Weed eaters: Goats bred as groundskeepers catch on in B.C.

[oneh2obabe]

The relentless weed whackers in Kamloops, B.C., are swinging into gear for a second season: 400 hungry goats.

The goats are part of the only herd in Canada bred for weed control, a fact that puzzles herd owners Conrad and Donna Lindblom.

“I don’t know why it’s slow to catch on,” Conrad Lindblom told the Toronto Star from Kamloops, where the herd wintered in a city park.

In the United States, more than 70 goat farmers raise their herds entirely for weed control, particularly as effective and mobile fireguard creators.

“We’re trying to get a couple of other producers started up this year,” said Lindblom. “We’ve been working on this for 14 years, starting with logging companies in northern B.C. and in northern Alberta.”

Most recently, the Lindblom’s 1,000 head Rocky Ridge Vegetation Control herd has worked clearing B. C. Ministry of Transportation gravel pits and on its first urban pilot project in Kamloops.



They started last summer by clearing 300 hectares of weeds in Kenna Cartwright Park.

During the winter, said Lindblom, they’ve been a popular city attraction. Now that spring is here, newborn kids are learning the trade and enchanting local children.

Hiring goats as opposed to using the previous weed-clearing inmates from the Kamloops Regional Correction Centre saved the city $16,000 and proved more efficient. The inmates had been cheaper and safer than pesticides, though, the city said.

The self-propelled furry weed army has moved on now to the 2.5-metre thistle at the city’s 80-hectare Tournament Capital Ranch, which houses eight slo-pitch fields and two rugby fields.

“It’s unbelievable how much thistle they’re removed. It’s very nutritious and they really like it.”

Goats get a bad rap from the cartoon image that they will eat anything, said Lindblom. They won’t, although they will eat just about any weed and not expel the seeds, unlike other domestic animals.

“They’re browsers, not grazers like cattle. They move around a lot. They socialize differently than cattle. Oh, definitely, they’re easier to handle.”

The Lindblom goats met a lot of unknown weeds when they arrived in Kamloops from northern Alberta but adapted enthusiastically, he said. “They can even eat a percentage of poisonous plants. We’ve never had a problem.”

Donna Lindblom teaches college agriculture courses on multi-species grazing. Since goats will only eat grass if there’s nothing else, and cattle won’t eat sagebrush, a goat favourite, they can happily share the land.

The Lindbloms took up goat farming after years as cattle ranchers. Now that they’re semi-retired, they’re hoping to help the idea take root in Canada.

“There are a lot of goats in Ontario,” he said. “But I’ve only seen where two were used to control weeds at a golf course near Barrie.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources in Ontario told the Star: “Ministry staff are aware of the work in Kamloops, and are following with interest, but are not aware of any use of goats to control weeds in Ontario agriculture.”

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013 ... in_bc.html

[Ken7]

Will the seeds eaten by a goat later germinate? If they will I'd question the effectiveness of this project., more of a job creation.

[Bsuds]

Will the seeds eaten by a goat later germinate? If they will I'd question the effectiveness of this project., more of a job creation.

You didn't read the article did you?

"Goats get a bad rap from the cartoon image that they will eat anything, said Lindblom. They won’t, although they will eat just about any weed and not expel the seeds, unlike other domestic animals."

Apparently they don't.

[Veovis]

This makes goats even better

[grammafreddy]

I like the fainting goats ....

[Veovis]

OK I forgot about the fainting goats. Their funny too.

I remember back home many years ago the town did a fundraiser raffle for a goat. The catch was every ticket you bought you put someone else name on it.

I liked that raffle.

Mainly because I didn't win a goat.

[Bsuds]

Do the goats make as much noise as a leaf blower?

[Gone_Fishin]

Do the goats make as much noise as a leaf blower?

Only the 2-stroke goats. The 4-stroke variety are quieter.

[grammafreddy]

Do the goats make as much noise as a leaf blower?

Only the 2-stroke goats. The 4-stroke variety are quieter.

2-stroke = male?
4-stroke = female?

[Bsuds]

You've got it backwards GF

Female goats are always Bleeting but the Males have more exhaust!

[grammafreddy]

yabutt ... the males have two balls and the females have four teats

[Veovis]

2-stroke = male?

This is most predominant in virgin goats I've heard.

[Bsuds]

yabutt ... the males have two balls and the females have four teats

Yabutt have you seen the size of em balls?

[grammafreddy]

Can we get any farther off topic??

[Ken7]

You didn't read the article did you?

"Goats get a bad rap from the cartoon image that they will eat anything, said Lindblom. They won’t, although they will eat just about any weed and not expel the seeds, unlike other domestic animals."

Apparently they don't.

No you are correct. I watched the video. Thanks!