Get Your Goat

The latest trend in chemical-free weed removal has four legs and says “Baaa!” The use of goats for weed removal is making a comeback, often clearing the way so important environmental projects can begin. 

The case for employing these furry farmers to clear large plots of land of invasive species is a strong one, and a win-win situation for all parties. Weeds are cleared, often in hard-to-access areas, without the use of pesticides, maintaining soil and water health and saving money. Meanwhile, the goats naturally like the weeds and can eat up to 25 lb in a day, according to The Guardian.

In many instances, goats are clearing the weeds to make way for environmental programs. In Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, native plants will be placed after the weeds are cleared, to aid in erosion control. The city of La Cruces, N.M., is using 70 goats to clear the 2.5-mile Flood Control Dam as part of a larger environmental restoration plan. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, “The project consists of the construction of a ¾-acre permanent wetland and ¾-acre seasonal wet meadow with wetland vegetation, utilizing reclaimed water provided by the City of Las Cruces in a location upstream of the dam.”

Of course, there are risks. The goats will generally eat anything and everything, so it's expected that all vegetation in their paths will be cleared. They also don't typically eat the plants at the root, so there is a chance of regrowth. However, because the goats do not eat too close to the soil, the risk of erosion is minimized.  

So the next time you see a herd of goats grazing along the highway, or in the middle of a park, consider that they might not just be having a snack. They might be hard at work, clearing a plot of land as the first step in a larger environmental project.