Goats - Pitchstone Waters

Sign in Subscribe

Goats

A collection of 16 posts

Alpine Ibexes Captured Resting on Chimneys of French Cottages Amidst a Breathtaking Background

Alpine Ibexes Captured Resting on Chimneys of French Cottages Amidst a Breathtaking Background

Captured relaxing atop the roofs of French cottages on chimneys with Mont Blanc as the backdrop, these wild goats must surely enjoy the best views in town.

Rancher Shares Before-and-after Footage After Releasing Goats Onto Land Overgrown With ‘Fire Fuels’: ‘Those

controlling weeds with goats

Rancher Shares Before-and-after Footage After Releasing Goats Onto Land Overgrown With 'Fire Fuels': 'Those Goats Are Machines'

“We can create a better chance for healthy trees and plants to withstand a wildfire.”

Beginner’s Guide To Rotational Grazing

Beginner's Guide To Rotational Grazing

Ever heard the term “Rotational Grazing” and wondered what it meant, or what the big deal was? I’ll explain all the basics, including how and why we do it. I’ll go over all the main principles behind it, and how to get the maximum benefit from all your

idaho_artificial_beaver_dam

Using Goats to Open an Idaho Forest

At Pitchstone Waters near Yellowstone Park in Idaho, we use goats to clear brush, weeds, and stimulate grasses on forest floors. Sixth in a series. Goats Grazing Idaho Forests from Christopher Gill on Vimeo. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 29, 2020.

pitchstone_goats_idaho

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #4

On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in sagebrush meadows. Fourth in a series. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on November 4, 2019

goats_pitchstone_waters_idaho

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #3

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #3 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo. Third in a series: On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in sagebrush meadows. NOTE: this post

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #1

On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in forests and meadows. It is fascinating to watch the Peruvian herders, and their dogs – heelers, headers and guards. First in a series. Goats

Goats, Brush, Weeds and Wildfire

Goats, Brush, Weeds and Wildfire

At Pitchstone Waters Ranch in Idaho, 5-miles southwest of Yellowstone Park, we use goats and cattle to reduce brush, control “weeds” and forbs, reduce wildfire and stimulate plant growth on forest floors and meadows.

When Goats Become Firefighters, Not Everyone Follows Orders

"Invasion Biology"

When Goats Become Firefighters, Not Everyone Follows Orders

The article below discusses using goat herds to reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfire. At Pitchstone Waters, we use goats every year. Their favorite food is leafy spurge – a rapidly spreading weed that no other domestic or wild animal will eat, and which is immune to herbicides. NOTE: this

Connecting Ranchers with Land Stewards Could Be Key to Less Disastrous Wildfires

Connecting Ranchers with Land Stewards Could Be Key to Less Disastrous Wildfires

As discussed below, grazing of domestic animals – cattle, sheep and goats – is an effective way to prevent wildfire and improve habitat. Another species that has great potential for wildfire control is the wild horse. NOTE: this article was originally published to CivilEats.com on July 8, 2021. It was written

The Unconventional Weapon Against Future Wildfires: Goats

The Unconventional Weapon Against Future Wildfires: Goats

Appearing below is an excellent article on goats and wildfire control. Goats have worked very well for us at Pitchstone Waters in Idaho, as discussed extensively in this blog. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on September 18, 2021. It was written by Coral Murphy Marcos. In

California wildfires

Goat Stories

“At Pitchstone Waters we have found that properly managed goats are the easiest form of fire-control brush management in overgrown forests. The negative is that this a service which must be paid for. NOTE: this collection of goat-related stories was originally published to Flipboard.com. It was curated by Flipboard

WILD About Mountain Goats

WILD About Mountain Goats

Idaho’s’ mountain goats are adapted to living in rugged, remote areas, so it is natural that the mountain goat would appear mysterious. But this harsh habitat is also their defense.

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #2

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #2

On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in sagebrush meadows. Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #2 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

Leonel Martins Pereira, a shepherd in Vermelhos, Portugal, with the goats he tends at the end of a long day.

"Invasion Biology"

Scorched Portugal Turns to the Goat as a Low-Cost Firefighter

In nature, different animals eat different kinds of plants and there are specific species for every such “ecological niche”. Where native animals have gone missing, domestic goats can be used to replace animals that once ate brush and weeds, just as cattle replace herds of nomadic grazers like bison. Goats