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milestogo

(16,829 posts)
Tue May 26, 2020, 01:01 PM May 2020

At least somebody's got a job...

Madison using goats to devour invasive plants



MADISON (WKOW) -- Fighting invasive plants is an on-going challenge for Madison Parks staff and volunteers, so this year, they're using a new technique: goats.

Goats are natural grazers and enjoy snacking on invaders such as buckthorn, honeysuckle and garlic mustard, eating an average of 8 pounds of vegetation per day. This prescribed grazing is an important land management tool for natural areas and an important component of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan PDF .

Madison Parks has hired about 40 adult and young adolescent goats from a local farm to help reduce invasive species at two locations this year. Greenside Park and Acewood Conservation Park were identified and intentionally selected due to their size, terrain and overwhelming need to control invasive species.

“This is the first year for Parks to use this management technique and we are hopeful it will help us strengthen our IPM and operate more sustainably,” said Paul Quinlan, Conservation Resource Supervisor. “The prescribed grazing is planned for this spring and fall and we hope to continue this practice over the next few years to reduce the abundance of invasives.”

https://wkow.com/2020/05/26/madison-using-goats-to-devour-invasive-plants/
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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At least somebody's got a job... (Original Post) milestogo May 2020 OP
I've known people who have used goats to clear undergrowth and thickets from Arkansas Granny May 2020 #1
Trump will tell CA to use goats to avoid forest fires. CaptYossarian May 2020 #2
Do the goats know how to rake? milestogo May 2020 #3
I think they learn that as kids? Brainfodder May 2020 #6
We already use them to help control poison oak Retrograde May 2020 #4
They can eat poison ivy as well, correct? A HERETIC I AM May 2020 #8
They work pretty good on feral blackberries... Wounded Bear May 2020 #5
I believe Duke Energy uses them onethatcares May 2020 #7

Arkansas Granny

(31,483 posts)
1. I've known people who have used goats to clear undergrowth and thickets from
Tue May 26, 2020, 01:08 PM
May 2020

wooded areas before. They can even wipe out poison oak and ivy. And they're eco-friendly.

Brainfodder

(6,423 posts)
6. I think they learn that as kids?
Tue May 26, 2020, 01:43 PM
May 2020


They are probably way smarter than humans.



At least some of them, I can't believe we are discussing MASKS, assholes remarking & worse, and not using for their own safety during a pandemic, they have to be mentally defective stupid shits!

Retrograde

(10,073 posts)
4. We already use them to help control poison oak
Tue May 26, 2020, 01:39 PM
May 2020

especially in hilly places. Only problem is, they'll eat anything, which presents a bit of a problem when a flock gets loose in a suburban area - as happened a few weeks ago in San Jose.

A HERETIC I AM

(24,321 posts)
8. They can eat poison ivy as well, correct?
Tue May 26, 2020, 03:17 PM
May 2020

with no ill effects?

I wonder if they can eat that nasty Giant Hogweed monster of a plant that can cause 3rd degree burns.

Wounded Bear

(58,440 posts)
5. They work pretty good on feral blackberries...
Tue May 26, 2020, 01:41 PM
May 2020

which will overrun your property if not contained around here (western WA state).

Have known a few people who rented or bought goats to clear their property.

onethatcares

(16,133 posts)
7. I believe Duke Energy uses them
Tue May 26, 2020, 03:11 PM
May 2020

to clear the land below their solar farms due to the low to no impact they cause.

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