North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[jeff <jko@save-net.com>]

On Tuesday 25 March 2003 09:11 am, Rick Valley wrote:
> I'm very curious as to whether it would be possible to move sheep through
> quickly enough to mow and yet not de-bark the trees;

We have run sheep through our trees for years and can report
the answer is maybe.  Some breeds of sheep can stay in an orchard
full time and not bother the trees.  Other sheep such as shetlands
have to be watched constantly.  It appears that the English breeds
of sheep are mostly compatible with orchards.  Also, sheep taken
from pastures without trees tend to be less trouble.=20

The problems start when sheep get bored or have eaten the grass
down.  For pasture management we try to keep the sheep in an
area till they eat all the grass down.  Otherwise they only eat a few
favorite types of grass and leave the rest.   So... there is the problem,
how do we get the grass down and move the sheep before they
investigate the trees.   The only answer i've come up with is observation
and interaction.=20

jeff