Goats, Sheep Help Manage Weeds on Western Rangeland

A growing number of Western land managers are finding that goats and sheep can manage weeds on rangeland more effectively than just cattle. A SARE-funded study in Washington State – run by Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) Extension and the Big Bend Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), among other agencies is backing up those findings with solid research.

In East Richland, Wash., on one of two eastern Washington ranches being evaluated as part of a multi-species grazing study, scientists are monitoring impacts of sending 80 goats and 40 hair sheep to graze on Russian olive, bulrush, perennial pepperweed and other weedy forbs. Data from the first season has found that following cattle with goats was effective in managing Russian olive and that a cattle-goats-cattle rotation could control bulrush.

The project – a partnership between farmers, landowners, Extension, NRCS range conservationists, and the RC&D – takes place on two ranches solicited by Andrea Mann, coordinator of the Big Bend Resource Conservation and Development Council. After attending multi-species grazing workshops as part of a SARE professional development project, Mann became excited by the potential of sheep and goats to manage weeds and rejuvenate the Western range – both uplands and wetlands. With a Washington State University Extension specialist and USDA-Agricultural Research Service scientist, Mann applied for a SARE research & education grant to test the ability of diverse herds and flocks to control unwanted range vegetation in the Big Bend area.

“One of the objectives of the SARE professional development project was to initiate a project on the ground,” Mann said. “There were a few properties in Washington I thought would benefit greatly from weed control.”

Beyond determining the most appropriate livestock species to be used at different stages of growth for each noxious weed, the study also will research forage quality and animal nutrition needs; livestock management including treatment of foot ailments; and rangeland management.

Researchers identified a grazing strategy with strong potential to rejuvenate wetlands. They sent a herd of goats and flock of sheep after cattle to manage bulrush and create more open-water habitat in the wetlands area. NRCS staff conducted vegetation inventories and developed grazing plans.

The researchers found timing to be crucial, as bulrush palatability drops when it turns brown in late summer. Yet, early grazing proved effective. The sheep and goats grazed six- to eight-feet tall bulrush down to one or two feet. At that size, the cattle that followed more readily grazed the bulrush. The area then became dry enough for tractor-mowing, which researchers expect will stimulate better, more palatable forages in the spring.

“The manager feels that cattle and goats will really like those fresh sprigs coming up and they will be able to keep that more open,” Mann said. Completing the cycle, the improved wetlands quality will draw wildlife.

The project has an unexpected public impact. The owner of the second property in the study – Hercules Ranch on Sprague Lake near Spokane – sold an easement to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which opened the area to the public. Prior to the study, the WDFW in partnership with RC&D and others had blazed wildlife observation trails and built a public boat launch.

The 575-acre study area was then “placed where people can see what’s going on,” Mann said. “It’s a great place for the public to come and see the trials and talk to the shepherd.”