Goat make good lawnmowers at Google
ABC Broken Hill (Broken Hill), Rural Report 2, 06/05/2009 06:42am
Google has announced that it will take a low-carbon approach to keeping the grass short at its California headquarters. 200 goats will graze on the fields for a week, at the same cost of a lawnmower.
Dave Simpson, chairman, Eyre Goat Producers Association, says goats are being used in Australia to control weeds such as blackberries, which can avoid the use of spraying. Simpson agrees the practice is better for the environment and could help reduce the undergrowth and fire hazards. He notes it is illegal to use goats in native vegetation, but believes they are no more destructive than other animals if managed. Simpson does not believe there are enough farm goats to be used to reduce fire material and the Sporting Shooters’ Association only shoots a few of the feral goats. Simpson adds the local goat industry supplies meat, but farms in the Adelaide hills supply milk. Simpson thinks Google’s trend will not take off, noting Meat & Livestock Australia has released a booklet on using goats to control weeds has not been popular.
Interviewee: Dave Simpson, chairman, Eyre Goat Producers Association
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