The goat patrol

[Catherine]

The City of Calgary has come up with a creative and healthy solution to invasive weeds. It is safer than herbicides and half the price.
A herd of goats will be doing the job.

http://news.google.ca/news/url?sr=1&ct2=...t=1&at=dt0

This is just a pilot project, but if it works then the goats could work their way around the city munching on problem plants.

It is a super solution and the goats do look happy.

[SummarDaz]

What a great idea, so much better than using pesticide

[Catherine]

It is cheaper too and a renewable resource. After a good night's sleep the goats are ready to munch weeds somewhere else.

[AnimalFamily]

This practice is being used in the U.S. in places.
It is a wonderful idea.
I would love to get my goats in on that deal.
The pasture my goats are in used to look like a jungle, full of brush and all.
Now it looks like a park.
I am always getting comments on how it is the prettiest part of the property.

[Catherine]

It would be good if you could "rent" your goats for weed clearing duties.  All they can eat and you get paid too! How great is that.

So, no more problems with Beef Steak Plant?

[Tobi]

What a brilliant idea! Goats do seem to eat anything, which is amazing. I am really surprised that some plants aren't toxic for them...(?) But they seem to be able to munch their way through all sorts.
It's a good idea so the Goats get free dinner. So why not hire them out? It is indeed better than herbicide like Roundup.

[Catherine]

I am finding reports of goats for weed control from different places. They can get at hard to reach places and they don't take breaks. They just keep munching all day long.

I am sure there are lots of green solutions for pest control and I hope there are some local jobs for Animal Families goats.

[AnimalFamily]

Ironically, goats are somewhat particular about what they eat.
At least mine are, lol.
Yes we do still have the Beefsteak problem.
However it is a little better this year but not by much.
Our neighbor says he has a herbicide that is safe for goats. We are pondering the idea but will need to do more research on the matter.
We have never used chemicals here and I really don't want to start now, but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.
We have been battling this for years now and if it's not gotten under control soon there will be nothing left for our goats to eat.

[Catherine]

That is bad. The beefsteak plant must choke out the good plants.

It would be great if your goats could arrive to clean up someone's weed problem and feed themselves in the mean time.

Any one in your  area need goats?

[AnimalFamily]

We were just talking about that the other day.
They all like the idea and then they just go back to their chemicals. i guess it's just easier for them.
Sometimes I just don't get the thought processes of some people.