Use of goats for sustainable vegetation management in grazing lands

Use of goats for sustainable vegetation management in grazing lands

Summary

The primary project goal is to increase appropriate employment of goats in sustainable vegetation management in grazing lands of the south-central US, with particular emphasis on Native American Nation tribal lands or lands of tribal members. To achieve this goal, six research/demonstration activities will be conducted over a two-year period in cooperation with Caddo, Cherokee, Choctaw, Greater Seminole, Osage, and Sac and Fox Nations. Preparations are currently underway to begin the first year of research/demonstration activities, with grazing to begin in the spring of 2002.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Investigate effects of various goat management methods for vegetation rehabilitation/control in different grazing land settings in the south-central US.

   Demonstrate and display appropriate means of vegetation management with goats in south-central US grazing lands, as well as to provide education in other related management areas.

   Develop an information package on optimal use of goats for grazing land vegetation management to ensure long-term, sustainable, and widespread project impact.

Accomplishments/Milestones

An additional cooperating Native American Nation was added soon after the project was initiated (i.e., Caddo Nation). Materials and supplies for pasture setup have been received. Perimeter fences have been installed and interior fence lines cleared at most sites. A class of Gracemont High School participated by learning GPS technology to map locations of fence lines of the Caddo Nation site. Most multi-media educational and GPS supplies have been received. Interior fences and water systems will be completed in the winter/spring of 2002. Goats for the first year of grazing have been selected. Initial vegetation measures will be conducted a few weeks before goats are introduced, which is scheduled for late spring (e.g., late April, June). The first and second years of grazing, along with the accompanying demonstration/educational activities, will be performed.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The end-result of this project will be the establishment and increased prevalence of safe, economical, and sustainable grazing management systems based on farm integration of goats for increased profits, elevated food supplies, enhanced long-term land productivity, and preservation or restoration of native plant species and biodiversity.

Collaborators: