Use of goats to manage vegetation in cattle pastures in the Appalachian region of North Carolina
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Authors: J. M. Luginbuhl, J. T. Green, Jr., M. H. Poore, and A. P. Conrad
Date: 2000
Journal: Sheep and Goat Research Journal
Volume: 16
Number: 3
Pages: 124-135
Summary of Methods: A field study conducted near Waynesville, North Carolina (35.50° N, 83.00° W) examined if rotationally grazing goats and cattle was effective in management of an overgrown mountain pasture. Sites contained multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and brambles (Rubus spp). Three grazing treatments were tested: cattle grazing alone, cattle grazing with goats and no grazing. Animal numbers and season varied in response to moisture. Herbaceous vegetation was grazed until stubble height was at 5 cm or less. Browsing was measured immediately before and after grazing by tagged plants in each treatment and canopy height, live canopy area, and percent of live canes per total canes. Species composition was determined by 100 x 10 cm permanent plots in each paddock. Percent cover was visually estimated before and after grazing periods.
Article Summary / Main Points:
• Cattle grazing alone and in combination with goats were effective in controlling brambles.
• Goat and cattle grazing were very effective in controlling multiflora rose canopy cover.
• When grazed together multiflora rose canopy cover went from 2.5 down to 0.4 in m2 plots, brambles frequency decreased by over 30% and increasing desirable herbaceous forage species in the pasture.
• Grazing can change the plant composition to a more desirable condition in overgrown mountain pastures. While inclusion of goats with cattle yielded the best control of mulitflora rose.Vegetation Types: Other (includes Forest and Eastern)
MLRA Ecoregions: 130B Southern Blue Ridge
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: browse, cattle, goats, robinia pseudoacacia, rosa multiflora, rubus spp, vegetation management, targeted grazing
Annotation: This study is very relevant and shows that pairing complementary grazers together can be an effective management tool.
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