Some backgroud, I work on a 190acre farm that used to be a riding school, QH breeding farm, and boarding stable. The ground was over grazed and now the native bluestem (north east kansas) has been over run with weeds. They have been mowing non stop to try and let the grass catch up but it is to labor intensive. I suggested goats and was made 40% partner on any goats raised. There is such a variety that cataloging all the plants is overwhelming. There are also plants listed as toxic to goats that Ive seen goats eat without any issues. Where do I start? I also know that the goats can't live on weeds alone. They will be supplemented with goat pellets and hay. For starters we have curly doc, wild carrot( not wild parsip), some kind of pokeweed, bindweed, black locust and osafe orange/ hedge sapplings, sumac, buckeye, goathead burrs...thats a good chunk of what has taken over.
Questions on acceptable goat browse
- Thread starter rittert3
- Start date
greybeard
Herd Master
What is the property owner's long term goal for the property?
Personally, I would start with a property wide soil sample and make sure the pH is correct for the forage (grasses) the owner has in mind, whether native blue stem grasses or something new. Make the soil right and a lot of the weed problem will disappear--then put the goats on it.
Mowing weeds is like mowing a lawn--they'll come right back, and grazing weeds is not a whole lot different than mowing.
As far as toxicity in the growth that is there, someone with goat knowledge will have to answer that.
Personally, I would start with a property wide soil sample and make sure the pH is correct for the forage (grasses) the owner has in mind, whether native blue stem grasses or something new. Make the soil right and a lot of the weed problem will disappear--then put the goats on it.
Mowing weeds is like mowing a lawn--they'll come right back, and grazing weeds is not a whole lot different than mowing.
As far as toxicity in the growth that is there, someone with goat knowledge will have to answer that.
babsbag
Herd Master
Goats aren't grazers so they will not be thrilled with your weed selection. Boers or Spanish goats will eat more weeds than dairy goats.
Wild carrot is ok, sumac is ok, bindweed is ok.
Buckeye and black locust are poisonous.
Not sure about the others but pretty sure that pokeweed is on the do not eat list too.
Many toxic plants the goats will ignore unless they are starving, then you will have problems. Just not sure that goats are the right animal for the job.
Wild carrot is ok, sumac is ok, bindweed is ok.
Buckeye and black locust are poisonous.
Not sure about the others but pretty sure that pokeweed is on the do not eat list too.
Many toxic plants the goats will ignore unless they are starving, then you will have problems. Just not sure that goats are the right animal for the job.
- Thread starter
- #4
Most of the weeds, especially the easy spreaders...cockle burrs, goat heads and musk thistle...along with the trees, are being removed by hand. The property was over grazed and I dont think the owner has any long term livestock or property goals...wildlife habitat, some hay ground, and rental pasture. Plans for the goats are feeder bucks 40-60lbs and eventually a small commercial herd of savannah, nubian, spanish cross with some possible boer influance.i think he does plan on reseeding in big bluestem and little bluestem.
- Thread starter
- #5
Also, we have 190 acres here and will never have more than 20 goats on this property. I have a 300sqft barn stall and 5000sqft dry lot laid out. We also plan on using 2- 1/4 acre electric net pens with calf hutches for intensive rotation.
babsbag
Herd Master
I bet that the goats will be fine as long as the bad plants aren't all they have to eat. I would remove the ones you can though but there will always be something bad out there.
Greybeard is on the right track! I would first consult with your County Extention and consult with their range/ pasture / soils specialist. I would also consult with your nearest Land Grant University range/ pasture / soils specialist for a much better and more specific information for this property. I would think that chemical warfare is in your future to gain on all of the noctous weed issues then follow up with goats and / or sheep as this reclemation project will take several years.
- Thread starter
- #8
- Thread starter
- #9
Oh ragweed, goldenrod, and milkweed (which we would like to preserve some of for the monarchs that breed here. We also have tomato stalks??? Ive heard of people letting goats clean up gardens in the fall but tomato is a nightshade and listed as toxic...? I had wondered if a deer food plot mix might work for goats, as it is said that they browse in a very similar manor. Oddly the only plants we have listed as noxious are bindweed and musk thissle but they arent out of control. There's also some johnson grass along the 3 acre bean patch across the road. It belongs with this parcel but a neighbor farms it and it was just left undesputed.
babsbag
Herd Master
Milkweed is not good for goats.
