Sustainable Farming

As more people become aware of the harmful effects of pesticides on the environment and public health, many farmers have experimented with alternative methods of controlling insects and weeds. It has become increasingly clear that no single solution exists leading many farmers to begin applying integrated pest management (IPM) systems. These systems employ a variety of techniques and are specially tailored to individual farmers and regions.

Sheep have been considered as an element weed control and recent research by individual farmers has shown promising signs. Instead of tilling up large portions of land at the end of the growing season, sheep can be used to manage the weed proliferation on fallow land. Since sheep are indiscriminant eaters, they generally cannot be used on a field during the growing season, but contolling weeds while the land is fallow can reduce their impact during the rest of the year. Many farmer who utilize sheep have portable, solar powered, electric fences. This allows the sheep to be easily rotated between different areas.

Between 2004 and 2006, Kimberly McConnaghy and her husband Demoin conducted research on their farm in Lemhi County, Idaho. They used a flock of Katahdin sheep to control common tansy growth. The McConnaghies were quite successful and began a grazing service known as, “Little Munchers,” to provide other farmers in their area with the benefits of sheep.

References:

SARE Project Reports: 

“Controlling Common Tansy with Sheep” http://www.sare.org/reporting/report_viewer.asp?pn=FW05-007&ry=2006&rf=1

“Sheep vs. Weeds: Biological Control Agents to Combat Noxious Weeds”  http://www.sare.org/reporting/report_viewer.asp?pn=FW05-004&ry=2006&rf=0