Vegetation Management

Cattle Grazing for Brush Control

Nov. 18, 2010

To avoid the use of herbicides, grazing has been proposed as an alternative control measure. This study examines the efficacy of cattle as brush control agents. Read more...

Sig Guggenmoos,

K.G. Karpovich

Maintenance of a power line compatible plant community on right of ways requires periodic interventions. The intervention normally consists of mechanical clearing followed by herbicide applications. A distribution line right of way southwest of Camrose, Alberta was recleared in 1986. Cattle were used to graze .58 ha of right of way in 1988 and 1989

To avoid the use of herbicides, grazing has been proposed as an alternative control measure. This study examines the efficacy of cattle as brush control agents...

About the Author

Sig Guggenmoos | P. Ag. CPC President, Ecological Solutions Inc., Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada

Education: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture B.Sc.(Agr.)

Accreditations: Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.); Certified Professional Consultant (CPC)

Organizations: Alberta Institute of Agrologists, International Society of Arboriculture, Utility Arborist Association, Industrial Vegetation Management Association of Alberta.

Mr. Guggenmoos was a chief architect of the TransAlta Utilities Distribution Line Clearance program, which reduced tree related outages 80%; saved 48 million dollars over two maintenance cycles; had a 98% customer satisfaction rating; and, showed a 21% increase in contractor crew productivity. He was responsible for the herbicide program, associated research and communication. In addition, he brought a financial focus to the program, developing processes for financial comparisons of alternatives to repetitive tree pruning and was intimately involved in the design and assessment of contracting methods.

As president of Ecological Solutions Inc. (Ecosync) Mr. Guggenmoos provides consulting services in vegetation management and biotic greenhouse gas mitigation strategies including biomass-derived energy.

Publications and Presentations:
Author of numerous abstracts and publications; numerous presentations to public, industry and professional associations including international conferences. List of publications available upon request.