Posted on 05/30/2023 5:50:41 AM PDT by devane617
Hundreds of goats munch on long blades of yellow grass on a hillside next to a sprawling townhouse complex. They were hired to clear vegetation that could fuel wildfires as temperatures rise this summer.
These voracious herbivores are in high demand to devour weeds and shrubs that have proliferated across California after a drought-busting winter of heavy rain and snow.
“It’s a huge fuel source. If it was left untamed, it can grow very high. And then when the summer dries everything out, it’s perfect fuel for a fire,” said Jason Poupolo, parks superintendent for the city of West Sacramento, where goats grazed on a recent afternoon.
Targeted grazing is part of California’s strategy to reduce wildfire risk because goats can eat a wide variety of vegetation and graze in steep, rocky terrain that’s hard to access. Backers say they’re an eco-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides or weed-whacking machines that are make noise and pollution.
But new state labor regulations are making it more expensive to provide goat-grazing services, and herding companies say the rules threaten to put them out of business. The changes could raise the monthly salary of herders from about $3,730 to $14,000, according to the California Farm Bureau.
Companies typically put about one herder in charge of 400 goats. Many of the herders in California are from Peru and live in employer-provided trailers near grazing sites. Labor advocates say the state should investigate the working and living conditions of goatherders before making changes to the law, especially since the state is funding goat-grazing to reduce wildfire risk.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
“...from Peru...”
A euphemism.
I would herd goats for $14k/month.
The State is being run by lunatics...
“I would herd goats for $14k/month.”
...and, you get FREE housing!
California continues to screw itself.
They should hire muslims.
They’d do it for free......................
The State is being run by communists
They must crash the state to build back Communist.
That
Simple.
Where does it say agencies have the right to set rules? At the Federal level, Congress has abdicated its responsibility to maintain oversight on agencies like the EPA, Dept of Education, etc. and let them run roughshod over the economy. Now we are seeing state agencies getting in on the act. It's a power grab.
The state funds the goat grazing.
The state has decided that the state needs to pay more for goat grazing.
Goat herders would be paid very handsomely by the state, according to new state regulations.
And the goat herding companies say this will drive them out of business.
I’m not quite connecting all of these dots.
Don’t they drop things the same things the Netherlands government(LOL) are complaining about and plan to shut down 3000 farms
But don’t goat produce Green House Gases? There’s just no winning…….
The California voters are the goat.
14k a month? No wonder California is going bankrupt.
Two thoughts:
1. California Department A (the State Regulator) says raise the monthly salary of herders from about $3,730 to $14,000. California Department B actually hires the goats but cannot afford those new rates.
2. Goats are hired by towns, cities, counties and private parties to control fire hazard weeds.
Thanks to the pols, let it burn.. If you voted for the Marxist Dems; live with it and don’t complain.
Sigh. Madness. But I will say this: across the street at the end of the court where I live is a power line easement a little over 100 yards wide, and many miles long. Waste high dead grass would be a huge fire hazard here in the middle of the city. It’s actually cool when the goats are brought through. They temporarily fence off maybe 5 acres at a time, and the goats clear out the grass right down to the ground.
Will those goat be bah-goats or fah-goats?
After they graze then you can eat them, if you like goats.
Grazin’ in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it
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