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USING MEAT GOATS AS A WEED CONTROL COMPONENT IN SILVICULTURE ENTERPRISES

Applied Research

Philip Konopka
VANCEBURG

Abstract

\r\n High input cost for conventional weed control methods encouraged Lewis County farmers to search for weed control alternatives. A study was designed using meat goats as a weed control component in a silviculture study. The impact of goat browsing was investigated on Wingstem, and Virginia Copperleaf . This study ran for 30 days browsing 29 Boer and Boer-cross females on 4 treatments per plots each replicated 3-times in a randomized block design. Each plot (15 ft. x 10 ft.), contained treatments 1-mow plus-browse (MB), 2-browse only (B), 3-mow no-browse (MNB) and control (C). Treatments MNB and C were split-blocks and protected by a welded wire fence exclusion area. Total organic matter (OM) was determined at the study onset and at 60 days following animal removal. Plots were harvest using a BCS sickle mower; and weighted by a hand held digital scale. Harvest area per plot was 3.75 ft. x 10 ft. Reduction in OM by weight was greatest for MB at 29.5%, followed by B showing a reduction of 27.0%, while the C. and MNB treatments showed the least reduction at of 25.7% and 17.7% respectively. Both MB and B had greater reduction than MNB and C. Small difference between OM treatments resulted from non-target succession plant regrowth. Wingstem plant stands were reduced by 38% and 23% while there was a 6% increase in the exclusion treatments. Meat goat browsing appears to be a viable component in a total weed control programs.

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: P. R. Konopka, T. Hutchens, K. Ph.D. Andries, I Singer
  1. Konopka, P. Lewis County Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent, University of Kentucky, Kentucky, 41179
  2. Hutchens, T. Animal Science Specialist, Kentucky State University, Kentucky, 40601
  3. Andries, K. Animal Science Specialist, Kentucky State University, Kentucky, 40601
  4. Singer, I. Summer Intern, University of Kentucky, Kentucky, 41179