GREEN
GOATS
AUSTRALIA
An environmentally friendly business eliminating invasive plants and fire hazards.
No herbicides, no heavy machinery.
Just crazy cute goats.
SO WHAT'S THE STORY?
On the NSW Mid North Coast, we're incredibly lucky to live alongside such abundant plant and animal life. The area is also home to an array of invasive plants that can quickly become a major issue for farms, national parks and reserves, even residential areas. Green Goats offer a chemical-free solution that is gentle on the landscape and can be used in areas that are difficult to access with conventional methods.
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With over 20 years of family goat farming experience, we are very excited to introduce these charismatic creatures to the Bellingen Shire and beyond.
SERVICES
Contrary to popular belief, goats won't eat anything ... but they do enjoy eating a large number of weeds that other animals won't touch. We provide secure, removable fencing to contain the goats within the affected area, as well as water and any necessary food supplements.
Another benefit is the fertiliser they leave behind - free of charge! - which can help to improve your soil health, providing food for microbes and bugs.
HEALTHY, HUNGRY GOATS
Unlike a slasher, which can inadvertently spread seeds even further, goats have a unique digestive system with four stomach chambers that actually reduce the viability of seeds. Their selective grazing will also lower seed production - our goats love to eat the new buds and flowers before the weeds get a chance!
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Some of the plants and weeds our goats enjoy include:
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Bitou Bush
Privet
Blackberry
Fireweed
Willows
Thistles
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And many, many more - though lantana infestations will be too toxic, even for goats!
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WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
From clearing weeds to allow the return of grasses and native vegetation, to assisting in the reduction of fire hazards, our herds are here to help.
WEED CONTROL
Across forests and farms, public and private land, weeds can very quickly overrun the terrain. The Australian government has identified invasive weeds as among the most serious threats to our natural environment, to our primary production industries, and to human health through allergies and asthma.
MORE THAN JUST AN INCONVENIENCE
The EPA has identified weeds as a key threat to over 70% of all threatened species, while the DPI has identified 1650 species of introduced plants that have become established in NSW, with at least 300 of these weeds having 'significant environmental impacts'.
TARGETED BROWSING
At Green Goats Australia, our foremost priority is the health and safety of our herd. Through the use of secure, temporary fencing we can ensure our goats only target places that are safe to forage. We can also tailor the shape and size of the area to be cleared in order to move around obstacles, or avoid vegetation our clients wish to preserve (such as fruit trees and cereal crops)
FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION
Throughout the world, goats are increasingly being used in fire hazard reduction.
They will eat their way through brush, overgrown grasses and weeds, creating fuel breaks and helping to maintain perimeters.
"The [US] National Guard staff saw 15-foot flames drop to only 3 feet at the goat-treated sites. The sites stopped the fire completely; they simply didn’t burn. Even areas that had been grazed by the goats a year earlier, did not burn. What’s more, the areas behind the treated plots did not fully burn; they only scorched—further affirming the preventive power of the treatments."
- US Joint Fire Science Program
WHO ARE WE?
With a career in environmental science, Amanda's love and knowledge of the natural world is one of the key forces behind Green Goats. Her passion and concern for animal welfare ensures that our 'workers' are afforded the best quality of life possible, and her background with plants and weeds ensures a sound approach to land management.
Growing up on his family's angora goat farm, Adam is long accustomed to the care and control of these curious animals. A writer by trade, he is both wordsmith and herdsman. He has an understanding of the daily aspects and difficulties that farmers and regional communities face, and is excited to introduce Green Goats to the Mid North Coast.
MEET THE TEAM
Allow us to introduce a handful of our staff
Muck
Fidel
Riverdance
Red
The Fancyfeet Brothers
Rosehip
Fatso
![IMG_20191210_173134-02[1].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1fa9eb_38a6f5e213e443eeb0a0d56404087f96~mv2_d_3936_2724_s_4_2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_302,h_209,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_20191210_173134-02%5B1%5D.jpeg)
Toolbox Talk
The Champagnes
FOR PRICING, GIVE US A SHOUT!
To help establish exactly what you need,
please include the following:
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A rough size and description of the area you plan to target.
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The plants/weeds you believe are present (not just the ones you'd like removed. Rhododendrons and azaleas, for example, are toxic to goats)
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Details about the accessibility of the site
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Please Note: We charge a $50 site inspection fee. For confirmed bookings, this fee is deducted from the final quote.
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We are also available for consultation work, including advice on how to keep your own goats - where to begin, how to care for them, how to shelter and contain them, etc. For more information, drop us a line!
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Cancellation Policy: Once a booking is confirmed, cancellation fee of the full booking amount is required should client cancel once site set-up has commenced. If a confirmed booking is cancelled within 48 hours prior to site set-up, 25% of full booking amount is required.
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