Collaring Livestock

A VF collar generally consists of several key components: GPS detection, a cellular or radio receiver and transmitter, the ability to emit audio warnings, electrodes for delivering an electric pulse, a plastic insulator at the top to separate the electrodes, and a battery. Some models come with solar panels to recharge the battery, while others use a single-use battery. The design of VF collars is quite similar to traditional cowbells, and the process of attaching a VF collar is also comparable. When fitting the collar, the animal is secured in a squeeze (or crush), and two people hold either end of the chain. Although different companies use various fastening systems, they are all designed for quick installation. With practice, an animal can be collared within about a minute.

Similar to when cows are first fitted with cowbells, livestock may initially be nervous about having something new around their necks. In practice, however, this reaction typically lasts less than a minute.