“If you want to fence a commonage, with Nofence you can put the stock wherever you want and herd them wherever you want.”
- James Breslin, cattle farmer InishowenUnlocking upland grazing possibilities on commonage ground
On the rugged uplands of the Inishowen Peninsula in Ireland, a forward thinking cattle farmer, James Breslin as part of the Inishowen Uplands European Innovation Partnership, has turned to Nofence’s virtual fencing to expand his grazing practices.
Effective grazing management and fire prevention
James Breslin, operating on a commonage with multiple shareholders, found traditional fencing impractical. “If you want to fence a commonage, you have to get agreement from everyone, whereas with Nofence, you can put the collars on and put the stock wherever you want, and herd them wherever you want,” James explains.
The Nofence collars allowed him to manage his cattle efficiently, reducing fire risk and ensuring the safety of the herd. “The fire risk was very high before I got the cattle confined. The Nofence technology has been crucial in managing this risk by allowing us to control grazing patterns effectively. By preventing overgrowth of woody heather and millennia-type grasses, which are highly flammable, we have significantly reduced the potential for wildfires. The only time we could manage the fire risk was when we got the collars,” James confirmed.
Reduced time consumption and peace of mind with remote control
“Nofence’s GPS tracking feature has been instrumental for the farmers in the project as it gives that bit of freedom to the farmer and peace of mind that he knows where the animals are and if their activity levels are high enough,” says John, the former project manager for the Inishowen Uplands Project, a European Innovation Partnership (EIP). This capability has not only enhanced their ability to manage their cattle effectively but also ensured that the animals are safe and well-cared for.
“Nofence has been instrumental for the farmers as it gives that bit of freedom and peace of mind knowing where the animals are.”
- John, former project leader for Inishhowen Uplands Project
Enhancing biodiversity and environmental management
The implementation of Nofence has shown promising ecological benefits. John highlights the positive impact on under-grazed areas. “We have seen improvements on the lakes here where areas have started to be broken up, reduction of millennia grasses, the breaking up and rejuvenation of the heathers,” he notes. These changes contribute to biodiversity by allowing more light to reach the ground, fostering diverse plant species and better habitats for birdlife.