Progress report for FW23-434
Project Information
Along the Nowood River of Wyoming we have a serious issue with non-native and invasive weeds. These have choked out lots of native grass species on the river bottoms and rangeland. We are looking to goats as a holistic way to reduce the weed population and re-introduce/increase the native grass species with seeding. We plan to run 3 test groups, one seeding BEFORE grazing, one seeding AFTER grazing and one test group of grazing alone. Our theory is that positive hoof traffic and manure deposits can help work the seeds into the soil without tillage. This will help reestablish and/or restrengthen native grass species while removing non-native, invasive ones.
We will be grazing with a “take ½, leave ½” philosophy. All 3 test sections will be grazed for the same amount of time, by the same number and types of goats. We will be reseeding with a native blend recommended to us by our local BLM range con. We will be grazing all 3 sections at the same time to equally hit the weeds' life cycles.
We know goats have proven to be great at removing and reducing weeds, but can we also utilize their hoof traffic and manure by seeding at specific times to help reestablish native grasses with better results than grazing alone.
To show that reseeding native grasses, before or after grazing goats helps reduce invasive weeds and reestablish native grasses.
| Mar 2023 | Fence sites and mark sections | Kate Brewster |
| Apr 2023 | Forage Ring Analysis pre-grazing, site 2 | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
| Apr 2023 | Seed site 2, sec 2 | Kate Brewster |
| Apr 2023 | Turn out goats! | Kate Brewster |
| May 2023 | Remove goats! | Kate Brewster |
| May 2023 | Seed site 2, sec 3 | Kate Brewster |
| May 2023 | Forage Ring Analysis post-grazing, site 2 | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
| May 2023 | Forage Ring Analysis pre-grazing, site 1 | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
| May 2023 | Seed site 1, sec 2 | Kate Brewster |
| May 2023 | Turn Out Goats! | Kate Brewster |
| June 2023 | Remove Goats | Kate Brewster |
| June 2023 | Seed site 1 sec, 3 | Kate Brewster |
| June 2023 | Forage Ring Analysis post-grazing, site 1 | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
| July 2023 | Field Day w/Ag Ladies Group! | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
| TBD | Ten Sleep FFA Presentation | Kate Brewster |
| Sept 2023 | Forage Ring Analysis post-grazing, 4 months site 2 | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
| Oct 2023 | Forage Ring Analysis post-grazing, 4 months site 1 | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
| 2024 | Forage Ring Analysis post-grazing, 4 months site 2 | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
| 2024 | Forage Ring Analysis post-grazing, 4 months site 1 | Kate Brewster & Caitlin Youngquist |
Cooperators
- - Producer
- - Technical Advisor
Research
Project Site
There will be 2 project sites consisting of 3 sections. One site will be on River Bottom ground, the other will be on more aired Sage habitat. Both these sites will be within 5 miles of one another, but on two different soil types, containing different "problem weed species' '. All sites will be on property at Brewster Ranch, 1202 RD 47 Ten Sleep, WY 82442.
Research Design
Project site 1 (Riverbottom) will be grazed May/June
Project Site 2 will be grazed as soon as possible in the spring, weather permitting. This site is mostly cheat grass, greasewood and sagebrush and we want to graze it while its still green enough to be palatable for the goats.
Each site will have 3 sections. The sites will be fenced on the exterior and marked with markers to designate 3 equal sections. All 3 sections will be grazed simultaneously by the same goats to ensure equal comparison. The goats will be kidding in May/June on site 1. There will be a guard dog with them. We will be grazing with a take 1/2 leave 1/2 mentality and will be removing goats from the section when it is grazed to that extent. No other animals will be grazing on these sections after the goats have been removed. These sections will remain un-grazed for 12+ months after the goats have been pulled.
Section 1 will be the control section and having goats graze it with no other inputs.
Section 2 will be seeded 1 week before goats get turned out.
Section 3 will be seeded 1 week after goats are removed from grazing.
Each section we will use a forage ring BEFORE and AFTER grazing to determine the plant species present and the approx. forage tonnage. We will also measure with the ring 7 months, and 12-14 months after grazing. This will show which native grasses successfully regrew and established in the grazing zones. This will also show the impact on native cool season grasses as well, if grazing these invasive weeds allows for the native grasses to grow stronger.
Tools & Materials
We will be using/needing:
- electric fencing
- water tanks
- mineral feeders
- forage ring
- shelter for goats
We will need to provide goats with shelter from spring rains, wind and potential snow because goats are very susceptible to illness and issues from cold. We own a side by side and small Toyota pickups and plan to fill water tanks by hauling 5 gallon buckets of water in the side by side or Toyotas.
Success!
We will measure our success by evaluating a few things. We will measure this by field measurements for approx. forage tonnage, forage ring and visual/photo analysis.
- How many invasive or non-native weed species did we remove from the sections?
- How much did we increase our native grasses in each section?
- How much did we improve the forage tonnage in each section?
- Which did hoof traffic and manure have the most positive impact on?
- grazing alone
- grazing before planting native seed
- grazing after planting native seed
Innovative Approach
Our theory is that air-seeding or drilling native seeds into an area before grazing will allow the goats to help work the seed into the soil, fertilize it and remove weed species from its competition. We think this is going to be the most productive section out of the 3. We think this could be very helpful to farmers/ranchers trying to repair range habitat and restore native grasses. This would allow them ways to restore these grasses in a quicker more productive manner, that is more cost effective and still allows for grazing so they're able to maintain profitability while restoring an area. Ultimately increasing native forage, forage yield and long-term profitability. We haven't seen any other projects showcasing the ability to essentially have goats ``assist in the planting" while working on removing invasive weeds.
Research Outcomes
IMG_7281 
Application of Results to Sustainable Agriculture in the Western U.S.
Due to personal reasons and the need for additional livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) to ensure the safety of our goats amidst high predator pressure, we extended the timeline for this project. While we are continuing with more extensive trials, our initial findings from a small test site are currently inconclusive but promising. Despite the limited scope so far, we have identified key practices that show potential for effective, sustainable weed management and native grass restoration in the Western U.S.:
1. Goat Grazing for Weed Reduction
Our initial findings show that goats excel at targeting specific types of invasive vegetation, particularly broadleaf species, bushes, trees, and shrubs. They demonstrated a clear preference for certain plants, which makes them a versatile tool for weed management in a variety of environments.
A notable success of the project was the goats’ effectiveness in grazing on Russian olive trees. The goats readily stripped the leaves, bark, and smaller branches, and in some cases, they caused the trees to die off entirely. Their enthusiasm for Russian olive was remarkable, making them a promising solution for controlling this invasive species.
In addition to Russian olive, the goats consistently favored other invasive plants such as wild licorice, purple garlic, and bindweed throughout the grazing season. These plants were targeted and grazed effectively regardless of the time of year, which helped reduce their competitive impact on native grasses.
However, the goats’ preference for certain weed species varied by season. For example, they consumed pigweed readily in the spring and again after freezing temperatures in the fall, but largely avoided it during the summer months when the plant became too mature and unpalatable. This indicates that the palatability of some weeds is highly dependent on their growth stage and the time of year.
Given these observations, we believe a highly effective strategy is to time grazing sessions to target specific weed species when the goats are most likely to eat them. For instance, targeting pigweed infestations in the early spring or post-frost in the fall can maximize the effectiveness of goat grazing. This seasonally targeted approach can enhance the overall impact of weed reduction and improve the success rate of restoring native grasses.
In summary, goats are an excellent tool for controlling invasive broadleaf species, shrubs, and trees, with significant success observed on Russian olive. Their grazing preferences offer an opportunity to develop season-specific plans for targeting problem weeds, improving both short-term weed control and long-term habitat restoration.
-
Strategic Seeding Timing:
We are still testing the effects of seeding before versus after grazing. Our initial small-scale trials did not show immediately obvious differences between these methods. However, we are finding that aligning seeding times with the optimal growing conditions for the perennial species being planted is critical for maximizing seed establishment rates. Regardless of timing, goat grazing has proven helpful in reducing weed competition, which improves the conditions for native seed success. -
Targeted Weed Patches:
Instead of broad-scale applications, using goats to graze specific, dense patches of invasive weeds followed by direct seeding of perennials suited for that season shows promise. This approach helps native grasses gain a foothold by removing competition and enhancing soil conditions through goat hoof traffic and manure deposition.
Future Directions for Research:
- Further Trials: Continued research on larger sites and across different seasons will help clarify the optimal seeding strategies and grazing practices.
- Species-Specific Strategies: Developing grazing plans focused on specific weed species and identifying the best seasonal windows for grazing and seeding will likely improve outcomes.
- Guardian Animal Management: Assessing the integration of LGDs and other predator deterrents is essential for expanding goat grazing projects safely and effectively.
By addressing these aspects, we aim to refine our methods and contribute to practical, sustainable solutions for invasive weed management and native grass restoration across the Western U.S.
Education and Outreach
Participation Summary:
Education and Outreach
While our formal education and outreach activities have not yet taken place due to the project extension, we have already received significant interest and engagement from local ranchers and community members. The decision to delay the project was influenced by the need for additional livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) to ensure the safety of our goats, as well as personal reasons. However, despite this delay, informal outreach has been ongoing.
Several individuals and ranchers have visited Brewster Ranch to observe the goats’ progress and learn more about our grazing project. These visitors have been impressed by the effectiveness of the goats in reducing invasive weeds and controlling unwanted vegetation, particularly their impact on broadleaf species and Russian olive trees. This hands-on exposure has sparked interest and positive discussions around the potential for goats as a holistic weed management tool in the region.
Notably, one visiting rancher was so impressed by the results that they offered us a grazing contract to help manage invasive weeds on their own property. This unexpected opportunity highlights the practical value of our approach and suggests that there is strong potential for broader adoption of goat grazing as a sustainable agricultural practice.
As the project continues and we gather more data, we plan to fulfill our education and outreach objectives by sharing our findings through field days, presentations, and digital platforms. The initial interest and positive feedback indicate that this project is on track to provide valuable insights and contribute to sustainable land management practices in the Western U.S.