Weed control using

goats
A guide to using goats for weed control
in pastures
1
Weed control
using goats
A guide to using goats for
weed control in pastures

Contact:
Meat & Livestock Australia
Ph: 1800 023 100

Published by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited

ABN: 39 081 678 364
Reprinted with amendments May 2007
© Meat & Livestock Australia, 1993
ISBN: 1 7403 6248 9

This publication is published by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ABN 39 081
678 364 (MLA). Care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained
in this publication. However MLA cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or
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of the information contained in this publication.
1
contents

Introduction 1
How goats control weeds 1
What type of goat? 1
The goat’s role 2
Pasture management 2
Preparation 3
Weed palatability determines stock ratio 4
Weed palatability 5
Highly palatable weeds 5
Moderately palatable weeds – growth stage 6
Moderately palatable weeds – availability 8
Husbandry 9
Miscellaneous 10
Conclusion 10
Appendix 11
Glossary 15
Peak industry council 16
Breed societies 16
Further reading 16
Introduction along fence lines. Goats will also eat any weeds that
germinated too early or too late to be affected by
Weeds in pasture greatly reduce the short- and herbicides. Similarly, degraded non-arable country
long-term profitability of the pasture. The traditional with woody and other weeds may be reclaimed by
methods of weed control in pastures are cultural, goat grazing.
biological, chemical, mechanical or grazing. Not
all control methods are necessarily effective or
desirable.
Successful pasture management requires an
understanding of the grazing component. Using goats
to control weeds can assist traditional control methods
in providing efficient, sustainable pasture management
when conducted according to best practice.
Further detailed best practice information for existing
goat producers and those considering entering the
goat industry can be found in Going into goats:
Profitable producers’ best practice guide. The Going
into goats guide is a comprehensive publication written
by producers for producers and is available from MLA.
Blackberry controlled by grazing goats.
How goats control weeds
What type of goat?
Goats help control weeds by:
The Australian goat industry consists of meat, fibre and
• preferentially grazing the weed and so placing dairy sectors, all of which can be employed for weed
it at a disadvantage control at various stages of the production cycle.
• preventing the weed from flowering and Specialist meat-producing goats, Boer goats,
dispersing seed rangeland goats and their crosses are most commonly
used for weed control. Fibre-producing Cashmere and
• ringbarking or structurally weakening some Angora goats are also well suited to weed control,
shrub species although care should be taken to avoid fibre
Preferential grazing entanglement and contamination. These are generally
only used off-shears and when the risk of cold stress is
Preferential grazing is an ecological control method
at a minimum. Dairy goats also play a role in weed
based on an animal’s tendency to graze one plant
control at some stages in the production cycle, but this
species in preference to another. Goats tend to
is less common due to the intensive nature of the dairy
preferentially graze many weeds rather than desirable
industry.
pasture species required for sheep and cattle
production, especially clovers. The weed is thus placed
at a competitive disadvantage. Fertiliser application will
further assist this process by encouraging pasture
growth.
All grazing animal species have different dietary
preferences. For example, the pasture composition will
vary between a paddock grazed only by sheep and an
adjacent paddock grazed only by cattle. Goats tend to
preferentially graze many plants considered
unpalatable to sheep and cattle and thus classified as
weeds. This presents the opportunity for goats to be
incorporated in grazing systems as a strategic weed
control tool.
Goats may also be used in conjunction with
conventional weed control methods. They are efficient Feral low grade cashmere or meat-type goats (above) are
browsers and grazers of weeds that may have been recommended for weed control.
missed during spraying and effectively control residual
weeds in rocky outcrops, corners, around trees and

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 weed. From these assessments and knowledge of
‘Rangeland’ refers to goats raised on land where weed palatability (Appendix), a stocking strategy can
the indigenous vegetation is predominantly be devised.
grasses, herbs and shrubs suitable for grazing
and browsing, and where the land is managed as Figure 1 An example of estimating the percentage of weed
cover in a pasture: here, the thistle takes up about 30% of
a natural ecosystem. This includes natural the groundcover.
grasslands, shrublands, deserts and alpine areas.

The goat’s role

The principal role of the goat is to place the weed at a
competitive disadvantage to the surrounding pasture by:
• selectively grazing
• reducing the plant’s stored energy reserves
• trampling and ringbarking
The advantages
• savings in the cost of chemicals, labour, time
and machinery
• sustained and efficient levels of control
• returns from goat products
• environmental (reduced chemical use)
Furthermore, the producer maintains control at all
stages by being able to decrease or increase grazing
pressure depending on prevailing seasonal conditions.
Other control methods do not give the producer the
same level of control.

Pasture management
In most cases it is also important to have a competitive
base pasture to out-compete the weed and colonise
Grazing management
bare areas. Clover is a good choice, as it is not highly Monitor the grazing impact of goats on weeds and
selected by goats, and should be a major component pasture during the period when the weed is most
of the pasture (more than 30%). It is advisable to apply palatable to the goats (Appendix). Ensure there is
fertiliser at the start of the weed control program to sufficient pasture to satisfy the nutrition requirements
give the clover a competitive advantage. The of the animals and to compete effectively with the
application rate will depend on the paddock’s fertiliser targeted weeds.
history and level of soil phosphorus.
Goats tend to eat the immature seed head of most
Assessing pasture and weeds thistles. The presence of mature seed heads after the
first month of flowering indicates that goat stocking
Before you can devise a stocking strategy you need to
rates are too low to achieve control and should be
assess pasture quality and quantity and the degree of
increased. Similarly, all flowering points on other weeds
weed infestation. The degree of weed infestation is
need to be eaten by the goats to achieve weed control
best judged in the weed’s late vegetative stage, before
and prevent fruit and seed production. Stocking rates
flowering. This can be done by estimating the
should be adjusted to achieve this while being careful
percentage groundcover of the weed in a 0.5m x 0.5m
not to overgraze the pasture and deplete groundcover.
square as shown in Figure 1. Repeat the assessment in
about 30 random positions across a paddock to gain Depending on the comparative density of weeds and
an overall impression of weed infestation. For larger pasture, you may need to add pasture seed and
woody weeds, such as blackberry, broom and gorse, fertiliser and adjust the ratio of goats to sheep or
estimate the proportion of paddock taken up by the cattle. Alternatively, if all the seed heads are being

2
eaten, but the pasture is overgrazed, the number of For information on aspects of fencing for goats see
goats may be reduced. If all the seed heads are being Going into goats: Profitable producers’ best practice
eaten but the pasture is not sufficiently grazed, guide.
increase the number of sheep or cattle.
Control of widespread weed infestation
Where the weed infestation is so great that it would
require too many goats to control, other methods may
be employed to bring the weeds to a manageable level
before you introduce the goats. This combining of
weed control practices is called ‘integrated control’ and
may include slashing, cultivation, spraying, pasture
establishment or renovation and cropping. These
methods may be used weeks, months or years before
introducing goats, depending on the situation.
Woody weeds

Nodding thistle in clover. The thistle will be palatable to

In dense infestations of woody weeds such as
goats once it flowers. blackberry, scotch broom or gorse, slash paths through
the infestation to allow greater access for the goats.
Preparation
Any necessary improvements must be made before
goats arrive on a property. These improvements
include water points, fences and yards.
Goats test the lower portion of fences; any drains, low
areas and diagonal stays will need to be covered with
netting or fabricated wire to prevent goats escaping.
Electric fencing is a reliable and inexpensive method of
upgrading existing fences.
As a general rule, any fence that will contain crossbred
ewes will contain goats.
For localised woody weed infestations it may be
best to isolate the infestation with fencing. This has
two benefits: it confines your goats to the infested
area, so that fewer goats may be required for the job of Slash tracks through thick infestations (in this case, scotch
broom) to allow goat access.
controlling the weed; and it preserves the remaining
pasture for your sheep or cattle.

Control or eradicate?
Control is achieved by stopping the annual
replenishment of seed reserves in the soil and
eradication is achieved after the exhaustion or
effective suppression of these seed reserves.
Therefore, the eradication of a weed is dependent
upon several years of continuous control.

As very few of the seeds ingested by goats

remain viable, efficient control of weeds can be
achieved through goats grazing seed heads of
weeds. Eradication is, however, seldom
achieved due to the variable success of control
Fence in dense infestations. By confining the goats it measures year on year.
ensures increased grazing pressure on the weed.

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 ‘Spray-graze’ for broadleaf weed control Weed palatability
The spray-graze technique has three phases: determines stock ratio
1. Broadleaf spraying ‘Set’ or ‘strategic’ stocking?
2. Sheep grazing Knowing how palatability varies at each stage of plant
growth helps determine whether set or flexible stocking
3. Goat grazing rates are required.
Spray-grazing can be used for control of heavy Set stocking with goats for weed control is only
broadleaf weed infestations and is particularly effective advisable when quarantining recently acquired animals
for thistles. The chemical should be applied at the in the first year of a weed control program.
vegetative rosette stage (early winter, with clover at the Quarantining is considered a good management
4-leaf stage) or early stem elongation. Chemical strategy in case the animals are affected by lice, footrot
application and stock introduction should be in or other health problems. Set stocking may also reduce
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations the cost of upgrading fences by limiting the initial
to ensure weed kill and avoid potential chemical development to one paddock.
contamination.
Having been quarantined, goats should be combined
An initial heavy graze with sheep will account for the with other livestock to ensure peak production from
bulk of the vegetative weed material. Goats will then available herbage and to maximise the competitive
account for residual high fibre material, residual seed pressure applied to weeds. Holding paddocks will also
heads, more inaccessible weeds and those that were be required to graze goats during non-peak weed
missed during spraying. Electric fencing may be used control periods.
to increase stocking density in a particular area of
paddock. Examples
Nitrate poisoning may occur with stock grazing Backberry is highly palatable to goats, meaning they
variegated thistle, nodding thistle and Paterson’s curse, will preferentially graze it year-round. This is particularly
and care should be taken if these have been sprayed. the case for spring to autumn when blackberry forms a
large part of their diet. Consequently, goats can be
introduced to blackberry from spring to autumn without
reducing sheep or cattle numbers. In winter, the goats
To achieve effective spray grazing: will continue to eat the blackberry foliage and any light
1. Spray a sub-lethal rate* of herbicide (MCPA canes, but as the foliage diminishes the goats will start
or 2,4-D Amine). to compete with sheep or cattle for the available
grasses and, to a lesser extent, the clovers.
2. Withhold stock according to labelling
directions then graze the wilted leaf heavily The common thistle is an example of a weed that is not
with sheep for one week. Livestock will eaten year-round. In a pasture infested with young
preferentially graze the affected plant thistles, goats compete with sheep and cattle for the
material due to the concentration of sugars pasture, avoiding the young thistles. During flowering,
post-spraying. A high stocking rate is 8–10 however, the thistles are palatable to goats but not
times the usual carrying capacity. sheep and cattle, meaning competition for forage is
considerably less.
3. Reduce stock numbers as the weeds
are eaten.
4. Add goats at flowering to ensure that any “Remember to assess seed head removal and
surviving weeds do not flower and set seed. pasture availability, and adjust your stock
*Chemicals should be used in accordance with numbers accordingly.”
labelling directions at all times, especially animal
grazing and withholding directions

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Weed palatability Integrated control for high infestations of
scotch broom, sweet briar and blackberry
The Appendix lists the weeds that are eaten by goats
and categorises each according to its palatability. 1. Fence off heavy infestations.
For goats, weeds can be grouped into those 2. Add goats – 30 goats/ha – in early spring to
plants that are: defoliate, browse, ringbark. Ensure sufficient goat
1. Highly palatable weeds eaten at all stages of growth. numbers to remove all new growth.
2. Moderately palatable weeds eaten depending on 3. Destock over winter.
certain criteria: 4. After two years of goat grazing, spray with
• Growth stage – weeds palatable at certain glyphosate (Grazon® or Garlon® or Brushoff®)
stages of growth, for example at flowering or in February; consider destocking until burning two
in vegetative stage. months later. Repeat in the following year, then
mechanically knock down old stems, reseed
• Availability – weeds only eaten at particular and fertilise.
times of the year or when more palatable
plants are not available. 5. Maintain low goat stocking rate – or replace with
sheep – to control seedlings.
3. Weeds of low palatability are not eaten at all.
6. Add other livestock.
Knowing which category a weed belongs to allows you
to determine how many sheep, cattle and goats are Dense growth of scotch broom is greatly reduced
required to achieve control and whether an integrated within two years if goat grazing at a level that
strategy is required. completely defoliates the weed. Control can be
achieved within another two years, provided all
seedlings are eaten.
Highly palatable weeds
Definition
Weeds that are palatable at all stages of growth and
therefore preferentially grazed most of the year.
Examples
Scotch broom, sweet briar, blackberry, wild turnip.
Stocking strategy
For scattered clumps of dense weed cover, add 10
goats for every 500 square metres (0.05 ha) of the
cover. Do not reduce the stocking rate of sheep or
cattle as the goats graze on these weeds year-round
(that is, at all stages of the weeds’ growth) so they will
not significantly compete for pasture.
For large areas of weed cover (more than 1.5 ha of This is all that remains of scotch broom after goats graze it.
dense weed) it is best to combine heavy goat grazing
with integrated control methods.

A goat enjoyed this briar. Goats graze broom (rear) at all stages of its growth.

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 For rapid eradication (within one year)
1. Slash access tracks.
2. In early spring add goats (up to 50/ha).
3. In late summer burn canes and spray all crowns
(use Garlon® 480, 1:40 distillate) – then reseed and
fertilise the burnt area.

Moderately palatable
weeds – growth stage
Definition
Weeds palatable at certain stages of growth, for
example at flowering or in vegetative stage.
Scotch broom before grazing.
Examples
Illyrian, scotch, variegated, saffron and spear (black)
thistle as well as nodding thistle (not in rosette stage).
Stocking strategy
For light infestations of weeds in this class, set or
strategically stock with goats* after germination in
autumn so that the external leaves are grazed, thus
reducing the plant’s width and height. Goats can then
be removed over winter while maintaining sheep
numbers to reduce pasture volume to just less than
1,000kg dry matter/ha. Restock with goats immediately
prior to flowering at a rate of one goat/ha for every 3%
thistle cover. If grazing small goats (under 30kg),
increase stocking rates by 10%. Note that goats
Scotch broom after grazing. unfamiliar with scotch thistle have a reduced impact at
the first flowering.
Blackberry For high infestations of weeds in this class, integrated
control is more effective than goat grazing alone.
For eradication over several years
Integrated control of high infestations of
1. Slash access tracks.
illyrian and scotch thistle in annual pasture
2. In early spring add goats (up to 30/ha).
1. Apply MCPA/Lontrel® mix about mid September
3. In late summer burn canes and do limited spot and outside of any risk of a frost†.
spraying of inaccessible crowns – then reseed and
2. At early flowering assess thistle cover and allocate
fertilise the burnt area.
minimum one goat/ha for every 3% thistle cover.
3. At the same time graze with sheep until pasture dry
Protecting mature trees matter is reduced to less than 1,000kg/ha.
Goats will ringbark some mature trees, 4. Monitor purple seed heads as an indication of
particularly over the late winter/spring period. whether there are enough goats to control seeding.
Soft-barked gums are most at risk and may 5. In late summer graze at a rate that maintains
require protection from goats. Not all trees will groundcover.
be targeted by the goats. Even within the same
species, individual trees will have a different 6. Repeat each year until no chemical required; retain
attractiveness to goats. low level of goats*.

Wire chicken mesh wrapped twice around the

trunk to a height of 2m will prevent damage.
Exposed roots may also need covering.

6 * The number of goats needed is directly related to the number of seed heads to be eaten. The best time for assessment is at early flowering after the effects
of chemical or pasture competition are apparent.
† Chemicals should be used in accordance with labelling directions at all times especially animal grazing and withholding directions.
Integrated control of high infestations of 2. Then stock with goats over flowering.
illyrian and scotch thistle in perennial pasture 3. Fertilise annually.
1. Apply MCPA/Lontrel® mix about mid September 4. In autumn, graze at a rate that maintains
and outside of any risk of a frost†. groundcover.
2. At early flowering assess thistle cover and allocate
minimum one goat/ha for every 3% thistle cover.
3. At the same time graze with sheep until pasture dry
matter is reduced to less than 1,000kg/ha.
4. Monitor purple seed heads as an indication of
whether there are enough goats to control seeding.
5. In late summer graze at a rate that maintains
groundcover.
6. Repeat each year until no chemical required; retain
low level of goats*.
7. Fertilise to encourage phalaris and clover growth. No nodding thistle: goats grazed the left paddock.
8. In late summer, graze at a rate that maintains
groundcover.
Integrated control of high infestations of
variegated thistle in perennial pasture
Spray-graze in late autumn/early winter, or at stem
elongation, with sheep followed by goats. Be aware of
nitrate poisoning.
Integrated control of high infestations of
nodding thistle in annual pasture
Spray-graze for two seasons Flowering illyrian thistle is not palatable to sheep.
Or
1. Renovate pasture, sowing clover and phalaris.
2. Stock with goats over flowering.
3. Fertilise annually.
4. In autumn, graze at a rate that maintains
groundcover.
Integrated control of high infestations of
nodding thistle in perennial pasture
1. Spray-graze at early stem elongation with sheep.
….But goats make a meal of it

Goats eat nodding thistle at this stage of its growth. Variegated thistle control: goats were grazed in the
right paddock.

* The number of goats needed is directly related to the number of seed heads to be eaten. The best time for assessment is at early flowering after the effects 7
of chemical or pasture competition are apparent.
† Chemicals should be used in accordance with labelling directions at all times especially animal grazing and withholding directions.
 Moderately palatable
weeds – availability
Definition
Weeds only eaten at particular times of the year or
when more palatable plants are not available.
Examples
Poa tussock, Juncus species, slender thistle and
hawthorn are moderately palatable weeds.
Stocking strategy
Use either set stocking or strategic stocking,
depending on when the plant is eaten by goats (see
Appendix). Control takes several years but early
grazing of the tussocks by goats allows the
surrounding pasture to compete and provides
additional sheep and cattle forage.
These weeds are typically of low nutritional quality and
goats may require protein supplements to fully utilise
the weed and to maintain animal production.
Remember to assess seed head removal and pasture Goat control of poa tussock, left of the fenceline.
availability, and adjust stock numbers accordingly.
St John’s wort
This weed contains hypericin, which causes nervous
disorders and photosensitisation in grazing animals.
Mature goats are less susceptible to the effects of
hypericin than other grazing animals.
Many grazing management strategies have been tried
in an effort to control the weed. The best strategy used
so far in the most difficult situation, large paddocks in
hill country, has been the combination of non-fibre
producing goats and Santa Gertrudis cattle.

Grazing of poa tussock prevents shading of surrounding

pasture, allowing it to spread.

Integrated control for high infestations of poa

tussock
Burn in late summer and spot spray.
After the autumn break, seed and fertilise and stock
with goats at 15/ha. Spot spray fencelines.

A severe infestation of St John’s wort at Wyangala.

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 Suitable goat handling facilities
Case study – St John’s wort Goat yards generally include external yard fences of
Grazing began on Richard Arnott’s Birnham 1.2m high and internal yard fences of 1.0m high. The
Wood, Coolah, in 1979. The paddock was heavily working race should be 1.2m high and 0.7m wide.
infested hill country that had been aerially top- Sheep races are generally too long for goats and need
dressed with subterranean clover and fertiliser. to be shortened with dividing gates every 2.0-3.0m.
This will discourage goats from smothering; however,
Initially the stocking rate used was 8.2 DSE*/ha, avoid panels where a goat attempting to jump the gate
comprising 4 DSE/ha goats and 4.2 DSE/ha may tangle its foot in the top of the mesh. The drafting
cattle. After two years the rate of goats was race should be about 1.8m long and 0.25m wide.
progressively reduced and that of cattle Some modifications may be needed to accommodate
increased. The rate in 1994 was 2.2 DSE/ha bucks with large horns.
goats and 6 DSE/ha cattle.
Existing cattle and sheep yards may be modified to
By 1986 the goats had controlled the accommodate goats. On wool-producing properties,
blackberries, briars and thistles. By 1994 the care must be taken to avoid fibre contamination when
groundcover of St John’s wort had been reduced sharing sheep and goat handling facilities, especially
from 90% dense wort at the start to 20% dense shearing sheds and yards.
wort, 50% scattered and 30% nil. The stocking
rate had been increased from 2.5 DSE/ha Behaviour
before1979 to 8.2 DSE/ha in 1994. The behaviour of goats is somewhere between sheep
Despite exposure to wort, animals with white and cattle. Consequently, little practical adjustment is
skin introduced over the last 10 years have required for graziers moving into goats.
suffered surprisingly little photosensitisation. It is Flock mobility and behaviour are largely affected by the
possible that continual exposure to low levels of leader at the time. In mixed-sex flocks this is usually a
hypericin has resulted in animals developing buck, while wethers tend to lead in the absence of
resistance to the effects. bucks. Escapes are usually initiated by the leader and
* A dry sheep equivalent or DSE is the amount it may be worthwhile to remove rogue animals from the
of feed required to maintain a two-year-old, 45kg herd. When goats escape through or under the fence
Merino sheep. they usually return in the first week to their ‘home’
paddock; however, such behaviour must be
discouraged.
Husbandry Does tend to plant their kids for the four days following
kidding. The distance the doe will travel from the
The behaviour and agility of goats, especially rangeland
planted kid or kids is largely determined by feed
and Cashmere goats, is such that producers should
availability. Does tend to graze closer to the kids when
carefully consider their infrastructure requirements
feed is abundant.
before introducing goats to their property. This is
explained in detail in Going into goats: Profitable Goats behave differently to cattle and sheep when
producers’ best practice guide; items to be considered confined in yards, and working methods must be
include suitable fencing and goat handling facilities. adjusted accordingly. Their alert and observant
disposition means they are easily moved in yards and
Suitable fencing
through gateways, but they balk very easily and do not
All fence lines should be clear of obstacles that may flow as evenly as sheep when being counted through a
help goats jump the fence, such as stumps, stays and gateway. Goats tend to rush more or not go at all.
banks. In most cases, however, goats prefer to go
When being forced in confined areas, such as in the
under or through fences rather than over. Goats can
approach to a drafting race or while drenching in the
become caught in fences by their horns, and
working race, goats will go down very readily. Although
prefabricated fencing known as ‘pig netting’, such as
surprisingly little damage results from this packing
8/80/15, should be avoided. Examples of fences that
down, it is best kept to a minimum. Dogs are rarely
are satisfactory are 8/90/30, 6/90/30 and 8/115/30.
necessary once goats have been yarded and
If goats find a way out of a paddock, steps should be movement in larger yards with big mobs is best done
taken quickly to repair the fence before escape habits as quietly as possible. When working in forcing areas
are reinforced. or races, trampling can be minimised by having only 12
Electric fencing can be used to effectively control goats. or 15 animals at a time in the area.

9
 Health • Year 2 – join to quality meat buck, retain best
female kids, sell remainder
Goats are susceptible to many of the diseases and
parasites that commonly affect sheep, with the notable • Year 3 – continue to upgrade does
exception of flystrike. Where Johne’s disease has been 2b. For mohair, cashmere and dairy production:
identified in goats, it appears to be related to the cattle
strain, although this has not been confirmed. Lice on Contact the relevant breed society for further
goats are specific to goats and will not affect sheep, information specific to the breed of interest. See
but goats can act as a vector to carry sheep lice from ‘Breed societies’.
one sheep to another.
The purchase and introduction of goats onto a property Conclusion
should be conducted with the same level of care and
The integration of goats on a farm can have ecological
consideration for the security of the land asset that
and economic advantages provided sound
accompanies all livestock purchases. Goats should be
management practices are adopted. This introduction
accompanied by a National Vendor Declaration and
should be supplemented by more detailed information
animal health statements and tagged as required
available through the Going into goats: Profitable
according to the NLIS requirements.
producers’ best practice guide, breed societies and
state departments of primary industries. The best
Miscellaneous advice you are likely to receive regarding goat
production is, however, likely to come from goat
Predators producers in your local area.
Disappointing kid survival levels have been associated
with the presence of eagles, foxes and wild pigs.
Where predators are thought to be a problem, the
basic tactic is to kid at the same time as lambing or
when most producers in the district are lambing or
kidding. Food for predators is consequently more
plentiful and diverse. Baiting with 1080 for foxes and
pigs can be effective in some areas and may be
required.
Chill
Goats generally dislike wet conditions. Animals at high
risk of chill stress include fibre goats with short fibre
length in winter and newborn kids. Shelter may be
required for such animals.
Adoption
Less productive land may be reclaimed by goat grazing.
The question of which goat will best suit you, your
operation and environment requires consideration.
As a means of familiarising farmers with goat behaviour
and management, the following sequence is
suggested.
1. Acquire a copy of Going into goats: Profitable
producers’ best practice guide to determine
the appropriateness of going into goats in
your situation.
2a. For meat production:
Buy a breeding nucleus of about 100
conformationally sound rangeland, cashmere or
improved Boer does:
• Year 1 – no joining

10
Appendix
The palatability of weeds (not necessarily endemic to Australia) to goats when weeds are grown in Australia.

Botanical name Common name * Botanical name Common name *

Acacia aneura mulga H Asclepias curassavica redhead cotton bush N

Acacia escelsa ironwood M Asphodelus fistulosus onion weed N
Acacia farnesiana mimosa bush M Atalaya hemiglauca whitewood H
Acacia glaucescens coastal myall T Atriplex spp saltbush M
Acacia karoo karoo thorn L Atropa belladonna deadly nightshade T
Acacia mearnsii black wattle HF Avena spp wild oats H
Acacia nilotica prickly acacia M Baccharis halimifolia groundsel bush H
Acacia homalophylla yarran M Bambusa spp bamboo HR
Acacia paradoxa kangaroo thorn M Bidens pilosa cobblers peg H
Acaena ovina sheeps burr M Brachychiton populneum kurrajong H
Acetosa sagittata turkey rhubarb H Brassica tournefortii wild turnip H
Aconitum napellus monkshood T Bromus diandrus great brome HR
Acroptilon repens hard head thistle M Brugmansia candida angels trumpet T
Aesculus horse chestnut M Bursaria spinosa jimmy burn H
Agapanthus spp agapanthus L Buxus spp box hedge M
Agave spp century plant L Caesalpina spp bird of paradise N
Ageratina adenophora crofton weed M Calicotome spinosa spiny broom M
Ageratum houstonianum blue billygoat weed M Callitris columellaris cyprus pine H
Ageratum riparia mistflower M Callitris endlicheri black cyprus pine H
Ailanthus altissima tree of heaven L Calotropis procera rubber bush N
Alhagi pseudalhagi camel thorn M Cannabis sativa indian hemp H
Allium triquetrum three corner garlic L Capparis mitchellii white orange H
Allium vineale wild garlic L Capsella bursa-pastoris shepherds purse M
Alternanthera pungens khaki weed L Cardiospermum spp balloon vine N
Amaranthus spp amaranth M Carduus nutans nodding thistle MF
Ambrosia artemisifolia annual ragweed M Carduus pycnocephalus slender thistle MF
Ambrosia confertiflora burr ragweed M Carex spp sedge MF
Ambrosia psilostachya perennial ragweed M Carthamus lanatus saffron thistle MF
Ambrosia tenuifolia lacy ragweed M Carthamus leucocaulos glaucous star thistle MF
Ammi majus bishops weed M Cassia artemisioides silver cassia L
Amsinckia spp amsinckia N Cassia eremophila punty bush N
Andropogon virginicus whisky grass MR Cassia floribunda smooth cassia M
Angophora spp angophora MH Cassinia arcuata sifton bush L
Anredera cordifolia madeira vine L Casuarina cristata belah H
Apophyllum anomalum warrior bush H Cenchrus echinatus Mossman river grass MR
Araujia hortorum mothplant M Cenchrus spp spiny burrgrass MR
Arctotheca calendula capeweed H Centaurea melitensis cockspur L
Argemone mexicana Mexican poppy N Centaurea nigra black knapweed M
Aristida spp wire grass M Centaurea solstitialis st Barnaby thistle MF
Asclepias spp cotton bush N Cestrum parqui green cestrum T

* palatability where T = toxic; N = nil (not eaten); L = low palatability; M = moderate palatability; H = high palatability and F = eaten at flowering; 11
R = recent growth, regrowth; Pd = physical damage
 Botanical name Common name * Botanical name Common name *

Chamaecytisus proliferus lucerne tree H Echium vulgare vipers bugloss HF

Chenopodium spp fat hen H Emex australis spiny emex M
Chloris spp windmill grass MR Eragrostis australasica cane grass M
Chondrilla juncea skeleton weed MR Eragrostis curvula african love grass HR
Chrysanthemoides monilifera bitou bush H Eremophila longifolia emu bush H
Cichorium intybus chicory M Eremophila mitchellii budda L
Cineraria lyrata cineraria M Eremophila sturtii turpentine bush N
Cinnamomum camphora camphor laurel H Erodium spp crowfoot MF
Cirsium arvense californian thistle MF Erythrina spp coral tree H
Cirsium vulgare black thistle MF Erythroxylum coca coca leaf M
Citrullus colocynthis bitter apple M Eucalyptus albens white box MF
Citrullus lanatus bitter melon L Eucalyptus cladocalyx sugar gum T
Codonocarpus spp horse radish tree L Eucalyptus melliodora yellow box MR
Conium maculatum hemlock M Eucalyptus polyanthemos red box MF
Consolida ambigua larkspur T Eucalyptus populnea bimble box L
Convallaria majalis lily of the valley T Euphorbia spp spurge N
Convolvulus arvensis bindweed H Foeniculum vulgare fennel M
Conyza albida tall fleabane H Froelichia floridana cotton tails M
Coreopsis lanceolata coreopsis M Galenia pubescens galenia M
Cortaderia spp pampas grass HR Gastrolobium grandiflorum desert poison bush T
Cotoneaster spp cotoneaster M Gaura parviflora clockweed M
Cotula australis carrot weed M Geijera parviflora wilga L
Craspedia spp bellybuttons MF Gelsemium sempervirens yellow jasmine T
Crataegus spp hawthorn M Genista linifolia flax-leaved broom H
Cryptostegia grandiflora rubber vine L Genista monspessulana canary broom H
Cucumis myriocarpus paddy melon M Gleditisia triacanthos honey locust tree H
Cuscuta spp dodder H Gloriosa superba glory lily T
Cycas spp zamia palm L Gnaphalium spp cudweed L
Cynara cardunculus artichoke thistle HF Gomphocarpus spp narrow leaf cotton bush N
Cynodon dactylon couch M Gorteria personata gorteria H
Cyperus aromaticus navua sedge MF Haloragis aspera raspwort H
Cyperus rotundus nut grass LF Heliotropium amplexicaule blue heliotrope T
Cytisus scoparius broom H Heliotropium europaeum heliotrope L
Danthonia spp wallaby grass H Helleborus niger Christmas rose T
Daphne odora daphne T Heterodendrum oleifolium rosewood H
Datura stramonium thornapples N Hibiscus trionum bladder ketmia M
Delphinium spp delphinium N Hirschfeldia incana buchan weed MR
Dieffenbachia spp dumbcane T Homeria spp cape tulips L
Diplotaxis tenuifolia sand rocket MF Hordeum leporinum barley grass M
Dittrichia graveolens stinkwort MR Hydrangea spp hydrangea L
Dodonaea attenuata narrowleaf hop bush H Hyparrhenia hirta coolatai grass H
Dodonaea viscosa broad leaf hop bush MF Hypericum androsaemum tutsan L
Duboisia hopwoodii pitjuri N Hypericum perforatum st johns wort LT
Duranta repens golden dewdrop T Hypericum tetrapterum st peters wort M
Ecballium elaterium squirting Cucumber N Hypericum triquetrifolium tangled hypericum M
Echium plantagineum patersons curse MF Hypochaeris radicata cat’s ear F

12 * palatability where T = toxic; N = nil (not eaten); L = low palatability; M = moderate palatability; H = high palatability and F = eaten at flowering;
R = recent growth, regrowth; Pd = physical damage
 Botanical name Common name * Botanical name Common name *

Ibicella lutea devils claw yellow N Owenia acidula gruie H

Ilex spp holly L Oxalis spp oxalis L
Imperata cylindrica blady grass HR Papaver somniferum opium poppy L
Ipomoea spp wier vine M Parthenium hysterophorus parthenium weed M
Iva axillaris poverty weed M Peganum harmala african rue N
Jatropha curcas physic nut T Pennisetum macrourum african feather grass MR
Juncus acutus spiny rush F Pentzia suffruticosa calomba daisy L
Juncus spp rushes MF Persicaria spp smart weed M
Laburnum spp laburnum L Phalaris spp phalaris grass H
Lactuca serriola prickly lettuce H Phragmites australis canegrass MF
Lantana camara spp lantana H Phyla canescens lippia L
Lathyrus odoratus sweet pea T Physalis virginiana perennial ground cherry L
Laurel spp bay tree M Physalis viscosa prairie ground cherry MF
Lavandula stoechas lavender M Phytolacca octandra inkweed M
Lepidium spp peppercress MF Pimelea curviflora pimelea N
Leucanthemum vulgare ox-eyed daisy M Pinus radiata radiata pine H
Ligustrum lucidum broad-leaf privet H Poa labillardieri poa tussock M
Ligustrum sinense small-leaf privet H Polygonum aviculare wire weed M
Linaria dalmatica dalmation toadflax T Portulaca oleracea purslane L
Lolium spp ryegrass H Proboscidea louisianica devils claw purple L
Lomandra longifolia mat rush L Prosopis spp mesquite H
Lonicera japonica honeysuckle H Prunus spp wild peach H
Lycium ferocissimum african boxthorn M Pteridium esculentum bracken L Pd
Macfadyena unguis-cati cats claw creeper N Pyracantha spp indian hawthorn H
Macrozamia spp burrawang N Raphanus raphanistrum wild radish Mt
Maireana spp blue bush M Rapistrum rugosum turnip weed H
Malva parviflora marshmallow L Rhododendron spp rhododendron L
Malvella leprosa ivy-leaf sida M Ricinus communis castor oil plant M
Marrubium vulgare horehound HF Robinia pseudoacacia black locust M
Melia azedarach white cedar M Romulea rosea guildford grass M
Melianthus comosus tufted honeyflower N Rosa canina dog rose H
Melilotus albus bokhara clover M Rosa rubiginosa sweet briar H
Muehlenbeckia Cunninghamii lignum H Rubus fruiticosus blackberry H
Myagrum perfoliatum mitre cress H Rumex spp dock M
Nassella neesiana Chilean needle grass M Salsola kali soft roly poly M
Nassella trichotoma serrated tussock MR Salvia reflexa mintweed M
Nerium oleander oleander T Schinus spp pepper tree H
Nicandra physalodes apple of peru MF Sclerolaena birchii galvanised burr M
Nicotiana glauca tree tobacco M Sclerolaena muricata fivespined saltbush MR
Olea europaea olive M Scolymus hispanicus golden thistle MF
Olearia elliptica australian daisy M Senecio jacobaea ragwort L
Onopordum acanthium scotch thistle M Senecio madagascariensis firewood HF
Onopordum acaulon stemless thistle MF Senecio pterophorus african daisy L
Onopordum illyricum illyrian thistle MF Senecio quadridentatus cotton fireweed H
Opuntia inermis prickly pear L Senecio vulgaris common groundsel H
Opuntia stricta common prickly pear L Senna artemisioides punty bush L

* palatability where T = toxic; N = nil (not eaten); L = low palatability; M = moderate palatability; H = high palatability and F = eaten at flowering; 13
R = recent growth, regrowth; Pd = physical damage
 Botanical name Common name * Botanical name Common name *

Senna barclayana pepper leaved senna M Stipa spp spear grass MR

Sida acuta spiny-head sida MR Swainsona spp darling pea T
Sida cordifolia flannel weed M Tagetes minuta stinking roger M
Sida rhombifolia paddy’s lucerne H Taxus baccata english yew T
Silene vulgaris bladder campion N Thevetia peruviana yellow oleander T
Silybum marianum variegated thistle H Thunbergia grandiflora blue trumpet vine M
Sisymbrium officinale hedge mustard HF Toxicodendron radicans poison ivy L
Solanum carolinense caroline horse nettle L Toxicodendron succedaneum rhus tree M
Solanum cinereum Narrawa burr N Trema aspera peach leaf poison bush T
Solanum elaeagnifolium silverleaf nightshade M Tribulus terrestris cat head M
Solanum hermannii apple of Sodom N Trifolium spp clovers MF
Solanum laciniatum kangaroo apple N Typha spp cumbungi M
Solanum marginatum white edge nightshade N Ulex europaeus gorse H
Solanum mauritianum wild tobacco tree M Urochloa panicoides liverseed grass H
Solanum nigrum blackberry nightshade N Urtica incisa scrub nettle L
Solanum rostratum buffalo burr N Urtica spp stinging nettle L
Soliva pterosperma jo-jo L Ventilago viminalis supplejack H
Sonchus spp sowthistle H Verbascum thapsus aarons rod HF
Sorghum spp Johnson grass H Verbena spp purple top HF
Sporobolus caroli fairy grass MF Verbena tenuisecta maynes pest H
Sporobolus indicus giant parramatta grass MR Watsonia bulbillifera watsonia MR
Sporobolus pyramidalis giant rats tail MR Xanthium occidentale noogoora burr T
Stachys arvensis stagger weed M Xanthium orientale californian burr T
Stevia eupatoria stevia L Xanthium spinosum bathurst burr L
Stipa caudata espartillo MR Zantedeschia aethiopica arum lily N

Source: Holst and Simmonds 2000

* palatability where T = toxic; N = nil (not eaten); L = low palatability; M = moderate palatability; H = high palatability and F = eaten at flowering;
R = recent growth, regrowth; Pd = physical damage

14
Glossary
Cropping phase
May entail sowing a short-term (annual) fodder crop, or entering a complete (3–5 year) cropping ‘phase’.
Integrated control
Use of alternative methods to lower the overall weed burden – both in mass of plants and seed reserves in the soil.
Following with goats will ensure the required 100% control of seeding. Control over a long period uses methods such
as cropping or pasture establishment and usually precedes the addition of goats. Control in the short-term uses
methods such as spray-grazing.
Pasture renovation
Addition of superphosphate and direct drilling of pasture seed.
Rangeland goat
Goats raised on land where the indigenous vegetation is predominantly grasses, herbs and shrubs suitable for
grazing and browsing, and where the land is managed as a natural ecosystem. This includes natural grasslands,
shrublands, deserts and alpine areas.
Rosette
Small vegetative thistle.
Set stocking
Animals remain in one paddock all year round. Stock number is determined by the feed availability over the most
limiting stage (usually winter).
Spray-graze
Spraying broadleaf weeds with a non-lethal dose of herbicide, followed by heavy stocking with sheep.
Stem elongation
Rapid vertical growth of the thistle as it prepares to flower.
Stocking strategy
Management decision regarding grazing technique – continuous grazing or at particular (specific) periods.
Strategic stocking
Animals are rotationally grazed through several paddocks. Goats are added to a paddock at a time when their impact
is greatest on the target weed and therefore competition with other livestock for feed is reduced.
Weed control
Complete annual prevention of seeding.
Weed eradication
Exhaustion or effective suppression of soil-based seed reserves of the weed.

15
 Peak industry council Further reading
The Goat industry Council of Australia (GICA) Meat & Livestock Australia (2006), Going into goats:
www.gica.com.au Profitable producers’ best practice guide (Meat &
Livestock Australia).
Breed societies Holst, P. J., and Simmonds, H.E. (2000), Palatability of
weeds to goats in Australia, Proceedings 7th,
Australian Cashmere Growers Association Ltd (ACGA) International Conference on Goats, France, pp
Ph/Fax: 02 9629 2390 111–113.
Email: [email protected]
Simmonds, H., Holst, P. and Bourke, C. (2000), The
Boer Goat Breeders’ Association of Australia Ltd Palatability and Potential Toxicity of Australian Weeds
c/- ABRI University of New England to Goats, (Rural Industries Research and Development
Armidale, NSW 2351 Corporation, ACT).
Ph: 02 6773 5177
www.australianboergoat.com.au
Dairy Goat Society of Australia Ltd
PO Box 9048
Traralgon, VIC 3844
Ph: 03 5176 0388
Email: [email protected]
Mohair Australia
147 East Street
(PO Box 22)
Narrandera, NSW 2700
Ph: 02 6959 2069
www.mohair.org.au

16
Cover images courtesy of Peter Schuster

Level 1, 165 Walker Street

North Sydney NSW 2060
Ph: +61 2 9463 9333
Fax: +61 2 9463 9393
www.mla.com.au