This landowner needed to reduce the fire prone invasive weeds in their orchard. Due to the steep terrain and existing trees, machinery was not an option. After assessing the project scope and mapping the noxious weeds, we created a grazing plan, to systemically target the noxious weeds in portable electric net fencing.

This is a long term strategy to reduce noxious weeds while promoting more fire resistant native plants and the desired orchard trees. The trees were protected and only sheep were utilized in fence areas containing apple trees. Goats were used in open areas, areas with roses, juniper, and ponderosa pine. We recommend to continue to target graze the project for 2-3 years depending on the noxious seed bank viability. As we reduce the weeds, we are evenly distributing nutrients via manure and urine, creating a healthy soil to encourage native plants and grasses to thrive.