Living Systems

Vineyards

The use of sheep grazing in Vineyards is an effective method for the management of cover crops, pest plants and weeds. As an alternative to mowing and application of herbicides, sheep can be introduced in the rows between vines, effectively avoiding the vines , grapes and leaves and irrigation. This eliminates the need for herbicides and chemical fertilizer and can be the most cost efficient way to treat vegetation as grazing both controls vegetation and inhibits the viability of invasive weeds.

Certain breeds and varieties of sheep will naturally avoid vines in favor of more palatable vegetation in and around the vine. Sheep can also be conditioned/trained to avoid plants altogether.
Additional benefits of sheep grazing include fertilization, pest reduction and improving soil structure, permeability and soil viability. A recent article in SF Gate gives an overview of the process.

Video Explaination from UC Extension

No Till System