Can You Combine Sheep Farming With Winemaking? These Two Vermont Friends Are Going to Find Out - EcoWatch
▻https://www.ecowatch.com/sheep-farming-winemaking-2639687887.html
The sheep graze the vineyard during its dormancy period to feed on the vegetation between and under vines. They’re also contained within approximately ¼ acre paddocks that are moved daily or every other day.
Through assigning the sheep to specific areas, a comparison can be made to those areas that are untreated. Researchers will examine the soil, the foliage, the grapes, the sheep and even the thoughts of Shelburne’s customers on the unique system integration.
In New Zealand, where this is a common practice and where Niles has done a large bulk of her research, the sheep are placed in the vines from May until September because of the climate.
However, the farm animals in Vermont were used from May until June before the vines got long enough for the sheep to be able to reach and chew on them. They will make their return from September until October for the harvest season.