[ad#125-right]Many communities in the Kootenays face massive problems with invasive weed species, particularly along rural road shoulders and on the fringes of urban development. A recent article by CBC describes a study lauding the benefits of goats in combating this problem – which is likely to get worse with climate change.
The study, led by University of Northern British Columbia professor Annie Booth, tracked the eating habits of goats for two summers in Prince George. The study found the goats effectively cleared properties of hearty weeds including thistle, hawk weed, dandelion and horsetails.
“As soon as we unloaded them, they turned around and started eating dandelions,” Booth said. “They do their job — which is clear up and clean out the weeds here.”
“We were very pleased to discover that goats do provide a very effective form of weed control, particularly for some tricky weeds that are difficult to eradicate even with the use of herbicides.”
Goats were a domesticated animal before dogs – yet with the rise in industrial farming, the concept of keeping a goat or two has fallen out of favour, despite their usefulness in vegetation management, natural fertilizer, milk and meat production.
A few months ago, when I suggested that goats and hens could be beneficial to a community like Castlegar, I was effectively ridiculed by much of Council despite support from many people around the community.
Long term reliance, (or even the planning to rely) on oil-driven solutions for weed and vegetation management, fertilizers and food production is foolish. Communities need to revise their expectations of normality as they attempt to be greener or build sustainability into their systems and structure.
And if you think this is just for rural municipalities, check out the City of Seattle’s program. Should I start a goat petition?