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Virtual Fence

Cost Calculator

Photo credit: Michael Stauder

Last updated: 08/18/2026

This calculator gives you a quick way to compare costs and savings between physical fencing and virtual fencing. Enter some basic information, and you will see estimates for total costs, per-cow costs, and potential savings in Year 1 and beyond.

The tool is intended to provide general guidance and support decision-making discussions. Actual results may vary depending on herd behavior, site conditions, management strategies, and the specific VF system used.

This calculator is only for cattle operators.

Total costs include both system costs and labor costs of operating the system (1 hour per day) and collaring animals.

Cost Calculator

Set your ranch inputs

Herd size, prices & weight gain
i
i 300
i 0%
Physical fence (interior/cross fencing only)
i
i
i
Virtual fence system
i
i
i 95%
Labor cost
i $19.63
i $31.97 / $66,497
i 40
i 40
▼ See calculated results

Calculated Results

This calculator tool is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The results are estimates based on user-supplied inputs (e.g., herd size, prices, weight gain, fencing type, virtual fence system, and labor costs). Actual costs and savings may vary significantly depending on site conditions, herd behavior, management practices, and technology performance. Users should not rely solely on this tool for making financial, operational, or management decisions.

See your estimated total costsi
keyboard_arrow_down Total costs fencePhysical signal_cellular_altGallagher settings_input_antennaGallagher satellite_altHalter signal_cellular_altNofence settings_input_antennaVence signal_cellular_altMonil
Year 1
Year 2+
Details of your results
keyboard_arrow_downCosts per cow fencePhysical signal_cellular_altGallagher settings_input_antennaGallagher satellite_altHalter signal_cellular_altNofence settings_input_antennaVence signal_cellular_altMonil
Year 1
Year 2+
keyboard_arrow_downSavings fencePhysical signal_cellular_altGallagher settings_input_antennaGallagher satellite_altHalter signal_cellular_altNofence settings_input_antennaVence signal_cellular_altMonil
Labor & fence maintenance
Labor & fence maintenance per cow
keyboard_arrow_downBenefits fencePhysical signal_cellular_altGallagher settings_input_antennaGallagher satellite_altHalter signal_cellular_altNofence settings_input_antennaVence signal_cellular_altMonil
Value of weight gain
keyboard_arrow_down Net costs per cow i fencePhysical signal_cellular_altGallagher settings_input_antennaGallagher satellite_altHalter signal_cellular_altNofence settings_input_antennaVence signal_cellular_altMonil
Year 1
Year 2+
Details of your costs i
keyboard_arrow_downYear 1 costs signal_cellular_altGallagher settings_input_antennaGallagher satellite_altHalter signal_cellular_altNofence settings_input_antennaVence signal_cellular_altMonil
System Collars (up-front)i
Collars (annual)i
Base Stationsi
Other (up-front)i
Labor Collaringi
Learning systemi
Operating systemi
keyboard_arrow_downYear 2+ costs signal_cellular_altGallagher settings_input_antennaGallagher satellite_altHalter signal_cellular_altNofence settings_input_antennaVence signal_cellular_altMonil
System Collars (annual)i
Other (annual)i
Labor Collaringi
Operating systemi
keyboard_arrow_downAvoided costs and savings signal_cellular_altGallagher settings_input_antennaGallagher satellite_altHalter signal_cellular_altNofence settings_input_antennaVence signal_cellular_altMonil
Fencing Interior fencing maintenancei
New fencingi
Labor Rancher time locating animals i
Ranch hand time locating animals i

Download your results

  • Download your estimated costs into a spreadsheet or PDF.

  • This calculator tool is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The results are estimates based on user-supplied inputs (e.g., herd size, prices, weight gain, fencing type, virtual fence system, and labor costs). Actual costs and savings may vary significantly depending on site conditions, herd behavior, management practices, and technology performance. Users should not rely solely on this tool for making financial, operational, or management decisions.