From virtual fences to real-time herd data, ranching is entering a new era—and Andrew Fraser is helping lead the shift.

In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Andrew joins Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore how smart collar technology is transforming the way cattle are managed on pasture. As President of Halter Inc., Andrew shares how a simple idea—a collar for cows—has evolved into a powerful system for controlling grazing, tracking behavior, and unlocking better decision-making for producers.

This conversation goes beyond the technology itself to focus on real-world impact. From reducing labor demands and eliminating the need for extensive fencing to improving pasture utilization and enabling more flexible grazing systems, Andrew explains why virtual fencing is gaining traction across beef operations in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.The episode also dives into the growing role of data in ranching—from tracking animal movement and health to the future potential of measuring feed efficiency at the individual cow level. Along the way, the group discusses how AI is being applied in practical ways, why labor and succession are critical challenges, and how technology can make ranching more sustainable, scalable, and attractive to the next generation.

What You’ll Learn:

• How virtual fencing works and how cows are trained to respond to sound cues
• Why pasture management is the foundation of productivity and profitability
• How smart collars provide real-time visibility into animal location and behavior
• The potential to measure feed intake and efficiency in grazing systems
• How technology can reduce reliance on fencing and lower infrastructure costs
• Why labor savings and staff retention are key drivers of adoption
• How behavioral data can improve animal health monitoring and decision-making
• The role of AI and machine learning in practical, on-farm applications
• Why flexibility in grazing systems can unlock better land and herd performance

Links:

Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.com

Learn more about Halter: www.halterhq.com

Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.com

Learn more about Breedr: www.breedr.coLearn more about Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.com

Learn more about Whole Cottonseed: https://wholecottonseed.com/