Meat Goats as Vegetation Control Agents
Meat goats can be successfully used in extensive grazing systems to control annoying vegetation, eliminate brush that feeds fires, restore pasture quality as well as to produce meat for the market. Selection and management of goats as biological agents to control weeds is different than those practices focused on meat production only. As vegetation control agents, animals are managed intensively using high stocking rates to overgraze an area; in this system the elimination of unwanted weeds surpasses weight gains in importance. The elimination of brush and weeds reduces competition for soil nutrients and moisture, and over time, improves the carrying capacity of pastures. Animals selected for this purpose are usually wethers and are trained at a young age. Use of production animals for this purpose may reduce kidding rates or kid weaning weights. However, in certain cases, these negative outcomes may be outweighed by favorable environmental benefits (pasture restoration, fire fuel load reduction, and reduction/elimination of herbicides or mechanical tools used).
Impact of Goat Operations
Goats are meant to be browsers and then grazers. Raising goats in confinement or in a feedlot is not advisable and, if practiced, must be under intensive management and specialized housing. However, as for any other livestock, goats can be raised in feedlots and all the USDA and EPA regulations regarding feedlot operations must be followed. Humane treatment of animals should be practiced and animals should be provided proper space, feed and water. Extreme caution must be placed on aggressive and dominant/submissive behaviors. Proper feeding management, including adequate and regular feeding, trace mineral feeding, and parasite control must be practiced.
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) (more than 1000 animal units) that confine animals for at least 45 days in a year and do not provide grass or other growing vegetation to animals, must apply for a permit from the EPA. When animals are concentrated in an area with no access to pasture or other vegetation, there is a problem of soil, water or environmental pollution. Under the Clean Water Act, CAFOs are considered as point source dischargers. If a facility discharges pollutants without having a permit, or has a permit but does not meet the requirement, it is violating the Clean Water Act and the owner/s is/are subject to enforcement and penalties by EPA.
Common pollutants of CAFOs are nitrogen, phosphorus, metals and antibiotics that can contaminate the environment through spill, runoff or overflow and present a health hazard to humans. Therefore, these nutrients and additives are monitored and must be managed properly to reduce surface water contamination.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits regulations for CAFOs. The NPDES program was created to protect and improve water quality by regulating point source dischargers.You may obtain the federal guidelines from the EPA website (www.epa.gov); however, your state, county or municipality may have separate guidelines.
