Goats are a very effective tool for managing vegetation. Vegetation management is required to restore grass productivity where brush has encroached into a grassland. Sometimes, vegetation may need to be removed to reduce fire hazards, especially in areas where houses were built in the midst of flammable undergrowth. It is often necessary to change species composition to restore biodiversity and stability to ecosystems: Brush may become too thick for desirable wildlife habitat, necessitating control of the dominant species in order to restore the habitat. Invasive weedy species such as leafy spurge, thistles or sericea lespedeza need to be controlled so that native species of vegetation can be restored.
The types of tools available for managing vegetation include chemical, mechanical (mowing), fire, and biological such as with goats. Chemicals lack selectivity, have a potential to pollute surface water and are usually not cost-effective, especially in areas of low productivity such as native range. Mowing is expensive and some areas may not be accessible to equipment. Fire is economical and can be beneficial to achieving some vegetation management goals, but many species of vegetation are resistant to control by fire and fire can also be a hazard in itself.
Research has shown that goats can effectively control the invasion of sericea lespedeza into native range while producing a profit. In addition, goats controlled red cedar, sumac, elm and many other weedy species, resulting in increased grass for cattle and improved deer habitat. Other studies have demonstrated that goats can control shinnery oak, black locust and other brushy species. This technology should be further developed to control a wider array of invasive weedy species. Producer acceptance of goats as a vegetation management tool has been slow because they are unaccustomed to the animal and its management, and are unaware of the benefits goats provide. Goats can be used to effectively control unwanted species of vegetation in an ecologically friendly manner, profitably converting a wasted resource into a saleable product.