Weed Control by Goats Gives Comfort to Expressway Travelers

Copyright Central Nippon Expressway Co.

The Kanazawa Branch of Central Nippon Expressway Co. located in Ishikawa Prefecture introduced grassland management by goats in April 2010. This project aims to maintain beautiful scenery and to reduce noise and carbon dioxide emissions from grass cutters.

The company opened a goat yard with five goats in the Johana Service Area on the Tokai Hokuriku Expressway in Toyama Prefecture on April 17, 2010. It also started keeping three goats in the Kanazawa Maintenance and Service Center on July 16.

By shifting from conventional lawnmowers to goats, carbon dioxide emissions and noise from the machines will be cut to zero, while allowing grass to be maintained on the roadside slope of the expressway, in play parks in service and parking areas, and near tollgates. The excess grass is simply eaten by the goats instead of becoming industrial waste, and the sight of goats grazing comforts expressway travelers.

The goat weeding program was started at Johana SA, Arisoumi SA, and the Fukumitsu Interchange in Toyama Prefecture, as well as Amagozen SA in Ishikawa Prefecture in August 2010. Although the program remains in the experimental phase, the company plans to extend grass areas managed by goat weeding along the Hokuriku Expressway and the Tokai Hokuriku Expressway.

Company to Begin 'Rental Goat' Weeding Service (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/029545.html
Sheep Help Improve River Environment (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/025159.html

Posted: 2010/11/11 06:00:15 AM