The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, multiple county conservation districts and several nonprofit conservation organizations will offer an educational symposium on virtual fencing for livestock on Jan. 8, 2026 at the Camplex Central Pavilion Building in Gillette.

Virtual fence is a new and evolving technology that manages livestock movement remotely with electronic collars. The systems use auditory cues and electronic pulses to control livestock movement without a physical fence. Virtual fences can reduce time required for building, repairing and maintaining traditional wood or wire fence and allow control of livestock movement remotely via computer or cellphone.

Virtual fencing can also help landowners meet conservation goals such as incorporating rotational grazing, limiting livestock use in sensitive areas such as along streams and supporting increased wildlife movement by animals such as deer, pronghorn and elk.

Representatives from four virtual fence manufacturers – Nofence, Gallagher/eShepherd, Vence and Halter – will attend the symposium to discuss their products and how they work. Representatives from conservation organizations will provide information on funding opportunities for producers wanting to get started with virtual fence and government land management agency personnel will discuss their agency’s virtual fence policies.

The symposium is free, but pre-registration is required. The symposium will begin at 8 a.m. and end approximately 4 p.m. A free lunch will be provided.