Cattle Virtual Fencing & Drone Precision Ranching Workshop
Dates: March 17 & 18, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM MST
Location: College of the Rockies Creston Campus
Workshop Overview
The development of new Agricultural Ranching Technologies, including virtual fencing collars for cattle, coupled with “state-of-the-art” drones for monitoring cows and the land base they depend on, is truly revolutionary and is rapidly transforming the ranching industry. Rapid advances in virtual fencing systems are now being used to improve livestock management through fence-free animal containment while on range, autonomous mustering or herding and even the implementation of advanced rotational grazing for use in regenerative agriculture efforts. At the same time, the drone-based remote sensing of pastures and using drones for seeding, fertilizing and spraying will revolutionize pasture rejuvenation efforts. When coupled, this agricultural technology provides the ranching community with fresh and innovative ways of managing all the ranching assets that successful cattle operations depend on.
This unprecedented two-day workshop, created by the collaborative effort between the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI) and Thompson River University (TRU) will be delivered to the agricultural communities in the Interior and Kootenays regions of British Columbia. During the hands-on workshops, leading industry professionals and world-class researchers from TRU will provide training on implementing virtual fencing technology, drone flight practice, autonomous mapping, and real-world farm and ranch use cases tailored for all skill levels, including complete beginners.
Join us at the College of the Rockies Creston Campus in March to learn how cutting-edge tools such as drone-based remote sensing, GPS livestock tracking, and wireless virtual fencing are transforming livestock management and rangeland stewardship. With these advancements, ranchers can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability while addressing critical challenges in modern agriculture. Whether you’re a student, rancher, farmer, or other interested community members, this workshop will equip you with practical skills to integrate these innovations into real-world farming and ranching practices.
Event Highlights:
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Who Should Attend?
- Students enrolled in agriculture, environmental science, and engineering programs
- Ranchers, farmers, and key stakeholders in the livestock community
- Members of Indigenous groups
- Industry associations, e.g. BC Cattlemen and BC Forage Association
- Natural resource management professional, e.g. agrologists, foresters, conservation officers
Why Attend?
- Gain hands-on experience with drones, from basic flight skills to advanced mapping techniques.
- Explore the latest advancements in precision ranching technology.
- Network with industry experts, researchers, and fellow participants.
