Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Effects of Social Facilitation and Introduction Methods of Cattle on Virtual Fence Adaptation

Pernille Arent Simonsen
* ,
Niels Søborg Husted
,
Magnus Clausen
,
Amalie-Maria Spens
,
Ramus Majland Dyrholm
,
Ida Fabricius Thaysen
ORCID logo ,
Magnus Fjord Aaser
ORCID logo ,
Søren Krabbe Staahltoft
ORCID logo ,
Dan Bruhn
ORCID logo ,
Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup
ORCID logo ,
Christian Sonne
,
Cino Pertoldi
ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 29 March 2024 / Approved: 1 April 2024 / Online: 1 April 2024 (17:15:57 CEST)

How to cite: Simonsen, P.A.; Husted, N.S.; Clausen, M.; Spens, A.; Dyrholm, R.M.; Thaysen, I.F.; Aaser, M.F.; Staahltoft, S.K.; Bruhn, D.; Alstrup, A.K.O.; Sonne, C.; Pertoldi, C. Effects of Social Facilitation and Introduction Methods of Cattle on Virtual Fence Adaptation. Preprints 2024, 2024040073. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202404.0073.v1 Simonsen, P.A.; Husted, N.S.; Clausen, M.; Spens, A.; Dyrholm, R.M.; Thaysen, I.F.; Aaser, M.F.; Staahltoft, S.K.; Bruhn, D.; Alstrup, A.K.O.; Sonne, C.; Pertoldi, C. Effects of Social Facilitation and Introduction Methods of Cattle on Virtual Fence Adaptation. Preprints 2024, 2024040073. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202404.0073.v1

Abstract

The agricultural industry relies on physical fences to manage livestock. However, physical fences present some practical, financial, and ecological problems, that partly may be solved by virtual fencing. However, it is necessary for the livestock to be adapted to virtual fencing. This study aims to identify if adaptation to virtual fence can be improved through social facilitation between experienced cattle and the remaining herd. Moreover, which of the two different learning processes, a gradual or instant introduction to virtual fence is the most effective in associating warnings with impulses. Three pastures containing Angus (Bos taurus) will be used to examine these investigations; A, B and C. All investigations are conducted on the Danish Island of Fanø. Three methods of learning process were used, one gradual and two instant introductions to the virtual fence. The investigations had varying amounts of experienced cattle. Impulses and warnings were recorded during a learning period and the following observation period. To quantify if the cattle adapt to the warnings, impulses per warning are used. There was no evidence of improvement with the presence of experienced cattle for any pastures, indicating no social facilitation. Gradual introduction was found to be more beneficial than instant introduction. More standardized tests are necessary to discover the full effect of experienced cattle.

Keywords

Animals; virtual fencing; Nofence©; Angus cattle; social facilitation

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Behavioral Sciences

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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