GOATS IN THE WOODS. A Sustainable & Affordable Alternative to Managing Invasive Species

Transcription

1 GOATS IN THE WOODS A Sustainable & Affordable Alternative to Managing Invasive Species

2 The Goat Woman Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture Pennsylvania Women s Agricultural Network Pennsylvania Meat Goat Producers Association Pennsylvania Farmstead & Artisan Cheese Alliance Buy Fresh Buy Local American Goat Federation Farmers on the Square farmers market Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center Meat Goat Buck Test Governor s Food Safety Council Penn State University Extension Dickinson College North Carolina State Extension Gettysburg College Shippensburg University Carroll County Community College, Maryland Cumberland County 4-H Spoutwood Farm Center Mother Earth Harvest Festival Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture Pennsylvania Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival Council of State Governments Pennsylvania Women s Agricultural Network MPWV Meat Goat Producers Association American Sheep Industry Association Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources South Central Pennsylvania Project Grass

3 Why Goats? Reduce/Eliminate the need for chemical & mechanical control Comparable to alternative means, in terms of cost, on small to mid-sized projects, but offer significant savings on large to very large areas. Can clear difficult-to-reach areas such as steep hillsides, wooded areas with dense undergrowth and wetlands. Clear areas that are physically unpleasant to work in (briars, poison ivy) Can create an additional revenue stream (and meat) for property owner Cute & fun to watch!

4 Who Uses Goats? Cemeteries Corporations Airports Municipal & State governments State Parks Water Authorities National Parks & Monuments Home-Owner Associations Orchards/Farms Non-profit organizations

5 Yahoo! Headquarters

6 San Francisco Airport

7 Congressional Cemetery

8 Adkins Arboretum 30 goats 2 days Cleared ½ acre Woody vines White Mulberry Black Locust

9 Commercial Olive Grove

10 Kings Gap State Park

11 Choices With Your Own Goats Hiring Goats As a Business

12 With Your Own Goats Considerations Fencing (portable or permanent) Shelter (portable or permanent) Goats (breeding herd or seasonal herd) Husbandry & Management (are you ready to be a goat farmer?) Predator Control (LGD, llama, donkey, shepherd)

13 Fencing Permanent versus Temporary Or a combination!

14 Portable Fencing Advantages Inexpensive Easy to set up Highly configurable Easily scaled Works with multiple species Drawbacks Can be damaged or compromised by wildlife Doesn t last as long Animals MUST be trained Can be undercharged

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16 Permanent Fencing Advantages Capital improvement Stronger & more reliable Minimum maintenance Works with multiple species Drawbacks Expensive Not as configurable Must be kept clear of brush on the wires (electric)

17 Fencing Tips Use woven, not welded wire Six (6) strand, all hot for high-tensile Pounded post is better than drilled Purchase the best charger you can afford Ground properly

18 Shelter Considerations Portable or Permanent Size & Composition Price

19 Whatever Works! Shade is critical in summer Protection from wet & wind in winter.

20 Goats Considerations Quantity Age Breed Sex Tips Never buy from auction Actively breeding goats don t do well in portable fencing Milk breeds must be milked when fresh De-horned & naturally polled goats are less destructive on trees

21 Husbandry & Management Do you really want to be a goat owner? 24/7/365 commitment Parasite management Feet trimming Breeding & Kidding Health maintenance Nutrition & feeding Transportation Sales Mortality disposal

22 Predator Control Goats are not at the top of the food chain Options Livestock Guardian Dogs Llamas Donkeys What are your predators? Domestic dogs Coyotes Vultures Humans

23 Hiring Goats Considerations Large or Small Project One Time or Annual Project Finding a Professional

24 Steps for Hiring Goats Determine your need Contact service providers in your area Communicate your objectives and goals Invite them to survey the site, make recommendations and offer an estimate. Always check references, previous clients and verify insurance coverage Enter into a contract Respect the service provider s rules regarding their stock.

25 As a Business Investments required Transportation (truck & trailer) Goats Portable fencing system Livestock Guardian Dog and/or Herding Dog Onsite housing (large jobs) Agricultural and Liability insurance coverage

26 Goatscaping Benefits Viewshed enhancement Wildlife habitat restoration Invasive/non-native species control Brush control for fire prone areas Herbaceous broadleaf removal prior to wood/lumber harvesting Reduce/eliminate herbicide use Reduce/eliminate mechanical removal

27 Before

28 During

29 After

30 Targeted Cleanup

31 Difficult to Mow Areas

32 Briars & Poison Ivy Before After

33 And when you re done

34 Resources E (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research University of Idaho (Targeted Grazing Handbook) American Sheep Industry Organization (Targeted Grazing Handbook) $25 Print & CD ASI at , ext. 32 or by at info@sheepusa.org University of Western Maryland Sheep & Goat Page Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture

35 Thank You! Contact Information Sandra Kay Miller 173 Jumper Road Newburg, PA