Abstract:
Devices that use sound as a deterrent/repellant are available for use in household and horticultural situations. There are no commercial devices in use to repel farm animals from certain areas. Repelling grazing animals from particular areas is the basis of virtual fencing. Electrical stimuli is considered a means of virtual fencing but this has animal welfare ramifications. A possible alternative to electrical stimuli is the use of auditory stimuli to deter animals from entering a particular area. The aim of this trial was to investigate the reaction of cattle to electronically generated sound as a preliminary stage in the development of virtual fencing.