To obtain efficient animal production over a number of years, the needs of the plants as well as the needs of the animals must be taken into consideration. Meat Goats in Land and Forage Management Goats have been successfully used for the biological control of abandoned farmland pastures invaded by herbaceous weeds, vines, multiflora rose bushes and hardwood saplings. Managed defoliation with goats results in a substantial increase in vegetative cover by favorable grass and legume species while reducing or eliminating unwanted shrub species. Old pastures containing multiflora rose bushes and many other weeds grazed with goats and cattle became dominated with grass and clover after four years of grazing. Goats clear brush more effectively and rapidly than sheep.
Many people still believe that goats eat and do well on anything from newspapers to tin cans.
Attempting to manage and feed goats with such a belief will not lead to successful meat goat production. A Key to Successful Management Producers should develop an eye and a touch for the condition of their animals and strive to maintain a moderate amount of condition on their goats. When body condition start to decrease, it is a sign that supplemental feed is needed or that animals should be moved to a higher quality pasture. Waiting until goats become thin to start improving their feeding regime may lead to large production losses. Use of Goats as Biological Agents for the Control of Unwanted Vegetation Much of hill land pasture in the Appalachian region of the United States is weed and brush infested.