The science behind Animal-Friendly & Sustainable Farming with Collie
Modern farming faces enormous challenges: ensuring animal welfare, reducing emissions, and protecting biodiversity - all while maintaining a profitable farm. Below you will find research-backed insights into how Collie addresses these challenges using virtual fencing and virtual herding technology.
Animal Welfare
Collie’s technology not only minimizes stress but also enhances the overall health and well-being of cows.
Stress-Free Herding
Cows are guided using sound and vibration cues, eliminating the stress associated with traditional herding methods.
Verdon, M., Langworthy, A., & Rawnsley, R. (2021). Virtual fencing technology to intensively graze lactating dairy cattle II: Effects on cow welfare and behavior.
MDPI (2022) The effect of virtual fencing on cattle behavior and welfare.
Healthier Cows
Grazing outdoors is natural for cows and improves overall health by lowering the risk of common issues found in housed systems:
- Reduced lameness and hoof pathologies.
- Fewer cases of mastitis and uterine diseases.
- Improved immune response due to a cleaner, natural environment.
- Fewer aggressive interactions due to increased space and opportunities for natural behaviors like grazing and lying.
Arnott, G., Ferris, C. P., & O’Connell, N. E. (2017). Pasture access affects health and welfare of dairy cows: A review. Animal, 11(5), 896-909.
Mother-Calf Bond
Collie enables farmers to allow calves to remain with their mothers longer, fostering natural bonding and reducing stress for both mother and calf.
Adaptation and Learning Curve
Cows quickly adapt to virtual fencing, learning to avoid exclusion zones in as little as 3 days.
Verdon, M., & Rawnsley, R. (2020). The effects of dairy heifer age at training on rate of learning and retention of learning in a virtual fencing feed attractant trial.
Reduced Nitrogen Emissions
Outdoor grazing allows manure to disperse naturally across fields, lowering nitrogen emissions by up to 49% on average farms. This reduction is approximately equivalent to removing 1.4 million cars from the roads each year.
Holshof, G., van den Pol-van Dasselaar, A., & De Haan, M. H. A. (2020). Reducing ammonia emissions from dairy farming: A farm-based approach with grazing.NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 92, 100329.
Climate Impact
Cutting Emissions
Collie enables cows to graze outdoors more frequently, significantly reducing nitrogen and carbon emissions—a critical step in mitigating climate change.
Reduced Nitrogen Emissions
Outdoor grazing allows manure to disperse naturally across fields, lowering nitrogen emissions by up to 49% on average farms. This reduction is approximately equivalent to removing 1.4 million cars from the roads each year.
Holshof, G., van den Pol-van Dasselaar, A., & De Haan, M. H. A. (2020). Reducing ammonia emissions from dairy farming: A farm-based approach with grazing.NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 92, 100329.
Lower Carbon Emissions
Outdoor grazing reduces the reliance on synthetic fertilizers, heavy machinery, and feed transport. By minimizing fossil fuel use for machinery, Collie significantly cuts carbon dioxide emissions.
Teague, W. R., Apfelbaum, S., Lal, R., Kreuter, U. P., Rowntree, J., Davies, C. A., Conser, R., Wilson, J., Wang, T., Wang, F., & Byck, P. (2016). The role of ruminants in reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint in North America.Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 71(2), 156-164.
Increased Biodiversity
Collie assists farmers in safeguarding biodiversity and preserving sensitive ecosystems through:
Wildlife Protection
Farmers can use Collie’s app to mark and avoid ecologically sensitive areas, such as bird nests and waterways thereby minimizing disturbances to wildlife habitats.
Rotational Grazing
By incentivizing rotational grazing, Collie promotes even pasture usage, which supports diverse ecosystems of plants, insects, and wildlife. This practice enhances soil health and biodiversity.
Mosier, S., Apfelbaum, S., Byck, P., Teague, W. R., Thompson, R., & Cotrufo, M. F. (2021). Adaptive multi-paddock grazing enhances soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and stabilization.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, 534187.
Soil Health
Implementing regenerative grazing practices with Collie returns nutrients and carbon to the soil, improving its structure and moisture retention, which benefits overall ecosystem function.
Mosier, S., Apfelbaum, S., Byck, P., Teague, W. R., Thompson, R., & Cotrufo, M. F. (2021). Adaptive multi-paddock grazing enhances soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and stabilization.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, 534187.