Eco-grazing: saving money and the environment
We’re using sheep, goats, cows and other herbivores to clear invasive brush growing alongside tracks. Eco-grazing is a natural technique for keeping weeds and grass trimmed, and it’s less expensive than chemical and mechanical methods.
Little ponies, big impact
Near Béziers, a team of 5 miniature ponies munch their way along the tracks. Together, they can chomp up to 5 kilos of plants per day. Better yet, they pull up deep-rooted invasive plants and slow their spread.
Breton sheep versus Japanese Knotweed
Voracious Ouessant sheep can devour impressive quantities of Japanese Knotweed, an invasive plant that threatens biodiversity. Each spring the weed begins encroaching on our lines— but the insatiable sheep now keep it in check, ensuring better visibility for train drivers and making access easier if there’s an incident.
The sheep that keep SNCF rolling
An age-old, cost-effective method
We’ve experimented with several ruminants along our lines: miniature ponies, Ouessant sheep, Lorraine goats and even long-haired cattle from the Scottish Highlands. For help with eco-grazing, a time-honoured method, we rely on input from local farmers, non-profits and eco-grazing specialists. On average, eco-grazing costs 30% less than herbicides and mechanical mowing.
Brush control: Why it matters
We clear our lines for five key reasons:
- to provide optimum visibility for train drivers and SNCF employees on the ground
- to prevent fallen trees, branches, leaves and other obstructions from disrupting traffic
- to enable first responders, police and passengers to move quickly if there’s an incident
- to discourage wild animals from wandering onto the tracks
- to fight invasive plants
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