Sheep grazing to eliminate weeds in an organic ´Valencia´ orange orchard in the Huasteca Potosina
- International Journal of Avian & Wildlife Biology
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Omegar Cruz-Arvizu,1
Sandra L CastroGaribay,2
Pedro I Ventura Medina,1
Andrea G
Pacheco Chacón1
Abstract
The Huasteca Potosina is one of the areas with orange orchards, where agrochemicals are
applied to obtain an adequate harvest. However, year after year, producers are required to
produce organically in the orchards, which makes it necessary to look for environmentally
friendly alternatives for activities such as fertilization and elimination of weeds. This study
describes using a portable cage for grazing sheep as an alternative to eliminating weeds in
an organic ‘Valencia’ orange orchard. The cage prototype is functional as the sheep direct
the cage towards the weeds and do not cause damage to the trunks and branches of adult
and young trees. Additional benefits are obtained, such as fertilization by manure and urine,
economic benefits by reducing labor costs and the sale of sheep, and an environmentally
friendly method of eliminating weeds.
Keywords
environmentally friendly, weeds, organic orchard, grazing, small species, valencia orange
