Goats naturally browse shrubs, vines, broadleaf plants, and dense vegetation that can be difficult to manage through traditional methods. They are particularly effective in areas that are challenging to access with equipment.
Goats at Work
Please join us in welcoming new and unique additions to the Township. Billy...Billy goats!
These four-legged recruits have joined the Township to help with vegetation management in select areas across the municipality. They are putting their natural skills to work tackling brush, noxious weeds, and vegetation in areas that can be challenging to access.
If you see goats out on the job, be sure to give a wave and let them focus on the task at hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the goats eat poison ivy, poison sumac, wild parsnip, Japanese knotweed etc?
Yes. Goats can consume poison ivy and other noxious weeds without adverse effects. Their digestive system allows them to safely browse plants that are problematic for humans.
Are the goats replacing herbicide treatments?
No. Goat grazing is being evaluated as a complementary tool within the Township’s Vegetation Management Program. Herbicide application, mechanical removal, and other control methods will continue to be used where appropriate. Follow-up management, including targeted treatments, may still be required.
The goats are contained using temporary electric fencing and are monitored regularly by the service provider and they are protected by trained dogs from predators. The fencing is designed to keep the goats safely within the designated work area. Containment control is in place to not only keep the goats in, but to keep people out.
Yes. The herd is managed by experienced handler from Goats at Work who oversee animal welfare, site safety, and operational requirements.
Are the goats a risk to the public?
No. The goats are accustomed to working in public settings. Appropriate fencing and signage will be installed, and members of the public will not be permitted to feed or enter the grazing area. Appropriate signage will be used to ensure traffic flows continue in the areas where they are grazing.
Will there be noise or odours?
Unlike mechanical vegetation clearing equipment, goats operate quietly. While the presence of livestock may result in minor agricultural odours, these are generally limited and temporary.
How long will the goats stay on site?
The duration will depend on vegetation density, weather conditions, and site size. Staff will monitor progress throughout the pilot project.
What happens to the vegetation after it is eaten?
The goats naturally consume and process the vegetation as part of their grazing activity, reducing the volume of plant material that would otherwise require removal. Once the area is completed they are loaded up and moved to the next areas.
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