"Say Goodbye to Energy-Intensive Lawn Mowers: The Benefits of Eco-Grazing with Sheep"

2023-05-14 14:00:00

Sheep make it possible to put an end to the use of energy-intensive mechanical mowers and to practice a staggered cut, respectful of biodiversity.

This article is from the magazine Les Indispensables de Sciences et Avenir n°213 dated April/June 2023.

Every spring, for almost ten years, 150 sheep, their shepherd and his “urbanized patous” settle in the Malbosc park in Montpellier.

A rustic means of maintenance

For four months, the herd will graze the 20 hectares of flowery meadow… and not “grassed lawns”. The implementation of this rustic means of maintenance was born from a strong ecological concern: to put an end to the use of energy-intensive mechanical mowers and to practice staggered cutting, respectful of biodiversity. “The sheep feed themselves and, in exchange, provide natural manure. Without rake the ground like goats would do, explains Maarten Thiels, urban agriculture project manager for the city.

A management method that is gaining ground

Animations accompany the operation: mini-transhumances over a few kilometres, wool shearing sessions, lambing. “Montpellier and Lille were precursors”, welcomes Louise Covemaeker, of Ecozoone, who has been breeding animals for twenty years – nearly 1,500 – intended to be rented for eco-grazing. This mode of management is gaining ground. There are countless cities, high schools or railway embankments maintained in this way!

By Valerie Handweiler

Find this article on sciencesetavenir.fr