The FENCE Act would let producers use USDA disaster recovery funding for GPS-enabled livestock fencing if it costs no more than repairing physical fences.

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich has introduced legislation that would allow farmers and ranchers to use federal disaster recovery funding for virtual fencing technology.

The Fencing Eligibility for New Conservation Equipment Act, or FENCE Act, is cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján. The bill would allow producers to use U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Conservation Program funding for virtual fencing after natural disasters damage existing fences.

Virtual fencing uses GPS-enabled collars to guide livestock movement through audio cues and electrical pulses. Supporters say the technology can help ranchers manage grazing while reducing physical fencing that can interfere with wildlife migration.

“As a kid, I helped repair fences on our small calf-cow operation, and I know exactly how time consuming it is,” Heinrich said. “As a sportsman, I’ve also seen how built infrastructure can dramatically alter wildlife migration corridors.”

Heinrich said the bill would help producers manage livestock more efficiently while restoring landscapes used by wildlife.

The Emergency Conservation Program currently covers up to 75% of the cost of restoring or replacing permanent agricultural fences. Under the bill, ECP funds could be used for virtual fencing only if the cost of installing the technology is not more than the cost of repairing or replacing the original permanent fencing.

“Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico and across the country are looking for smarter, more flexible ways to manage their operations and care for the land they depend on,” Luján said.

The legislation is led by Heinrich and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb. It is cosponsored by Luján, U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb. and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.