[Jacob-list] goats

[sbennett]

We used to have fields of thistles. The goats eat the flower heads before 
they go to seed. The second year we had a few thistles, now there are 
none. Milkweed is poisonous, but the good news is livestock don't like 
how it tastes. I don't know if any particular kind of goat would be 
better, I like my cashmere producing goats. They can hold their own with 
my aggressive Jacobs and aren't quite tall enough to jump the fences like 
dairy goats.

Debbie Bennett
Feral Fibre

>I have many stubborn patches of thistle and milkweed that I would like to 
>get rid of in various areas of my pasture.  Some agri-friends have 
>suggested that I run a couple of goats with my sheep, as they will eat the 
>stuff.
>
>Has anyone tried this successfully?  Any particular kind of goat better 
>then th'other? Especially for milkweed & thistle?  
>
>thom