One of Britain's oldest sheep breeds, the Shropshire Down, has recently come to the attention of fruit growers seeking to minimise their use of herbicides in tree plantations and vineyards. The use of Shropshires for controlling weed growth between trees can reduce herbicide pollution of groundwater and replaces the need for mowing. The sheep can also reduce the spread of fungal diseases by consuming fallen leaves, and, as renowned producers of meaty lambs, Shropshires deliver another valuable income stream for the farmer or grower.
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