The goats fighting America's plant invasion (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Joanna Jolly
BBC News, Washington

Each country has its own invasive species and rampant plants with a tendency to grow out of control. In most, the techniques for dealing with them are similar - a mixture of powerful chemicals and diggers. But in the US a new weapon has joined the armoury in recent years - the goat.

In a field just outside Washington, Andy, a tall goat with long, floppy ears, nuzzles up to his owner, Brian Knox.

Standing with Andy are another 70 or so goats, some basking in the low winter sun, and others huddled together around bales of hay.

This is holiday time - a chance for the goats to rest and give birth before they start work again in the spring.

Originally bought to be butchered - goat meat is increasingly popular in the US - these animals had a lucky escape when Knox and his business partner discovered they had hidden skills.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30583512




Ironic, given the damage that goats have done in the Mediterranean.

[truebluegreen]

1. And they eat kudzu! Wow--that's a bonus.

fwiw, damage done by grazing herds is not limited to goats in the Mediterranean. It pretty much goes with the territory since just about any species, poorly managed, will damage just about any terrain.

[Historic NY]

2. Mu aunts brother had a farm where he put goats & sheep together...

in the worst overgrown unmanageable section of the property, large rocks & swamp ground and over run with brambles. They ate everything, it was amazing to see the results.