“The main point is training your stock. Then you can graze and map any site accordingly,”
- Melissa Jeuken, goat farmer in North DublinNavigating urban grazing challenges with Nofence
Close to the bustling centre of Dublin city, Melissa grazes her flock of old Irish goats. Managing her flock for conservation grazing of firebreaks and heathland habitat, Melissa’s adoption of Nofence’s virtual fencing has been transformative to her approach to grazing, ensuring flexibility, safety, and environmental sustainability.
Overcoming challenges with innovation
Melissa is contracted by the local authority to graze public land for firebreaks. Maintaining public access to the land, while managing her herd and their grazing responsibilities initially posed a challenge. “The one request from the public was that there were no fences, no gates to open and close, no areas cordoned off,” Melissa explains. This necessity led her to Nofence, transforming the management of her grazing sites.
“The main point is training your stock. Then you can graze and map any site accordingly,”Melissa notes. The ability to adjust grazing areas in real-time to prevent soil damage, manage erosion, and adapt to seasonal changes has been invaluable. The GPS tracking feature has also been crucial for monitoring herd safety and grazing behaviour, enhancing animal welfare by indicating if the animals are unsettled.
Nofence’s technology has allowed Melissa to manage her goats in a way that eliminates the need for physical fencing whereby keeping the area open for the public and having a net benefit for wildlife while maintaining control and ensuring safety. “It's very versatile. You can adjust it to the seasons and what's going on that week, that day,” she says. This flexibility is especially beneficial in the narrow strips of land used for firebreaks and conservation.
Exclusion zones provided by Nofence have been a significant benefit, protecting plants and flowers from being grazed. “If there are delicate plants or species, that's been really beneficial to protect trees or shrubs or flowers,” Melissa shares.
beneficial to protect trees or shrubs or flowers,” Melissa shares.
The possibility of Nofence for Irish farmers
“There are a lot of farmers in Ireland for whom this technology would be useful, especially in mountainous areas or areas with no fences,”
Melissa emphasises. She believes that Nofence can rejuvenate traditional farming practices, allowing farmers to continue managing their land and livestock sustainably and efficiently.
Melissa’s story serves as an inspiration for other farmers seeking solutions to livestock management in areas with specific demands and challenges enhancing their practices while staying true to their heritage and the natural environment.