Virtual Fencing eShepherd for Cattle in Canada

Virtual Fencing eShepherd for Cattle in Canada


Virtual Fencing puts you in control of your cattle, cows and bulls - without the wire or heavy lifting - and all in the palm of your hands.

Improve grazing management that gives you 24/7 precise and flexible control over your herd and pastures.

Save time, fuel, and labour compared to traditional rotational grazing strategies.

What is Gallagher eShepherd Virtual Fencing?

  • Gallagher 's eShepherd is a GPS-enabled virtual fencing system for cattle that uses solar-powered neckbands and a simple app on a desktop or a mobile device to create invisible fences - no moving of physical wire required.

  • You draw digital fence lines on a map, adding in your landmarks, water sources and physical fences to allow for in-time or scheduled moves of the virtual fence paddocks.

  • The neckband collars allow the cattle to graze freely and when they approach a boundary, the collar will emit a sound alert three times and a mild pulse if the boundary is breached.

  • For over 85 years, Gallagher has pioneered forward-thinking solutions that lead the industry and set new standards of innovation and success; reshaping the agritech industry and unlocking new possibilities for tomorrow's world. eShepherd is the next generation of fencing.

How eShepherd Virtual Fencing Works on Your Operation

Each cow or bull wears a rugged, GPS solar-powered collar that is matched to the animal's EID tag for accurate identification.

eShepherd gives you two options for virtual collars: direct to cellular, for quick setup in areas with basic coverage, and base stations for more remote areas where cellular coverage is poor.

You log in on your phone or computer to draw or move virtual fences in minutes. 

Moves can be prescheduled and batched to allow for paddock changes without you being there.

As cattle approach the virtual boundary, they hear an audio cue up to three times; if they continue, they receive a brief corrective pulse. Cattle quickly learn to stay within the virtual paddock, reducing the amount of corrective shocks.

You can see animal position and movement in near real-time, helping you keep an eye on cattle across big, rough, or hard-to-reach country.

Perfect for:

  • Rotational or non-selective grazing

  • Grazing rented or leased land where building fences is cost-prohibitive and impractical

  • Rugged land where building fences is near impossible and expensive

  • Protecting riparian or sensitive areas, such as watercourses, species at risk, or wildfire burn zones.

Is Virtual Fencing Right for Your Operation?

Do you answer Yes to any of these questions?

  • You regularly move temporary fences or wish you could move your cattle more often.

  • You want to rotational graze but do not have the labour or time to do the work yourself.

  • You have rented or leased land that you neither have the funds or the authority to build fences on.

  • You manage large or difficult-to-fence areas (hills, bush, rocks, wetlands).

  • You’re looking for ways to improve pasture utilization and grass recovery.

Then, call or email us to discuss your use of virtual fencing.

eShepherd does not replace legal perimeter fencing, but it can dramatically reduce how robust your containment fence is and how much internal fence you need and how often you move it.

eShepherd Virtual Fencing FAQs

How long does training take for the cows?
 Most cattle learn within days to a few weeks.

Do I need cell service?
GPS and network coverage are required for system performance.

For areas with cell coverage: Direct-to-Cellular Neckbands

These use built-in cellular connectivity in each neckband to talk to the eShepherd cloud platform. They work where there’s at least basic cell signal (even 1–2 bars).

How they work in poor service areas:

Even if cell signal is weak or absent, the LoRa base station option lets neckbands receive boundary updates and send status without each device depending on its own cellular connection, making eShepherd usable in more remote conditions.

Can I move cattle remotely?
 Yes. You can adjust grazing areas from your device without moving physical fences.

Does it work on bulls?

Yes. eShepherd has been tested on bulls and can be used with a longer neck chain designed to fit them properly.

What happens if cattle cross a boundary?
 You’ll receive an alert on your mobile if an animal leaves the set area.

Is it suitable for large or remote pastures?
 Yes. Ideal for large, hard-to-fence, or sensitive areas.

Can it replace traditional fencing?

 In many cases, yes or it can be used alongside existing fencing. We recommend a perimeter fence. 

How do I get started?
Contact us to review your operation and determine the best setup.

Why Work with FenceFast for eShepherd?

  • Official Specialist Partner with the Gallagher Group: With a 26-year business relationship with Gallagher, you can rely on the FenceFast team for professional and enduring support and expertise from a company that’s here for the long haul.

  • Canadian Fencing and Ranching Expertise: With over 60 years of combined fencing experience, we understand the unique challenges that Canadian ranchers face when implementing rotational grazing.  Our team consists of people who have, or are currently raising, cattle.  We know Canadian weather, grazing seasons, and terrain. We understand Canadian cattle production.

  • End‑to‑end support: planning, budgeting, funding options, equipment shipping, training, and ongoing troubleshooting. We are here for you.

  • Funding Guidance: We help you explore relevant livestock innovation or grazing-program funding where available.

  • Integration: We can combine eShepherd with electric fencing, weigh scales, EID, and other tools you already use to integrate virtual fencing into your operation seamlessly.

Ready to inquire about eShepherd for Your Ranch?

Call or Email to book a Free Virtual Fencing Call.

If you’re ready to get more grazing flexibility with less fence, eShepherd virtual fencing can be a powerful solution.