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 From the News Desk...Going green with goatsby John ReitmanWhen it comes to maintaining some of the steep hillsides and other out-of-play areas at Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose, Calif., superintendent Nick Checklenis prefers to use a fleet of small, environmentally friendly, self-propelled units, over the more bulky rough mowers. Passing golfers don’t even seem to mind the bleats, bahs and methane these little weed whackers emit. No, they’re not the latest in a line of electric-powered mowers manufactured in the Midwest; these are real, live goats that can help maintain areas such as steep hillsides that are hard to reach through traditional methods. They also help Checklenis manage those areas that have become parched fire hazards after years of drought, where the threat of a spark-induced fire has made them unsafe for mechanized mowing equipment. “They’re environmentally friendly, and they’re fire-proof,” said Checklenis. In his 17th year as superintendent at the club, Checklenis began using goats from Coalinga-based California Grazing to clear 5 or 6 acres of hard-to-reach land on the golf course this year. The homeowners association has been using the goats for the past two years to clear up to 150 acres and to create firebreaks throughout the property.  According to California Grazing owner Mike Janaday, the goats are especially fond of several types of weeds as well as bristle and brush. That's good news for Checklenis in his attempt to maintain several native hilly areas, but what do golfers and homeowners at Silver Creek Valley think of this low-end maintenance arrangement?
“They love it,” Checklenis said. “It’s definitely a different look on the course.” Silver Creek Valley is California Grazing’s only golf client. Most of the company’s business is comprised of parks and other municipal entities looking for a clean way to clear large tracts of land. Going green with goats isn’t cheap. The cost for California Grazing’s service runs about $50,000 to clear 150 acres for the Silver Creek Valley homeowners association and about $1,000 per acre to clear 5 or so acres on the golf course, Checklenis said. Depending on the area, California Grazing might bring as many as 700 to 1,000 goats to clear parts of the property. The amount of foliage in an affected area as well as the slope, etc., all factor into how long it takes the goats to how long it takes the goats to complete each task. The process begins in February, and clearing all 150-plus acres can take up to six months. Ranchers with California Grazing use low-voltage electric fencing to keep the animals where they want them on the property, and away from where they don’t. Still, some of the goats occasionally manage to break free and roam throughout the golf course and common areas, eating plants in landscaped areas. Border collies are used to round them up so they can complete their task and move on to the next job. “Some times they get out of a confined area,” Checklenis said, “and they eat plants in landscaped areas, both the homeowners and golf course property.” |
 In other news... Greens of envy Olympic Club members and 2012 U.S. Open reap benefits of converting from Poa annua to bentgrass. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » News and people briefs Register now for New England turf show, Toro introduces walk-behind trencher, Sipcam adds to sales staff Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » A better divot digger Motorized device developed at the University of Arkansas produces uniform damage quickly and could help advance turf recovery research. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » Currier moving on from Bethpage Site of this year's U.S. Open to get new superintendent and 15th green. Posted: 11/18/2009 Read more » Economic struggles mean finding more fat to trim Superintendents look for ways to cut due to shrinking budgets. Posted: 11/16/2009 Read more » Complete news index »
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