Good news for goats: When used to control buckthorn, goats do little to spread weed seed, study finds

Janelle Atyeo
Jul 15, 2020
Jul 15, 2020 Updated Jul 15, 2020

Goat in buckthorn — A goat munches on leaves. As more landowners use goats for weed control, University of Minnesota researchers looked into the viability of buckthorn seeds after they’re consumed by goats.
Submitted photo by Earless Acres

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Goats can be great for weed control in pastures, but happens to the seeds they consume?

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Goats grazing — Goats eat buckthorn plants, which according to a University of Minnesota study, will not do much to spread the weed’s seed.
Submitted photo by Sara Nelson

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Janelle is editor of the Tri-State Neighbor, covering South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at jatyeo@tristateneighbor.com or follow on Twitter @JLNeighbor.