Management of the green areas around the Kaufbeuren plant with sheep

HAWE manage the 3.5 hectares of green space around the Kaufbeuren plant with 50 sheep. The test phase since the end of April 2019 has shown that HAWE is able to manage the green areas more ecologically and with less effort with the support of the sheep. In the process, the difficult to work on green areas could be worked more efficiently, costs could be saved and the mechanical effort could be reduced. In particular, the management of the seeping ponds is much easier with the animals.

The initial idea for the use of sheep was already taken up by an employee about 5 years ago, as the effort to mow the seepaging ponds and areas with a high proportion of trees is very high. The HAWE employees are also fully integrated in the project. They have the possibility to take over sponsorships for the sheep. Also many departments can call a "department sheep" their own.

 

The project is planned as an apprentice project. So trainees have been working on a stable for the animals for several weeks and months. This includes the planning and construction of the barn as well as welding, drilling and riveting. The hydraulics for the stable are completely made of HAWE components. In addition, the trainees will take over the care of the animals.

 

For the keeping of sheep HAWE has been registered with its own farm number at the Amt für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten Kaufbeuren since February 2019. Agricultural businesses register the arrival and departure of animals there.

Bees in Kaufbeuren

Since July 6th the HAWE plant in Kaufbeuren has had new, hard-working employees. From now on bees will ensure sufficient pollination of the surrounding areas and green spaces of the plant.

A total of eight employees, including three trainees at the Kaufbeuren plant, are responsible for the bees. The project is supported and instructed by an employee who already has several years of experience with his own bees.

Before the actual start, the necessary beekeeping equipment was procured. These include beekeeper's boxes and other equipment necessary for the hygienic and species-appropriate keeping of bees.


This summer, the main focus will be on the good development of the young bee colonies in order to then overwinter them as strong bee colonies. This year the bees will have the opportunity to get used to their new environment and to explore it.


With this project HAWE wants to use the opportunity to sensitize the employees for the importance of environmental issues. HAWE's commitment, also in the field of biodiversity, is to be further expanded with this campaign and is a nice addition to the existing project for grazing the green areas around the Kaufbeuren plant by sheep.