Goats at Work
Back to basics
First let’s start off by saying its simple! We are not here to reinvent the wheel or sample a brand-new herbicide on the market in which we don’t know the long-term effects and damage it may cause to our countryside and the economy. Goats are one of the oldest domesticated animals based on archaeological evidence, domesticated over 10,000 years ago. They have been used in weed control for over 1,000 years so something must be said in what goats do in the control of weeds and brush.
At present goats are used all around the world from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal to name a few, so why are we NOT using them?
Chemicals are not working
There is a lot of awareness of what chemicals do to the environment and you would think after over 40 years of using such chemicals we would be weed free by now so obviously it’s not working. We need to do something else!
Enter the Goats
Technically, goats don’t graze; they browse. They’ll eat brush, leaves, twigs, and other such food first, only turning to grass when there’s nothing else left.
Goats also don’t munch each plant down to a nub and move on. They’ll pick off the flower heads so the plant can’t go to seed, and eat the leaves so it can’t photosynthesize. But they’ll leave the stalk, which holds the soil in place, preventing erosion. With only a bare stem left, the plant has to work overtime just to stay alive, giving native or more desirable plants a chance to grow. Goats also defecate a lot, and as they roam, their tough hooves stomp the pellets into the soil fertilizing it. Goats CAN NOT reseed from their waste droppings this is due to their advanced digestive system. They also irrigate, a pint at a time, with nitrogen-tinged urine that helps balance the minerals in the soil. And, notably, they’ll eat just about anything, including plants that are poisonous to other animals.
Change the habit
Using goats instead of chemicals is a practice that has grown alongside organic farming in many countries but it has yet to really take off in the UK. A lot of it this is due to force of habit. People turn to chemicals because that is what has been taught over the years, but what is the true cost? Considering the impact on the planet of spraying toxic chemicals versus using goats to wipe out weeds. It’s a slow change but we need to make that change for our future.
Building communities
Studies around the world have shown the positive effects that goats have had in weed and brush control. This would not be a one off program it would be done over a period of time and rotational program, depending on size we would suggest a 3-5-year plan.
Communities are also in favour of goats used and this creates a more relaxed and happier feeling around people seeing the goats at work. Not only for the ecological effect also the interaction with goats.
Let us help you
If you feel we can help or assist in running trails in your area please do not hesitate in contacting us.
