Oregon Goats Gnaw on Knapweed

Excerpted from Inside ODOT, October 16, 2002
Written by Tom Strandberg, Region 5 Information

ODOT experiments with goat grazing on I-84 right of way.

Chuck Schaffeld is the District 14 herbicide applicator for the Ontario and Vale section. Like any good soldier battling noxious weeds, he always checks his arsenal to make sure he have the right tools to eradicate pesky plants living along state highways. Let's see. Four wheel drive spray vehicle check. Various spray nozzles and equipment check. Chemical herbicides - check, One large goat herd, goat herder, dog and fencing check!

That's right. D 14 is testing the use of goats to eat about two and a half acres of Russian knapweed, whitetop, and perennial pepperweed, all of which are on the Oregon Department of Agriculture's most wanted list of noxious weeds. The goats are munching between Interstate 84 and the Burnt River near Lime, about 30 miles northwest of Ontario. The proximity to the Burnt River is a concern. "Tordon is the chemical herbicide of choice for Russian knapweed, but it can't he used this close to the river. The goats are a great environmentally friendly solution."

Cost was another incentive. "The total amount for the contract is $300. For this we get 100 goats, two goat herders and their dog, plus all the necessary temporary fencing to keep the animals contained," said Jan ]ones, D 14 interim integrated Pest. Management coordinator, "If the project is successful, there are a couple other areas where we are looking at using goats to control weeds along the highway right of way," Jones said.

Although using goats to eradicate weeds is a method used elsewhere in Oregon by the Bureau of Land Management. and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, this is a groundbreaker for ODOT. "It looks like District 14 is the first out of the gate for ODOT using goats to control weeds," said District. Manager, Bob Graham, who signed the contract with Goat Herder, Frank Rodriguez.

If the first hour was any indication of how well the goats will do, the project looks to be a success. Upon being released, the animals immediately went to work devouring noxious weeds and other nonnative vegetation in the area. Because their digestive system destroys all but about 2 percent of the seeds eaten, the goats are perfect weed eating, machines. Not only will the animals remove the weeds, but they also will play a key part in replanting the area. Native grass seed will be sown on the ground before the last of the weeds are gone. "The goats small hooves will help drive these seeds into soil," Graham said. If all goes well, a more natural setting will start to appear next spring,

The control of noxious weeds is an important task for ODOT. Invasive weeds are often spread along highways when seeds drop from vehicles after hitching a ride from other areas. "To keep them from spreading, we have formed partnerships with local landowners, counties, the BLM and other groups," said Graham. For more information, contact Bob Graham at 541 889 9115.