What’s the latest weapon in the viticultural battle against weeds? Here’s a hint: It’s fluffy, it has four legs, and it tastes great in a tagine. No, it’s not polar bears—although that would be awesome. It’s the humble ovine rambler, our friend, the sheep.
The Associated Press has the scoop on how UC Davis researchers are experimenting with using sheep as walking lawn mowers. The key is dosing the little dudes with small amounts of a nausea-inducing drug after they feast on grape vines and fruit. The result is sheep that hungrily eat everything in the vineyard—except the grapes and vines.
Another acceptable tactic: using babydoll sheep, whose small stature prevents them from messing with the vines. My God, this plan’s cuteness and tourism potential are profound.
As the article states, there are some vinters who do this already. Medlock Ames in Sonoma has a post on their blog about their http://www.medlockames.com/page/may2006.jsp
The title of this article is offensive.
Yes, the potential to use sheep as weed eaters instead of chemicals is not a novel idea. In Europe chickens, sheep and other grazers are used. It just takes us a little longer to embrace a new/old concept. Although, sheep including Babydolls will try to eat anything green if they are hungry enough. Check out Babydolls at Nebraska Sheep Directory and my own sheep at Duggie Plum @ http://web.mac.com/ohsuszanna/iWeb/Site%204/Duggie%27s%20Home.html
Yes, the potential to use sheep as weed eaters instead of chemicals is not a novel idea. In Europe chickens, sheep and other grazers are used. It just takes us a little longer to embrace a new/old concept. Although, sheep including Babydolls will try to eat anything green if they are hungry enough. Check out Babydolls at Nebraska Sheep Directory and Duggie Plum @ http://web.mac.com/ohsuszanna/iWeb/Site%204/Duggie%27s%20Home.html