Grazing sheep in the vineyard is a trend in Portugal

Grazing sheep in the vineyard is a method that is gaining popularity in Portugal. It allows to reduce the use of machinery and pesticides and preserve biodiversity in the name of protecting the soil from drying out. The services of "grazing sheep" are becoming more and more in demand, writes the Portuguese news agency Lusa. Maternal herd type - a successful formula for one-man show farms A flock of sheep is used to control the growth of vegetation in vineyards around Sabroza. Vintner and winemaker Paulo Coutinho specializes in regenerative agriculture. On his farm, he has introduced sheep grazing during the dormant phase of the vines. The goal is to regulate the growth of cover crops as the sheep are fed under the shepherd's supervision. They do not destroy the vegetation completely, says Coutinho. He has bet on a roofing mixture of oats, mustard and clover. Grazing in the vineyard also brings additional advantages, beyond saving costs for equipment and herbicides. It provides ...