The Original Weed Trimming Machine
Like many grazing animals, goats will eat grass, but what they most crave is the weedy, brushy stuff that people don’t want around. Farmers, utility companies, neighborhoods, and even junkyard owners use goats to get rid of unwanted vegetation, without the need for chemicals like herbicides. There are even companies that rent out herds of goats for people in need of the bearded brush-clearing bleaters.
You can rent a goat for that yard chore, but a rhyming goat will cost you more.
When you look, you see.
You’ll want to read Copper’s Distract Fact on smelly goats for some tips on where to find goats in general, but what if you want to see some goatscaping in action? You could certainly rent some goats to cut your grass, but you’ll have to cut them in on a share of your allowance. You could also buy a few goats and start your own goat mowing business, but that is definitely something you’ll want to run by your parents first.
There are lots of cities, businesses, and individuals who are putting goats to work as an alternative to chemical weed control and a more environmentally friendly mowing option. I can’t guarantee you’ll see goats on the job near you, but keep your eyes open and meh-eh-eh-be you’ll get lucky. Sorry, I had to do it. 😁
All sorts of stuff, these goats can do. The links below will prove it too.
Below are just a few links to articles describing some of the valuable work goats are doing in communities all over the United States and beyond.
Kids, remember to ask a parent, teacher, or librarian for help whenever you are looking for books or using the Internet. I always try to make sure to share kid-friendly books and resources, but websites are changing all the time, so always check with an adult first.
- Here is a great article and video from my alma mater, Clemson University, about the use of goats at the university to help control the spread of invasive plants around the campus. https://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/clemson-goats-say-goodbye-with-full-bellies-and-a-job-well-done/
- Did you know goats are professional firefighters as well? National wildlife refuges in California use goats to clear excess vegetation which helps to prevent the risk of wildfires. You can read a little more on the use of goats at wildlife refuges at https://www.fws.gov/fire/news/ca/goats.shtml and https://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/GoatsMNV.html.
- Ram isn’t the only goat who likes to help other animals. In Carroll County, Maryland, goats were brought in to chow down on vegetation which was hogging up habitat for North America’s smallest turtle, a threatened species called the bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii). It sounds like those goats might be good candidates for the FLOCC as well. For more on those helpful goats, you can check out this article: https://www.fws.gov/endangered/news/bulletin-spring2009/hungry-goats-restore-bog-turtle-habitat.html
- Goats are even helping improve water quality in some cities. How? By teaming up with llamas of course. https://www.maplevalleywa.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1607/27