Goat Browsing to Enhance Economic Opportunity in the Loess Hills

The invasion of woody vegetation into native plant communities is a growing problem on many of the Nation's rangelands, resulting in the loss of pastureland and the need to make alterations in livestock management. The Loess Hills of Western Iowa have been severely impacted by ERC and other encroaching woody vegetation, resulting in the loss of native prairie and a threat to the economic and social well being of the rural community. The opportunity to employ goat browsing as a means of rehabilititing pastures, diversifying income potential for local farmers, and providing a source of chevon to surrounding ethnic communites will be studied.