We are renting 12 adult and 18 kid goats grown for meat from Ben Robel, Vegetation Management Services, to eat invasive brush and weeds on the back forty. The goats scattered after being released from the trailer. All were corralled when they were tired of running. Don toted water for them in a 55 gallon plastic drum on the Ranger. These goats like steep hillsides for grazing. The goats will be here for a week.
That forty is assessed as forest land instead of agricultural. By grazing goats, we are using this for agriculture saving us considerable money on our real estate taxes and spending the money on restoring our land. That forty is assessed at 3 times the value of the ag land.
Ben Robel has a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology from UW-Stevens Point. Ben saw several goat grazing services in the west while working there. The goats help control weeds in orchards and vineyards, clear fields and parks and reduce wildfire fuel in a way that is environmentally benign and cost-effective and leaves fertilizer trampled in at the site.
Forestry Hike at Justin Trails near Sparta June 8
Hunt for Spring Ephemerals
Birds of Spring 