for their own herds and learn about cost-share opportunities. Virtual fence companies will also be in attendance to answer questions about cost, troubleshooting, and more! Lunch will be provided to registrants.
Registration information coming soon.
If you need accessibility accommodations or would like more information, please contact heartland@missouri.edu.
Want to learn more?
Virtual Fence 101
Director Rob Myers and Virtual Fence Grazing Program Manager Kaitlyn Dozler created a guide that breaks down the basics of the technology and showcases how virtual fencing technology can help you achieve your grazing management goals.
Virtual Fence Foundations
We partnered with MU Extension and Missouri Fertilizer Control Board to create a five-part webinar series about the basics of virtual fence. Hosts Kaitlyn Dozler and Shelby Jenkins explore topics ranging from how long it takes for livestock to adjust to the virtual fence system to using virtual fencing for rotational grazing.
Project Announcement
We’re honored to be part of the first recipients of funding from NFWF in the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative. To learn more about this program, other recipients and funders, check out this announcement from Show Me Mizzou.
From Our Partners…
For this project, we’re collaborating with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to reach beef producers in Nebraska. The Virtual Fencing Resource Hub is a great place to look at this team’s work so far and look at practical ways to use virtual fencing for grazing management.
Funding for this project comes from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) at $3.7 million through the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative (GRACI), supported by funding from McDonald’s USA, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and several key McDonald’s USA beef and beverage suppliers.