Who needs chemicals when youB次元官网网址檝e got goats?

Beverly Ness and co-owner Alla Iwanyshyn operate a vegetation management business, based in Errington, called Goats on the Hoof.

Instead of using high-powered equipment and chemicals to get rid of weeds and a variety of invasive plant species, theyB次元官网网址檝e opted for a unique method - goats.

Goats on the Hoof was recently used by the Regional District of Nanaimo to clear approximately 2,000 square feet of vegetation at the Blue Water Community Park in French Creek. RDN parks planner, Renee Lussier said this is the first time theyB次元官网网址檝e ever used goats to do this kind of job in the regional district.

B次元官网网址淲e decided to use goats because we are looking at smaller footprint to how we provide vegetation management and looking at a sustainable option,B次元官网网址� said Lussier. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying this out.B次元官网网址�

When residents near the park heard about the goats, it sparked curiousity and also some concerns. But after watching the goats in action, they felt more at ease.

B次元官网网址淲e were totally skeptical about it,B次元官网网址� said Kerry Mulhall, who lives two house away from the park. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 totally benign. I never heard them. TheyB次元官网网址檙e so quiet. I positively support this type of clearing.B次元官网网址�

Mulhall said he was surprised at how the goats just gobbled up blackberry bushes, ferns and other unwanted plants in the park.

B次元官网网址淚 never imagined it would work,B次元官网网址� said Mulhall.

The business partners have been providing this service on Vancouver Island for five years. They own 11 goats that have quite a penchant for chomping blackberries, which Ness said, is what theyB次元官网网址檙e primarily called to deal with.

B次元官网网址淲hat we like to call ourselves is an environmentally-friendly alternative to the traditional ways of clearing weeds, brush, blackberries, particularly invasive plants,B次元官网网址� said Ness. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what our goats like to eat. TheyB次元官网网址檙e not much for mowing lawns as they donB次元官网网址檛 eat grass very much but they really like to eat weeds. People are surprised that they enjoy eating blackberries. Most people think that theyB次元官网网址檙e painful but they really like to eat them and they do a very good job.B次元官网网址�

The idea of using goats to clear areas of invasive plants Ness said they learned from Tammy Dunakin from Seattle, who owns and operates Rent-A-Ruminant franchise.

B次元官网网址淲e wanted to try something unique for a job out here and we contacted her,B次元官网网址� Ness. B次元官网网址淪he was actually our mentor. She trained us and we call us an affiliate of hers but weB次元官网网址檙e completely local and Canadian. We just thought it was a great idea. My background is in environment science so I really like the idea of a different way of doing things in a green fashion rather than using chemicals.B次元官网网址�

Ness said the goats are so used to being loaded and unloaded to go anywhere they are needed, which makes travelling easier. And they also have a voracious appetite.

B次元官网网址淲e always put before and after pictures on our website and on our Facebook page,B次元官网网址� said Ness. B次元官网网址淭hey say a goat would eat about 10 pounds of plant material a day. ThatB次元官网网址檚 just a rough estimate. So much depends on what it is that theyB次元官网网址檙e eating.B次元官网网址�

Ness pointed out the nice thing about goats is when they consume the plants, they donB次元官网网址檛 spread the seeds around.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e broken down in the goatsB次元官网网址� digestive system,B次元官网网址� said Ness.

offer their services from Campbell River to Duncan and Ness said they are busy.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really catching on,B次元官网网址� said Ness.

Ness, also a wrangler, is like a shepherd who watches over her flock while they feed, or in this case, while they are working. She stays in an RV 24/7 when they are at a site until the job is done.