Targeted Grazing Trial

In July, Century Group welcomed a herd of 17 goats for a targeted grazing trial. The goats helped clear invasive brush and weeds from a securely contained area north of Southlands Drive. It may be an unusual sight to some, but the trial has a practical purpose.

A Different Approach to Vegetation Management

Every season, future development areas in Southlands require brush and weed management. This work is typically completed using gas-powered trimming equipment.

Through this pilot, we are testing whether targeted goat grazing could reduce the amount of equipment needed in appropriate areas. Goats can navigate uneven ground, eat a range of unwanted vegetation and work without the constant noise of traditional trimmers.

They also consume plant seeds as they graze, which may help reduce future weed growth by preventing seeds from being scattered across the ground.

Why Southlands?

Southlands is a growing beach community rooted in farming and food. It brings together homes, agricultural land, public spaces and local businesses, with the landscape playing an important role in how the community looks and feels.

As Southlands continues to take shape, caring for the land includes managing vegetation in both established and active development areas. The goat trial allows us to test a different method on a small scale before deciding whether it could be useful elsewhere.

How the Goat Grazing Trial Works

The goats are supplied and cared for by Langley-based GOAT Brush Clearing.

Professional caretakers visited the herd twice each day and provided water, shade and shelter. The goats remained within existing fencing and additional temporary electric fencing designed to help protect them from local wildlife.

Goats are generally quieter than gas-powered trimming equipment. While they may have made some noise when their caretakers arrived, the herd remained fairly peaceful throughout the trial.

What We Hope to Learn

This is a trial, not a finished answer. Now that grazing period is complete, we will review:

• How effectively the goats cleared the targeted vegetation
• How the program worked from an operational perspective
• Whether it reduced the need for gas-powered trimming equipment, and
• Whether targeted grazing could work in other fully fenced areas of Southlands

Any future use would depend on the results of this pilot and the suitability of each location.

Caring for a Community as It Grows

Building a community involves more than constructing homes and public spaces. It also means looking after the land during every stage of development and remaining open to practical ideas that could improve how that work is done.

Sometimes that means testing a new process. In this case, it means bringing in a four-legged crew with a very healthy appetite. 

CTV News visited Southlands last week to meet the herd and learn more about the pilot. Watch the story here:  The G.O.A.T. of landscaping in Metro Vancouver