The Many Benefits of Using Goats to Keep Weeds in Check in El Paso County
This post was inspired by a recent article in The Gazette – “They’re baa-ck. Goats return to Bear Creek to eat weeds, help mitigate fires”.
More often in places around the country – especially on government owned lands, nature’s lawnmowers (goats) are used to keep noxious and invasive plants in check.
Here in Colorado Springs the annual pilgrimage of hundreds of Goats to Bear Creek Regional Park is now in full swing. The goats perform an essential service: target grazing. They chow down on grasses and the invasive plants – providing many benefits to Bear Creek Park and surrounding areas.
Goats Taking Care of Weeds and Overgrowth
The typical strategy is to bring goats to a plot of land and keep them contained within an electric fence. Once a plot of lands has been effectively grazed out, the goats and the fence are relocated to a different location on the property.
These goats are ruminants with a four-chambered stomach that allows them to efficiently digest fibrous plant material – including noxious weeds. Their diet and eating habits reflect their adaptability and hardiness in various environments. This makes them great for keeping weeds and grasses under control.
Goats are Nature’s Lawn Mowers and Keep Landscapes Healthy
Benefits of Goat Grazing in El Paso County
Inviting goats on to public or private lands to chow down on weeds is a sustainable, versatile, and often effective method for managing noxious weeds and contributing to ecological health and conservation.
Eco-Friendly
Goats provide a natural alternative to chemical herbicides, reducing the environmental impact of weed control. They can help maintain the ecological balance and prevent the contamination of soil and water sources.
While the goats do require transportation to their feeding grounds, their carbon footprint while feasting is negligible. They don’t require fossil fuels to operate, unlike mechanical weed removal methods, which means they have a lower carbon footprint.
Selective Grazing to Improve Biodiversity
Goats have a unique ability to select and consume a wide variety of plants, including many noxious weeds that are otherwise difficult to control. They can navigate rough terrain and consume plants that might be inaccessible or hazardous for humans to handle. Goats can help maintain or increase biodiversity by removing invasive species that outcompete native plants. This can have a positive effect on the local ecosystem, encouraging a variety of plants and animals to thrive.
Soil Fertilization
As goats graze, they naturally fertilize the land with their manure. This can improve soil health and promote the growth of desirable vegetation.
Reduced Fire Risk
Goats Work Hard to Help Reduce the Risk of Fire Danger in El Paso County
El Paso County typically undergoes red flag danger days in the summer where fire risk is very high. By consuming dry and flammable vegetation, goats can help reduce the fuel load in an area, which in turn can decrease the risk of wildfires. If fires do break out, plots that goats have dined on can serve as fire breaks and can potentially slow the effects of fires in that area.
Cost-Effective
In many cases, using goats for weed control can be more cost-effective than mechanical or chemical alternatives, especially in rough or inaccessible terrain where machinery cannot reach or would be too expensive to use. Uneven terrain or terrain interspersed with boulders or rocks is prime goat munching territory.
Cashmere Wool
The article mentions that Cashmere goats are utilized to keep the weeds in check. In addition to providing a public service by cleaning the land, the goats also produce highly coveted wool. Cashmere wool, which is highly valued for its softness, warmth, and lightweight properties.
