Untitled Document

Woodland Goats & Forest Management

Peter Smallidge pjs23@cornell.edu 255-4696 and Don Schaufler dps4@cornell.edu 589-6095

Summer 2000 Activities

The project for Summer 2000 will involve working directly with 15 goats separated into 3 herds of 5 animals each. Primary responsibility is for collection and analysis of vegetation data. The intern will assume responsibility for daily (5 days per week) field observation of goats in compliance with USDA Animal Welfare Protocols. Animal welfare protocol training will be provided. The intern will also be responsible for working with project leaders to layout sample areas, move goats as necessary, and collect pre- and post-treatment vegetation data. The intern will enter field data into a computer spread sheet for analysis. The intern will participate in weekly informal project meetings, but will need to work independently without daily supervision. Work will involve daily field study and the intern is expected to be able to identify woody species (tree and shrub) of the region, use a compass and measuring tape to delineate plot boundaries, collect accurate and legible field data, and work with goats as part of an applied forestry and livestock experiment. Data analysis will require a working knowledge of basic statistics and algebra. A basic understanding of forest/woodlot management would be useful, but can be attained during the internship. Prior experience with MS Excel would be useful. More information on the project is provided below or by contacting Peter Smallidge at (607) 255 - 4696 or by email at pjs23@cornell.edu.

Background

Numerous hardwood forests and maple sugar bushes in the Northeast have well developed brushy understories that are dominated by American beech, striped maple, sweet black birch, hophornbeam and other species. These thick understories often result after thinnings for firewood or sawtimber that increase light levels which stimulates the regeneration of these shade tolerant species. Unfortunately, the thick woody understories inhibit the regeneration of desired hardwood species, impede access for syrup production and restrict recreational opportunities. Properly applied herbicides are effective controls for undesired hardwood understories, yet many forest owners would prefer a different management tool. Goats have effectively restored brush fields to pasture, and the current project was initiated to assess using goats through controlled, rotational browsing in woodlands to control woody understories.

Progress To Date

A pilot study was initiated at the Cornell University Arnot Forest in 1998 with 5 goats (1 herd), and subsequently expanded to 12 goats (2 herds) in 1999. Goats used in the project included mature adults (1 to 4 years old) and juveniles of both sexes. Specific breeds were not selected and animals typically represented crosses of South African boer and Spanish goats. During the first two years, goats were used in approximately 25 paddocks, with the results described here based on these experiences. Early efforts focused on documenting the absence of damage to desirable mature hardwood trees and the safety of goats in woodland settings. Goats were placed in quarter-acre paddocks enclosed by 42" electrified net in closed canopy woodland settings of a sugar bush and a maple-ash sawtimber stand. Pre- and post-treatment vegetation data were collected from paddocks browsed during one or two growing seasons.

The pre-goat density of undesirable woody seedlings (> 2.0 ft. tall) and saplings up to 2.0 inches at breast height (diameter at breast height, dbh, is measured at 4.5 ft. above ground) was approximately 3300 stems per acre. The overstory was well-stocked with greater than 70 sq. ft. of basal area in trees greater than 6.0 inches dbh. Both stands had been thinned 6 to 10 years before the project began.

Woodland browsing goats initially consumed all foliage within reach and then stripped bark from saplings with a preference for striped maple and beech. The exception was witch-hazel which goats immediately girdled. Goat body size influences the sapling size girdled, with the most effective girdling occurring on stems between 0.5 and 2.0 inches dbh from 20 to 100 pound goats. Saplings of sugar maple were typically not girdled, yet all accessible foliage was removed. Girdling was especially complete on striped maple where bark was typically removed from the entire circumference from ground level for several feet up the stem. Beech girdling varied considerably after the first growing season of browsing, with more complete girdling occurring if the goats were used a second growing season. Overstory tree damage was limited to minor butt collar bark removal from red maple and hemlock once the accessible and preferred foliage and sapling bark was largely consumed. Vegetative data are being analyzed for a full quantitative description of goat impacts. Typically a herd of five goats would remain for 7 days on a quarter-acre paddock. We eventually used the absence of preferred forage (foliage and bark) as an indicator of when to move the goats to a new paddock. Daily monitoring of the goats is necessary to detect available forage and prevent significant damage to overstory trees. Permanent sample plots have been established to monitor establishment of desired hardwood seedlings, but even one year of thorough goat browsing significantly increases mortality of undesired hardwood saplings and increases visibility within the stand. Based on two years of treatment, we feel that regularly monitored goats will effectively and safely control woody brush in hardwood forests.