No fences, no limits: NICC pioneers GPS technology to help solve soil challenges
Monday, January 12, 2026
At Iowa’s Dairy Center, 1 mile south of the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) campus, a herd of cattle grazing on fresh pasture is a familiar sight. To the casual observer, it looks like a typical day on the farm, but there is one striking difference: there isn’t a physical fence containing the cattle.
Instead, the boundaries exist entirely on a smartphone screen.
This is the cutting edge of agricultural technology, and NICC is at the forefront of putting it to the test. Through a multiyear research project funded by the Community College Alliance for Agricultural Advancement (C2A3) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the College is replacing physical fences with GPS-enabled electronic collars. This technology allows farmers to control cow movement with the swipe of a finger, effectively managing the herd from anywhere.
"Seeing this technology in action is a game-changer," says Brodie Bushman, Northeast Iowa Dairy and Agriculture Foundation operations manager. “Cows trained very quickly. I look forward to seeing how this improves our pasture this summer as we really utilize the technology."
Breaking down the barrier
Why trade barbed wire for bandwidth? Because for decades, the biggest obstacle standing between farmers and better soil health has been the sheer labor of moving fences.
To truly regenerate land, producers need to practice rotational grazing—a system where herds are moved frequently to fresh pasture. According to a recent Drovers report, this method is proven to increase forage production by 30% to 70%. It allows grasses to develop deep, soil-anchoring roots that naturally prevent erosion. However, the time, sweat and cost required to constantly pull up and pound in physical posts often make this best practice unfeasible for the average farmer. The new GPS collars remove that labor barrier entirely.
The silent yield killer
By making rotational grazing easier to implement, NICC is helping farmers tackle one of modern agriculture’s most persistent enemies: soil compaction. This “silent yield killer” restricts root growth and prevents water from infiltrating the ground.
By combining the ease of virtual rotational grazing with insights from cover crop research, producers can rebuild their soil effectively. The College is specifically exploring the impact of strip grazing on soil health within no-till and cover crop rotations. Research confirms that cover crops—such as the cereal rye, triticale, Italian rye grass, oats and clovers used at NICC—act as “biological tillage.” When managed correctly, they break up the compacted hardpan and boost future yields.
“This research will evaluate how using cover crops and grazing cattle on cover crops will help or hinder soil health and crop production for Northeast Iowa farmers,” says Bushman.
Research in action
This project creates a unique, hands-on learning environment integrated directly into classes on plant biology, beef science and crop management. Students are moving beyond the textbook, actively taking measurements and monitoring data to understand how modern technology can solve biological problems. They also collaborate with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to track pasture forages and soil health.
Student involvement has also included the physical installation of the site. Funding from the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization (PAS) supported the effort to install the perimeter fencing, providing students with practical experience in farm infrastructure alongside their digital research.
“It has been great to work with students on this project,” Bushman says. “They have assisted in determining the paddock sizes, researching and managing the collars and building the perimeter fencing. Students will also assist in tracking improvements in our pasture forages and soil health in the next five years.”
“We are at a critical junction in agriculture where profitability and sustainability must coexist,” says Greg Moklestad, dean of Advanced Manufacturing, Computer Science and Agriculture. This work at the Dairy Center is part of a larger, long-term initiative at the College to bring modern, sustainable solutions to Northeast Iowa farmers. By leading this research, NICC is providing local producers with the real-world data they need to protect their land and their livelihoods.
The College will share more about this technology and other regenerative practices during the upcoming “Beyond the Fence: Grazing, Virtual Fence & Fertilizer Reduction” seminar on Tuesday, March 3 on the Calmar campus and Wednesday, March 4 on the Peosta campus. This free event brings together industry experts and local producers to discuss grazing innovation and fertilizer reduction. Certified Crop Advisers can earn 3.5 CEU credits. Attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing creekkr@nicc.edu or calling 563.265.5642.