They might not be your average employee, but the MD of Bonnyville is ready to sign them up for the job.
As an avid believer that there are other options when it comes to weed and pest control, Janice Boden has reviewed dozens of alternatives.
The assistant agricultural fieldman for the MD has been eyeing up one idea in particular, using goats to remove noxious weeds.
According to Boden, there are currently three means of weed control: chemical, mechanical, and biological.
Goat grazing falls under the biological category, and according to Boden, are a major benefit to the environment.
Their target is the Canadian Thistle and Common Tansy, which are known to grow on the Kinosoo Ridge Ski Hill, where the MD is hoping to be bringing goats in to tackle their problem.
“I have been trying to get these goats on the ski hill for a couple of years, and finally, because Alberta Parks are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel that it would be okay,” Boden added.
The MD aren’t the first ones to see the benefits of this weed control method.
In fact, the Calgary has tested it out themselves.
“The City of Calgary has gone anti-herbicide. You can’t use chemicals anywhere. They did a big goat project and it went over really well. I think a lot of people are starting to look and see if they can happen downtown Calgary, it might be okay in other places,” said Boden.
Chris McCord, director of parks and recreation for the MD, agreed.
“They did a pilot study with some parks in Calgary and they were hugely successful. The goats were friendly enough that they have events for families and kids to come out and meet the goats.”
The benefit to using goats, Boden said, is for one, it’s a chemical-free option for ridding an area of weeds.
“Goats have a really big liver, but sheep and other grazing animals don’t… Goats are able to absorb a lot of the toxins in this prohibited or noxious weeds and it doesn’t harm them,” she explained.
Their manure is also environmentally friendly because of a goat’s ability to break down the toxins in seeds.
“Something in their stomach breaks down the seed’s viability,” continued Boden. “They’re great for the environment. Their poop, even if it flows into the stream, it’s different than other animal manure.”
The way the program works is through Alberta Parks, who contracts a local goat farmer to get the job done.
McCord said, “If anyone has goats in the area, they put a bid in to Alberta Parks, and that’s what we’re waiting for. We’re waiting to hear if we have a bid.”
Boden knows there are a few Lakeland farmers who have been utilized by other municipalities.
In Flagstaff County, they have hired a Lakeland goat farmer to clear out noxious weeds down by the river.
This was another reason why the MD thought it would be such a good option, because not only is it chemical free, but it also helps them protect any wetlands in the area from contamination.
But, McCord said, they also considered the “fun” aspect of the program.
They’re hoping to host an event starring the goats they hire for the job.
“We just want to make it a public awareness thing. Kinosoo isn’t used during the summer so we thought why not?” McCord expressed.
Families will be invited to the ski hill to meet the hard workers, who are known to be friendly.
For Boden, seeing the project move along is substantial.
“I’m really excited about it.”
