Keep livestock in their place with virtual fencing
Breese, IL — Greg Thoren, a regenerative livestock producer in northern Illinois, will be a key speaker at the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition’s Grazing Conference. Thoren’s experience using virtual fence and grazing cover crops offers a unique perspective on how producers can optimize grazing strategies and improve profitability.
"We’re thrilled to have Greg share his hands-on knowledge of grazing systems," says Logan Karcher, ILGLC director of producer programs. "His insights into integrating livestock with cover crops and leveraging new technologies like virtual fence will be incredibly valuable for farmers looking to boost efficiency and profitability."
Utilizing Gallagher neck bands, Greg creates grazing paddocks through a mobile app, allowing for precise cattle movements. While he keeps poly wire fencing as a backup, the virtual fencing system has significantly streamlined his workflow.
“It’s been a game-changer,” Greg says. “The time I spend moving cattle has been cut in half. It’s an investment upfront, but when you factor in the labor savings, it pays for itself.”
Greg is just one of many speakers producers can hear from at the upcoming Grazing Conference. The speaker lineup includes producer and industry experts alike including Brian Dougherty and Luke Jones of Understanding Ag. Registration is open through Feb. 28.
About the Conference
The ILGLC conference is designed for livestock producers across Illinois who want to explore innovative techniques to maximize profitability. In addition to Greg’s session, the conference will feature producer panels, networking opportunities, and insights from experts and organizations focused on farm success.
Event Details
Date: March 11-12, 2025
Location: Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Drive Springfield, IL
By offering diverse perspectives from practitioners like Greg Thoren, ILGLC equips attendees with actionable insights they can implement back on their own farms. Whether you’re new to regenerative agriculture or an experienced grazier, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn from one of Illinois’ forward-thinking producers.
For more details on the event or to register, visit www.ilgrazinglands.org. Questions? Contact Logan Karcher at logan@ilgrazinglands.org
About Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition: Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition is the voice of regenerative grazing in Illinois. ILGLC promotes regenerative grazing in Illinois through free pasture walks, grazing schools, and other educational opportunities, as well as no-cost on-farm consultations for members.
Media Contact: Rosalie Trump, rosalie@ilgrazinglands.org, 815-751-6145