Conservationists Practice Farming Sustainability Using Goats

The current trend in agriculture is toward organic farming, grass fed beef, and free range chickens. The food that is produced is often more expensive than that which has been sprayed with chemicals and injected with hormones, but many health conscious individuals don't mind paying more for what are considered safer foods produced in a more humane way. There are even large corporations testing the feasibility of farming sustainability using goats.

While there is certainly a cost associated with keeping livestock, it can be a good source of income as well. A goat may produce milk and cheese or be slaughtered for meat. There is a growing market for all these products although most Americans will not find goat milk or meat in their local grocery stores. Coats can be sheared and the wool gathered and sold to fabric manufacturers and specialty weavers.

Sheep, cattle and goat herds usually co-exist harmoniously if they have plenty of room to roam. They need pastureland for grazing and water sources to keep them well nourished. Fencing and cross-fencing is necessary with livestock who will find a hole in a fence and go through even a small rupture. Whole herds may end up on the road or in neighboring fields if fences are not well maintained.

Burning brush and weeds to clear fields can create smoke hazards and killing them off with chemicals has its own set of problems. Goat herds will devour weeds and brush and reduce the use of pesticides, which are concerns for many. Over the years the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have published conflicting reports on the safety of the toxic chemicals used.

The use of certain fertilizers is also a subject of controversy among many adults who don't feel comfortable feeding their families fruits and vegetables that were sprayed with chemicals or injected to promote larger produce. A goat herd may not eliminate the entire need for fertilizer, but the manure they produce will significantly reduce the amount used. As the demand for organic produce increases, more and more farmers will be turning to natural means of fertilizing.

Soil that is worked year after year loses vital nutrients which in turn decreases yield, plant hardiness, and fosters disease. Farmers rotate crops, allowing certain fields to lie fallow while planting others. Rather than just let land lie empty, some farmers create pastures for livestock to feed. Not only does this reduce the cost of plowing up the land in the spring, it also creates a revenue source.

Ruminant animals have unique digestive systems that allow them to eat crop remains, like seeds, that are indigestible to other animals. Leaving goat herds in harvested fields reduces the cost of feed and saves money when it is time to discard the by-products left in the fields.

Organic and sustainable farming is a growing industry and an important agricultural trend. Responsible and creative use of livestock is a good alternative to chemicals and poisonous sprays. The crops produced are healthier for consumers, and the methods used are better for the planet.