GoatsintheWoods-DepartmentofNaturalResources.docVIP

Goats In The Woods Workbook A manual for practitioners to safely and productively use meat goats in forest vegetation Colleen Parsons, tatiana Stanton, and Peter Smallidge Cornell University, Department of Natural Resources, Ithaca, NY /ext/goatsinthewoods June 2002 [revised October 2003]  Introduction Welcome to the Goats in the Woods Project! This workbook was developed to aid research and extension collaborators, both goat producers and woodlot owners, in their efforts as a team member on the project. The project initiated in 2001 and will culminate in December 2003. GIW has involved research at the Cornell University Arnot Forest and demonstration observation through collaborative teams in the twin tiers area of NY and PA. Teams include a forest owner, a livestock producer, and representation from a public agency such as Cornell Cooperative Extension or USDA RC D. This workbook will also be useful to practitioners, people who are interested in using the knowledge developed through this project. People interested in using goats in woodlands – either producers or woodlot owners – should check for current findings on the project web page at /ext/goatsinthewoods The teams have provided critical evaluation of the protocols developed through research based on their real-life circumstances. A key resource provided to teams was access to trained and knowledge project staff and veterinarians. Practitioners should become acquainted with their local small ruminant veterinarian. The goal of the project is to assess the use of meat goats in the woods relative to: (a) reduced costs and increased revenue for meat goat producers relative to feedlot or pasture production; (b) effectiveness as compared to herbicides to control interfering woody forest vegetation; (c) reduced management costs to maple producers and woodlot owners through improved access and enhanced forest regeneration; and (d) encouraged relationships among and between goat producers and woodlot o