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Using Goats, Not Chemicals, to Kill Weeds
Bend Bulletin ^ | March 15. 2010 | Kimberly Bowker

Posted on 03/16/2010 12:53:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway

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Doug Muck has two Akbash dogs, Josie and Mary, and a Great Pyrenees (not shown) that protect Lariat Ranch's goats from coyotes, cougars and other predators.

1 posted on 03/16/2010 12:53:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

But animal farts are killing the planet!


2 posted on 03/16/2010 12:55:22 PM PDT by a fool in paradise
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To: a fool in paradise

Goat poop is chemicals.....


3 posted on 03/16/2010 12:56:13 PM PDT by Sacajaweau (What)
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To: nickcarraway

They are like gubmint workers.They generate work to justify their jobs.The goats eat the weeds and crap everywhere thus fertilizing the growth of new weeds.See how that works.


4 posted on 03/16/2010 12:58:54 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life is tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: nickcarraway

Nice dogs.

I have a friend in MN who lives in an underground house. Most of the roof is grass. For many years he kept a herd of goats who ate the roof and my friend sold the milk.

I wish that I had a couple of goats, but they are hard to contain. They climb fences and would destroy my vegetable garden, I fear.


5 posted on 03/16/2010 1:00:28 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: nickcarraway

Nice dogs.

I have a friend in MN who lives in an underground house. Most of the roof is grass. For many years he kept a herd of goats who ate the roof and my friend sold the milk.

I wish that I had a couple of goats, but they are hard to contain. They climb fences and would destroy my vegetable garden, I fear.


6 posted on 03/16/2010 1:00:29 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: imahawk

So are the goats pinned in just where the weeds are located? Is that how they direct them to only fill up on weeds and not other vegetation?

What about free range goats?


7 posted on 03/16/2010 1:01:33 PM PDT by a fool in paradise
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To: nickcarraway

Its a darn good idea! Besides that Bar-B-Que goat is the best there is!


8 posted on 03/16/2010 1:01:47 PM PDT by flash2368
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To: imahawk
You were saying ...

The goats eat the weeds and crap everywhere thus fertilizing the growth of new weeds.See how that works.

Well, I would say it works exatly the way that God intended it to work. God made plants, He made them to grow. God made animals and certain ones eat the plants. Plants grow again, animals eat more. Everyone is happy... LOL ...

It sounds like a plan to me...

9 posted on 03/16/2010 1:02:17 PM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: nickcarraway
We have a noxious weed in our ‘subdivision’ (lots range from 1 to 8 acres) - leafy spurge.

It can't be effectively controlled with chemicals.

I have fleas on mine and they are doing a great job.

One neighbor petitioned for the use of goats (our covenants do not allow goats) for 30 days. They did a good job, but had to be brought in every night so the bobcats would not eat them.

10 posted on 03/16/2010 1:05:12 PM PDT by Leo Farnsworth (I'm really not Leo Farnsworth.)
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To: nickcarraway
They have been doing this for years in the hills of my town here in the SF bay region. Believe it or not, a fair number of people are opposed to this because of the "noise" that is created.

The goats can usually clear an area in 2-3 days and are rounded up each evening.

Some people just look for opportunities to complain.

11 posted on 03/16/2010 1:05:37 PM PDT by Michael.SF. (At least Hitler got the Olympics for Germany)
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To: Leo Farnsworth

They also love to eat (like candy) poison ivy. They are immune to the toxins.


12 posted on 03/16/2010 1:08:52 PM PDT by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the occupation media.)
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To: Star Traveler

My dad was the first eco friendly shop owner here in town with his two goats.The city would raise hell with him and he had a running battle that he eventually won.The city got tired of him showing up at city meetings and raising hell so they called a truce.The goats also loved lucky strike cigs.


13 posted on 03/16/2010 1:10:13 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life is tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Had a Pygmy goat for a while to keep the weeds knocked down. Obnoxious, smelly, gas passing pain in the butt. He did have a good personality though. If you made the mistake of bending over near him you were going to the ground. and then he would stand over you and smile.
14 posted on 03/16/2010 1:12:30 PM PDT by mad_as_he$$
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To: imahawk

LOL... those goats will eat anything... :-)


15 posted on 03/16/2010 1:13:00 PM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: nickcarraway

My Homeowners Assoc. brought in goats to clear the firebreak around the perimeter of the houses. It worked for the most part and cost about as much as hiring people to do it. The sheperds set up temporary fencing and moved it as the goats cleared each area. The herding dog was really cool to watch.

The good part is that the work got done and the neighborhood kids had a little petting zoo for a week or so.

The bad part was that the goats did not clear the weeds as far down as mechanical clearing does. They left a lot of material.


16 posted on 03/16/2010 1:13:03 PM PDT by Owl558 ("Those who remember George Satayana are doomed to repeat him")
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To: mad_as_he$$

Heck, my Golden Retriever has done that to both me and my husband (knocked us down and smiled.) We love him anyway.


17 posted on 03/16/2010 1:15:24 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: nickcarraway

The problem with goats is that they don’t limit themselves to the weeds. I had a pet goat when I was young, and it destroyed every bush in my parents yard. Didn’t eat cobras, though, and eventually one got him.

Do they eat kudzu, though?


18 posted on 03/16/2010 1:22:39 PM PDT by chesley (Lib arguments are neither factual, logical, rational, nor reasonable. They are, however, creative.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

My goats have never climbed a fence. Goats will, every time, exploit weaknesses in their enclosure, but if you have a solid fence and keep it maintained, the goats are not difficult to contain. It also helps that they have adequate food and something to jump around on to entertain themselves. A bored, hungry goat will look for something to get into and who could blame him/her? My goats have been out without permission only once in several years, and it was my fault because of a flaw in joining a corner of fencing. We stacked up some old concrete culverts into a pyramid that the goats climb and play king of the hill. Not only does it provide entertainment, jumping around on the concrete helps keep their hooves trimmed.


19 posted on 03/16/2010 1:25:28 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: chesley

Mine love kudzu. Vicksburg is covered in the stuff and every time we have occasion to drive there, we will bring home a vine or two as a treat. Goats are one of the only ways you can control kudzu.


20 posted on 03/16/2010 1:29:15 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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