Did you know why cyclists should love goats?

On April 6^th and 7^th, professional and amateur cyclists will race on the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix, one of Europe’s most iconic races. Just as weeds challenge farmers, they like to grow between cobblestones. This results in slippery surfaces for riders and is a challenge for local communities maintaining these roads. Luckily, goats came to save the day!👇

Just like farmers using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to improve pest control, race organisers experimented with various alternatives to control weeds. After yielding unsatisfactory results with gas burners and mechanical control, they discovered that goats offer an effective solution: A herd of helpful goats was employed to eat weeds between the cobblestones before race day! [1] 

Farmers are equally creative in their approach to IPM. To tackle local challenges, there is no one size fits all solution. Farmers need a broad toolbox to find the best combination of pest control measures.

[1] Why goats are helping ready Paris-Roubaix's cobbles for spring | Cycling Weekly