Solar power generation base sheep farming scam

Can a solar farm help a sheep farm?

Some Minnesota sheep farmers have found a way to help their bottom line by contracting with solar farms to have flocks tidy up under the panels by eating the undergrowth. In rural Chisago County, clippers buzz and wool falls like snow as a flock of about 100 sheep gets a haircut.

Are sheep better than goats on solar farms?

There are a few reasons sheep are the superior choice for grazing on solar farms. For one, they are shorter than cows and horses. They will also eat most kinds of forage, which helps keep plant growth at bay. Goats, on the other hand, will chew pretty much anything, which is a bit of a risk on solar farms.

Can solar panels help Minnesota sheep farmers graze under solar panels?

Cannon Valley Graziers sheep graze under solar panels at a U.S. Solar installation in Stacy, Minn., on June 6. Some Minnesota sheep farmers have found a way to help their bottom line by contracting with solar farms to have flocks tidy up under the panels by eating the undergrowth.

Are ewes on a solar farm?

These animals, owned by Cannon Valley Graziers, aren’t on a sheep farm. They are visiting a solar farm and — after their date with the shearer — they are here to work. Freed from the pen, several ewes congregate under nearby solar arrays, chomping away at weeds and grass.

Could sheep graze with solar panels?

As such, having sheep graze alongside solar panels could be a bit of a growth sector—and not just for meat, as sheep also produce wool and milk. Schmit noted that, although the US doesn’t currently consume much sheep’s meat, the domestic market is growing. Raising the livestock in the US could also bolster local economies.

Is sheep grazing a profitable business?

Sheep farmers say their meat sales aren’t as profitable as beef, chicken or pork. Wool adds some income, but not a lot. However, Hark said this is an opportunity to generate extra income by offering not just goods, but also a service. “Solar grazing adds another farm enterprise to the equation,” he said.