Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Why not imagine it in a way that works?

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                               

Cow Lawnmower

Feed a Cow, Cut Grass @ the same time
  (+1, -4)
(+1, -4)
  [vote for,
against]

I go to Whole Foods and beef advertises itself as being grass-fed, I mean isn't that how it's supposed to be? We can have grass fed beef if we just let cows go on our fenced suburban lawns.
ripemango, Jan 26 2011

How much grass does a cow require, exactly? http://www.envirosy...o.asp?current_id=90
At least 75 kilos per day, apparently. [mouseposture, Jan 26 2011]

Rabbits are best Eco-max_20mowing_20service
[MisterQED, Jan 26 2011]


Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.



Annotation:







       how'bout a tiny cow ?
FlyingToaster, Jan 26 2011
  

       Quite a lot of land in the UK is 'common' land - i.e. in common ownership. One of the things about common land is that anyone is allowed to graze their sheep on it. With common land in London this rarely happens - generally you just get police letting their horses nibble the grass while they're on their lunch break.
hippo, Jan 26 2011
  

       (-) Cows are especially bad for this for multiple reasons. First as mentioned the manure is HUGE, unsightly and actually dangerous due to how slippery it is while wet. Secondly cows will eat grass right to the ground if they are hungry. I saw one program that blamed some of Africa's woes on the British import of cattle which destroyed grasslands. Lastly cows are HEAVY and will leave deep prints in soft ground.   

       This problem is much better solved with goats or even better rabbits (link).
MisterQED, Jan 26 2011
  

       Not goats. Cows will eat down to the ground, goats will tear up the roots. Rabbits, sheep, or alpaca make sense. The latter especially since they pick a single spot to use as a litter box.
MechE, Jan 26 2011
  

       I'm actually more interested in how the //beef advertises itself//!!??
Cows with sandwich boards?
Talking packages of stew meat?
Bloody diagrams of how to chew grass?
xandram, Jan 26 2011
  

       // alpaca //   

       The Guanaco, being the smallest of the family, would probably be the best bet for suburban gardens.
8th of 7, Jan 26 2011
  

       Locusts would be better. You could keep a small flock of them in a box in fridge (where they will be dormant), then release them onto the lawn at appropriate times. They would have to be trained, of course, to return to the box when done - that's obvious.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 26 2011
  

       "Honey, we have to leave for the airport. Did you remember to bring our female guanaco?"
"Alpaca."
"Thanks."
MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 26 2011
  

       For Guanaco, read Vicuña. It's smaller still.
8th of 7, Jan 26 2011
  

       I'm curious whether or not this would produce less greenhouse gases than a gas-driven mower.
DrWorm, Jan 26 2011
  

       Ruminants produce a lot of methane from their digestive system, so it' s probably worse. Plants metabolise carbon dioxide, but not methane, and methane's a serious greenhouse gas.
8th of 7, Jan 26 2011
  

       Call it the "Lawn Mooer."
DrWorm, Jan 27 2011
  

       The benefit comes if it supports a cow that would be living anyway.
MechE, Jan 27 2011
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle