Theme 25: Dynamics of Land Use in Grasslands
Description
Field studies were initiated in an abandoned, overgrown 8.4 ha orchard left untouched for 15 years to evaluate the effectiveness of using goats (Capra hircus hircus) to manage undesirable vegetation. Goats alone (G: 30 does/ha) or cattle (Bos taurus) with goats (GC:17 does/ha and 3 steers/ha) were mob-grazed twice a year during four grazing seasons. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb.) canopy area decreased from 12 to 2.5 m2 in grazed pastures and multiflora rose live canes were 100% in the control, 0% in G, and only 8% in GC at the completion of the study. Following two years of rest, cattle alone (C: 6 steers) or goats + cattle (GC: 9 goats and 6 steers) were rotationally grazed on the same site. Over four grazing seasons, brambles (Rubus spp.) and honeysuckle (Locifera japonica) vines were practically eliminated from grazed pastures. Multiflora rose bushes grew to a height of 1.8 m in C, but were kept low (avg .6 m) in GC (P < 0.01). Similarly, multiflora rose canopy area was well controlled in GC (avg .5 m2), but increased to 7 m2 in C (P < 0.03). Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees were browsed by goats and cattle and were practically eliminated from grazed pastures. Integrating goats into mountain grazing systems is a useful and environmentally-friendly management tool to keep these pastures in production.
Included in
Goats to Control the Encroachment of Undesirable Brush and Woody Species in Cattle Pastures
Field studies were initiated in an abandoned, overgrown 8.4 ha orchard left untouched for 15 years to evaluate the effectiveness of using goats (Capra hircus hircus) to manage undesirable vegetation. Goats alone (G: 30 does/ha) or cattle (Bos taurus) with goats (GC:17 does/ha and 3 steers/ha) were mob-grazed twice a year during four grazing seasons. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb.) canopy area decreased from 12 to 2.5 m2 in grazed pastures and multiflora rose live canes were 100% in the control, 0% in G, and only 8% in GC at the completion of the study. Following two years of rest, cattle alone (C: 6 steers) or goats + cattle (GC: 9 goats and 6 steers) were rotationally grazed on the same site. Over four grazing seasons, brambles (Rubus spp.) and honeysuckle (Locifera japonica) vines were practically eliminated from grazed pastures. Multiflora rose bushes grew to a height of 1.8 m in C, but were kept low (avg .6 m) in GC (P < 0.01). Similarly, multiflora rose canopy area was well controlled in GC (avg .5 m2), but increased to 7 m2 in C (P < 0.03). Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees were browsed by goats and cattle and were practically eliminated from grazed pastures. Integrating goats into mountain grazing systems is a useful and environmentally-friendly management tool to keep these pastures in production.
