Control of gorse regrowth by Angora goats in the Tasmanian Midlands

Harradine, AR; Jones, A.V.

doi:10.1071/ea9850550

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Goats have been proved capable of completely removing large, dense gorse populations if they are stocked at up to 33 animalslha. This has been demonstrated ( Figure 1) in both the North (99) and South Islands (91) of New Zealand and in Australia (37). If gorse is readily available, goats actually prefer pasture growing in a fertile soil with zero water deficit (89).…”

Section: Pasture and Rangeland Weed Controlmentioning

confidence: 91%

Grazing Animals as Weed Control Agents

1996

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Literature on the effectiveness of grazing animals (especially cattle, goats, and sheep) in controlling weeds is reviewed. Availability of animals and the ability to fence them onto or off weed infestations are essential. Weeds of pastures are the most suitable subjects for control, although weeds of arable crops, forestry, and waste places are sometimes amenable to control by grazing animals. Although grazing animals themselves often cause weed problems in pasture, adjusting grazing timing or intensity or both can sometimes redress the balance. Increasing sheep or cattle stocking rates prevents animals from grazing selectively and can help control some weeds. Adjusting grazing pressure can also improve the growth of desirable pasture species so that these are more competitive and able to resist invasion of annual or biennial weeds. Introducing a different class of stock, like sheep into a cattle system or goats into a sheep system can control many weeds. Goats are capable of browsing on and controlling spiny or poisonous brush weeds, including gorse and poison ivy, without suffering adverse effects. Examples are given of the use of grazing animals for weed control in crops and forestry.

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Section: Pasture and Rangeland Weed Controlmentioning

confidence: 91%

Grazing Animals as Weed Control Agents

1996

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“…The suitability of goats for weed control involves numerous species (Table 2). They are useful to maintain pastures through the control of dock (Rumex obtusifolius) in Japan (Sakanoue et al, 1995), gorse (Ulex europaeus or Ulex gallii) in New Zealand (Radcliffe, 1985), Tasmanian midlands (Harradine and Jones, 1985) or Spain (Sineiro, 1982;Celaya et al, 2007), soft rush (Juncus effusus) in Great Britain (Merchant, 1993), spotted knapweed (Williams and Prather, 2006) and yellow starthistle (Goehring et al, 2010) in Idaho, or for general bush clearing in Texas (Merrill and Taylor, 1981) and California (Adams and Hughes, 1977). They have also been used to control invasive woody plants such as juniper (Juniperus sp.)…”

Section: Weed Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Goat grazing, its interactions with other herbivores and biodiversity conservation issues

García

Celaya

García

et al. 2012

Small Ruminant Research

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a b s t r a c tGoats have developed in harmony with local conditions of climate, terrain, vegetation, and even pathogens over centuries in many areas, while they have been blamed of causing environment degradation in other ones. The paper summarizes the situation of goat's population worldwide, the status of the breeds and the multiple implications of their conservation, the interactions of goats with other animal species (wild or domestic) and the main issues regarding the consequences of goat grazing from the environmental point of view. It underlines that most of the environmentally harmful effects of goat grazing arise from improper management practices at very high grazing pressures whereas goat grazing can be a useful tool for conservation if managed adequately. Moderate grazing pressures can be compatible with high levels of biodiversity and provide externalities, whereas high intensity at short term can be a valuable tool for weed control. Goat genetic heritage is seriously threatened and requires more studies and greater support from national and international institutions, in parallel with other efforts in rural development, especially for remote areas which hold an outstanding reservoir of livestock diversity adapted to the local conditions and managed by impoverished communities. A multidisciplinary approach of scientists, policy makers, rangeland managers and local communities is required for the design of future sustainable management plans.

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“…Heavy goat browsing of gambel oak (Q. gambelii) removed current year's growth in Utah (54) and in Colorado (55). Goats have been effective in converting brush-covered abandoned farmland to productive pastures in New England (56), and in controlling gorse (Ulex europaeus), the major scrubweed in productive pastures in New Zealand and Australia (57,58). Sheep may also be effective in reducing brush and understory plant growth in coastal Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzieii) plantations; the reduced competition resulted in more rapid growth of commercial trees (59).…”

Section: Livestock As Biological Control Agents For Weedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Control of Rangeland Weeds

Quimby¹,

Bruckart²,

DeLoach³

et al. 2021

Noxious Range Weeds

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Weedy forbs and brush cost America's range managers at least $1.7 billion/year. Biological controls, or "the planned use of living organisms to reduce the vigor, reproductive capacity, density, or effect of weeds," should be considered and included in pragmatic integrated weed management systems for rangelands. Various approaches to biocontrol under that definition are discussed. These include foreign exploration and introduction of exotic insects, notes, and plant pathogens as biocontrol agents; augmentation of native biocontrol agents, especially plant pathogens; grazing systems; and positive and aversion conditioning for various classes of livestock to use against troublesome weeds or brush or to avoid palatable poisonous weeds. USDA's Agricultural Research Service has at least nine laboratories, worldwide, devoted to research on various aspects of biocontrol of exotic and native rangeland weeds. The usual goal of biocontrol is to improve ecological systems by using biotic agents to restore target plant species to lesser competitive intensities or to negate their effects so that they do not overwhelm plant communities or cause damage to livestock. The usual results of biocontrol are: improved agricultural production, improved ecosystem functions and status in terms of species richness and diversity of plant and animal communities, and improved protection of rare species. Regardless of whether target weeds are introduced or native, researchers must make balanced evaluations of risks, benefits, and the potential for success in developing biological control programs.

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Control of gorse regrowth by Angora goats in the Tasmanian Midlands

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Grazing Animals as Weed Control Agents

Grazing Animals as Weed Control Agents

Goat grazing, its interactions with other herbivores and biodiversity conservation issues

Biological Control of Rangeland Weeds

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