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Calcimator

Virtual Fencing Calculator

Compare the annualized cost of GPS collar-based virtual fencing vs traditional physical fencing for rotational grazing paddocks.

Inputs

$
$
$
$

Results

Annual savings (virtual vs physical)

-$157.00

Savings percentage-0.9%
Physical fence (annualized)$16,843.00
Virtual fence (annualized)$17,000.00
Physical fence upfront cost$214,896.00
Virtual collar upfront cost$15,000.00
Virtual cost per acre/yr$26.56
Physical cost per acre/yr$26.32
Flexibility IndexHigh — virtual fencing can adjust paddocks daily
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Total pasture (acres), Number of paddocks, and Herd size (head).
  2. Set Virtual collar cost ($), Monthly fee per collar ($), and Collar lifespan (years).
  3. Adjust Physical fence cost ($/ft), Physical fence life (years) as needed.
  4. Review the Annual savings (virtual vs physical) ($) result.
  5. Use Savings percentage (%) and Physical fence (annualized) ($) to inform your decision.

How the result changes with Herd size (head)

Herd size (head)Annual savings (virtual vs physical)
5,001-$833,327.00
17,501-$2,958,327.00
32,500-$5,508,157.00
45,000-$7,633,157.00

What each input means

Total pasture (acres)
Total grazing area to be fenced/subdivided.
Number of paddocks
Desired number of rotational paddocks.
Herd size (head)
Number of animals needing virtual collars.
Virtual collar cost ($)
Cost per virtual fencing collar.
Monthly fee per collar ($)
Monthly subscription per collar.
Collar lifespan (years)
Expected useful life of each collar.
Physical fence cost ($/ft)
Material cost per foot of traditional fence.
Physical fence life (years)
Expected lifespan of physical fencing.
Labor cost ($/hr)
Hourly cost for fence installation labor.

What each result means

Annual savings (virtual vs physical)
Positive = virtual is cheaper. Negative = physical is cheaper.
Savings percentage
Percentage savings of cheaper option.
Physical fence (annualized)
Annual cost of physical fencing including maintenance.
Virtual fence (annualized)
Annual cost of virtual fencing system.
Physical fence upfront cost
Total materials and labor for physical fence installation.
Virtual collar upfront cost
Total cost for all virtual fencing collars.
Virtual cost per acre/yr
Annual virtual fencing cost per acre.
Physical cost per acre/yr
Annual physical fencing cost per acre.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Total pasture (acres) = 640, Number of paddocks = 8, Herd size (head) = 100, Virtual collar cost ($) = 150 = 9 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Annual savings
    Annual savings = annualizedPhysicalCost - annualizedVirtualCost
    -157 = $-157
  3. Calculate Savings percentage
    Savings percentage = annualizedPhysicalCost > 0
    -0.9 = -0.9%
  4. Calculate Physical fence
    Physical fence = totalPhysicalCost / physicalFenceLifeYears + annualPhysicalMaintenance
    16843 = $16,843

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