The local Galloping Goat Pumpkin Patch was hired to use their goats in the northern section of the Willow Creek Rio Rancho Bosque area for non-native species (Kocia weed) removal.
The goats will begin their work on Sept. 27 and could be used for four weeks.
Galloping Goat says it’s a more ‘green’ approach to clearing weeds. They say a natural removal can even be beneficial in the long-run.
According to The Gardening Channel, brush-clearing goats can convert unwanted plants into valuable milk, meat and manure. So the goats benefit, too.
Because of their strong teeth and stomachs, they can get at weeds that are invasive to remove.
“But they will eat everything in their path so for an area to be completely cleared, bring in the goats. If you want some plants saved and others cleared away, be sure to surround the plants you want with goat-proof protection. Goats will eat tough and thorny weeds that you wouldn’t want to pull by hand,” the channel says.
This method is used across the country, though. People can even Rent A Goat online to de-weed their back yard.
Rent A Goat uses goats to get rid of weeds.By Michaela Helean
These are the benefits of using goats instead of pesticides according to the Natural Resources Conservation Act:
• Reduced need for chemical herbicide use
• Savings on herbicide costs
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• Potential of decreasing fuel and machinery use
• Reduced on- and off-farm environmental risks
• Improved use of the land overrun by undesirable plants
• Improved productivity of pastures
• Goats may provide opportunities for additional secondary farm income, in addition to controlling pests, through production of products for wholesale/retail markets
