I think sheep and goats are some of the neatest critters out there, but I haven’t been able to convince my husband that we need a couple of them.

They produce milk and fiber, plus I could certainly use the manure. They also eat weeds, which is terrific since we have a nasty patch of Canada thistle and tenacious knapweed in the backyard. So I suppose if their adorable antics don’t do it, I’m hoping their weed eating might change his mind.

Natural Weed Control with Goats and Sheep

Goats and sheep have been used out here for quite some time to control noxious weeds in areas where managers want to minimize the use of herbicides. Both species like many of the same plants, although sheep (in general) don’t seem to eat the vining, twiggy plants quite as much.

With that said, I would really wonder whether the Jacob Sheep, a heritage variety that is durable and resilient, would eat practically anything. When we were back in Ohio last year, we visited Jacobs Heritage Farm in Copley, and they had a herd of this neat old breed. My dad raised Romneys and he was always fussy about which cutting of hay he fed them. Not these sheep. They were eating maple leaves.

Leafy Spurge and Knapweed

Noxious weeds are a plague to our western lands. They quickly establish themselves and take over, ruining valuable grazing land for deer and elk, as well as domestic livestock.

Some of the worst offenders are leafy spurge and knapweed. Of the two, I don’t know which is worse.

Leafy spurge is truly nasty to have around. Because it spreads via seeds, as well as lots of root buds, it’s not as easy as cutting it off before it goes to seed. Pulling it by hand is tricky since it produces a milky latex substance that is toxic and can cause skin irritation. It’s also potentially deadly to livestock, except for sheep and goats. Actually, in projects here in Montana, goats (in particular) seemed to like it the best.

Knapweed is the one we have more of near us. It can be the driest, nastiest summer and that stuff will keep blooming. Each plant can produce up to 1000 seeds, and when it’s dry and blowing across the prairie it’s a very efficient re-seeder. This is probably why we’re having such a difficult time eradicating it from our property. When we moved here, the backyard was a go-cart track and the only green were thistles and knapweed. We water and mow (two techniques often recommended to eliminate knapweed), and my husband has hit them with some heavy duty chemicals. But to no avail. I suppose with knapweed simply in the neighborhood, all it takes is one plant to cruise through to replace what we killed.

Other Benefits of Goats and Sheep

So I go back to my rally for sheep or goats. There are professional companies that will bring the animals to your property, which is lovely, but I think a long term situation makes more sense, especially since the problem will keep blowing our way. And I would be equally happy with goats or sheep, particularly the Jacob Sheep. Goats have terrific personalities and can give milk. Sheep are also fun to have around, plus they provide milk and fiber. It seems like a great reason to add a couple of these adorable little weed eaters to our place!

The photo is one of the Jacob Sheep from Jacobs Heritage Farm that I took last fall.