Grazing Goats with Virtual Fencing in Timbered Landscapes to Control Unwanted Brush While not Impacting the Growth or Mortality of Coniferous Trees

Project Overview

FW24-011
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2024: $25,000.00
Projected End Date: 08/31/2025
Host Institution Award ID: G255-24-WA507
Grant Recipient: Lone Star Ranch Livestock
Region: Western
State: California
Principal Investigator:
Lauren Sizemore
Lone Star Ranch Livestock

Commodities

  • Additional Plants: trees
  • Animals: goats

Practices

  • Animal Production: grazing management
  • Crop Production: agroforestry
  • Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research

    Proposal summary:

    The purpose of this project is to determine whether grazing goats
    in timbered landscapes can control unwanted brush encroachment
    while not having a negative impact on the growth or mortality of
    desired coniferous tree species, primarily Douglas fir and
    Redwood. Additionally, the goats will be confined to the test
    areas using the innovative technology of virtual fencing. The
    desired outcomes are to determine if goats can be utilized to
    reduce the use of herbicides to control unwanted vegetation and
    reduce the use of fossil fuel dependent, high-cost mechanical
    removal of unwanted vegetation.

    The study sites will include the following: 1) Oregon white oak
    and California black oak woodlands with heavy Douglas fir tree
    encroachment, where the fir trees are less than 5 years of age
    (goal: to use goats to eat young Douglas fir trees where firs are
    unwanted); 2) timber ground with redwood trees that are less than
    5 years of age threatened by brush encroachment (goal: to use
    goats to eat brush but not harm young Redwood trees) and 3)
    Douglas fir trees under the age of 5 years and threatened by
    brush encroachment (goal: to use goats to eat brush but not harm
    young Douglas fir trees).

    Through this research, we expect to find that with frequent
    virtual fence moves the goats do not cause significant damage to
    desired Douglas fir and Redwood trees. We also expect that
    low-frequency moves of virtual fencing may result in damage to
    young Douglas fir trees in areas they are not desired. If our
    hypotheses are correct, timberland owners could use goats as an
    ecologically friendly method for treating brush encroachment.

    This project will provide information for producers on the value
    of virtual fencing. This will show reduced time and labor,
    allowing for an efficient and easy method of rotating goats.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    The purpose of this project is to determine whether grazing goats
    in timbered landscapes can control unwanted brush encroachment
    while not having a negative impact on the growth or mortality of
    desired coniferous tree species, primarily Douglas fir and
    Redwood. Additionally, the goats will be confined to the test
    areas using the innovative technology of virtual fencing. The
    desired outcomes are to determine if goats can be utilized to
    reduce the use of herbicides to control unwanted vegetation and
    reduce the use of fossil fuel dependent, high-cost mechanical
    removal of unwanted vegetation.

    The study sites will include the following: 1) Oregon white oak
    and California black oak woodlands with heavy Douglas fir tree
    encroachment, where the fir trees are less than 5 years of age
    (goal: to use goats to eat young Douglas fir trees where firs are
    unwanted); 2) timber ground with redwood trees that are less than
    5 years of age threatened by brush encroachment (goal: to use
    goats to eat brush but not harm young Redwood trees) and 3)
    Douglas fir trees under the age of 5 years and threatened by
    brush encroachment (goal: to use goats to eat brush but not harm
    young Douglas fir trees).

    Through this research, we expect to find that with frequent
    virtual fence moves the goats do not cause significant damage to
    desired Douglas fir and Redwood trees. We also expect that
    low-frequency moves of virtual fencing may result in damage to
    young Douglas fir trees in areas they are not desired. If our
    hypotheses are correct, timberland owners could use goats as an
    ecologically friendly method for treating brush encroachment.

    This project will provide information for producers on the value
    of virtual fencing. This will show reduced time and labor,
    allowing for an efficient and easy method of rotating goats.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.