It’s always nice to see companies take a step away from technology for ecological reasons – especially a business that makes its living in a high-tech field.

That’s why the story from the weekend that Google is to follow in Yahoo’s footsteps and introduce goats to their staff roll is welcome news.

Around 200 goats visit Google’s Mountain View headquarters and spend around a week there eating the grass and weeds, while fertilising the area as well. This service, provided by California Grazing, will replace the petrol-guzzling mowers that previously did the job.

In California it is a legal requirement for landowners to keep brush under control in order to limit the number of wild fires and the damage they can cause.

During World War I the White House made use of a similar tactic – with a herd of sheep allowed to graze the lawn – but sheep don’t have the same ability as goats to climb and reach the out of the way spots, nor do they have the same appetite for a lot of the weeds that goats are happy to munch on.