Frequently Asked Questions
How do grazing and browsing provide defensible space and decrease fire risk?
Wildfires exacerbated by invasive vegetation have increased in recent years and are expected to increase with climate change. Grazing with goats and other ruminants reduces wildfire risk by reducing the continuity of fuel, as well as the height and density of the fuel. This happens immediately after a grazing application.
Long-term, grazing increases the moisture content of the soil and vegetation by fertilizing the soil with droppings and reducing the prior year’s growth and vegetative litter. For the same reasons, well-managed grazing will alter the composition of the grasses, allowing more native species to take hold which are historically not as flammable.
What time of year is grazing season?
Generally spring through fall, but it depends on what’s growing. Some plants, such as blackberries and ceanothus, are extra vulnerable to the goats in winter. Poison oak is not palatable to the goats in early spring, but they’ll destroy it in high summer. It’s important to be clear about what’s growing on your property and to work together to figure out what time of year is best to bring the goats.
Why would I pay for this service? Isn’t the forage that grows on my property enough?
Per acre, 20-30 hours of human labor goes into clearing and fencing the perimeter, moving the goats, and daily care. Then throw in the costs of veterinary care, supplementation of minerals and protein, dog feed, fuel, and equipment wear and tear. We must remain on call 24/7 in case of downed fences, a sick animal, or client concern.
Our working season lasts around six to nine months. The rest of the year we have to keep our goats in good shape, which during the winter requires a great deal of store-bought feed.
Will the goats eat everything?
Expect the goats to eliminate 75%-85% of the vegetation. Some plants are more delicious and nutritive for the goats than others. Some plants have varying levels of toxicity depending on the time of year. This is why we make a plan for the best time of year to bring the goats by.
How many times will I need my property grazed?
RLL is always happy to do a one-and-done job for people who need to get their property firesafe for the year.
If you are looking to radically change the overall composition of your property, more than one application may be necessary. We offer bulk discounts for multiple applications; it’s really exciting to help with these changes!
I don’t have much fencing on my land. How do you keep the goats from escaping?
We use portable, temporary electric fencing that is kept charged by a battery and solar panel.
How long will the goats take to clear the property?
It depends on the number of goats and how dense the vegetation is. Weather and temperature also affect how hungry they are. Each working herd varies in number from 30-70 animals. When the weather isn’t too hot, it will take about a week to clear an acre that’s never been grazed before.
How do you prevent predators from attacking the goats?
Our livestock guardian dogs stay with the goats 24/7 and deter predators by barking and creating a scent. (You can read more about the dogs HERE.) The electric fencing can be a decent deterrent for smaller predators.
Who takes care of the goats?
RLL and staff or subcontractors do. We visit the goats a minimum of once per day, usually in the morning. The goats are supplemented, the waters are refreshed, the dog is fed and brushed, and the fence line is checked and maintained. RLL is on call 24/7 for emergencies or concerns and will need 24/7 access to your property.
Does the client have any responsibilities?
We appreciate your awareness around situations like nearby fires, trees falling on fences, power outages, an obviously ill or injured animal, or persistent predators creeping around. We ask to be notified ASAP if you see any of these things so we can troubleshoot.
Should I just get my own small herd of goats and rotate them?
You could totally do that and it may be very rewarding. On the other hand, a smaller herd will take much longer to clear a property than a larger herd, and will do a less thorough job.
Some expenses and responsibilities to keep in mind:
Electric netting or goat-safe fencing and cross-fencing
Veterinary care
Routine maintenance such as hoof trimming, ear-tagging, testing, and vaccines
You may need to hire a farm-sitter for if you ever want to go out of town or if you are ill or injured
Goats generally live for 10+ years; it’s a long-term commitment
We highly recommend a livestock guardian animal to reduce predation. This adds to expense and time for vet care, feed, and daily maintenance
Will you be able to transport your livestock out if there is a fire or other natural disaster?