Goat fence for Kudzu Control

[sksmsllc]

I'm getting ready to fence 20 acres of Kudzu and set goats out to control/eliminate the problem.

Dozer just made fence line around Kudzu with instructions that my NH TC48 must be able to spray completely around perimeter.

I will track costs for labor and site prep and materials and goats with any income offset from sale of kids each year. This is a three year plan.

 

[2manyrocks]

I spent a couple of hours Saturday cutting some hillside kudzu patches that came back after spraying.

I tried goats for a few years, and yes, they reduced the kudzu, but I finally resorted to chemicals.

Others have apparently had success with goats.

Good luck. Hope your plan works and you never see another piece of kudzu again when you're done.

 

[sksmsllc]

Thanks for the encouragement. How many acres and how many goats did you ultimately have to deal with?

 

[missingstexas]

I'm so glad that stuff isn't this far west... I see it regularly on trips to Baton Rouge and FL. Good luck! Scarry what that stuff is capable.

 

[MikeD74T]

Title: am picturing a line of goats, in military formation, facing off against a forest of kudzu............. MikeD74T
Sorry if I'm trivializing kudzu, we just don't have any in the snowbound north, but we have experimented with greener powerline maintenance by hiring herds of sheep to mow the right of ways. They fertilize as they go -it's a break even proposition at best.

 

[sksmsllc]

Goat fence starts today:

Pressure treated wood 50 posts 6"x8ft
Steel posts 200 6ft
6000lbs concrete for post holes

 

[smstonypoint]

I'm getting ready to fence 20 acres of Kudzu and set goats out to control/eliminate the problem.

Just curious -- how many goats are you going to put on the tract?

Steve

 

[sksmsllc]

10 to start then 20

 

[wdchyd]

Title: am picturing a line of goats, in military formation, facing off against a forest of kudzu............. MikeD74T
Sorry if I'm trivializing kudzu, we just don't have any in the snowbound north, but we have experimented with greener powerline maintenance by hiring herds of sheep to mow the right of ways. They fertilize as they go -it's a break even proposition at best.

Mike, we have Kudzu in Hooksett......PSNH brought it in for powerlines but it they couldn't control it....that's what the goats were for.....

I have kudzu vines in excess of 1 1/2" dia in my back yard....nasty stuff....I'll see if I can get some pics once the greening starts for you to see...

My neighbor called it bitteroot or bittersweet, then he realized it was the same as kudzu......

 

[sksmsllc]

Fence posts in

 

[RoMad]

I have been looking into putting goats on my property also. As far as fencing for goats, from what I have read, I think electric is the way to go.

 

[chrisott]

My neighbor called it bitteroot or bittersweet, then he realized it was the same as kudzu......

We have Bittersweet in Central Mass.

 

[sksmsllc]

More fence post in 3ft concrete. I bought 50 and used 47.

 

[sksmsllc]

We have Bittersweet in Central Mass.

There is nothing Bittersweet about Kudzu - it's one bad weed

 

[2manyrocks]

Thanks for the encouragement. How many acres and how many goats did you ultimately have to deal with?

I only had two goats in a relatively confined area that was maybe an acre to test how they would work. They certainly made a dent in the kudzu, but for the amount of work fencing and taking care of the goats, that's why I went to chemicals.

I really can't say how much kudzu I have because it has spread out in different patches that are no longer adjacent to each other. I no sooner had it killed (I thought) in one area on me, than it sprouted on my neighbor's property next door.

You pretty much have to be relentless with kudzu or it will take over before you know it.

 

[rmully]

10 to start then 20

That is not enough goats for 20 acres. I would use smaller plots inside of your 20 acres with the idea being that the goats will defoliate the kudzu then move them. You will want to bring them back after the kudzu starts growing leaves again .... keep in mind you do not want the kudzu to make any food by making chlorophyl and eventually it will kill the plant. Good luck!!

 

[BHD]

the only problem I see is the fence is not mouse proof,
as if a fence is not mouse proof it is not goat proof, :laughing:

 

[sksmsllc]

the only problem I see is the fence is not mouse proof,
as if a fence is not mouse proof it is not goat proof, :laughing:

LOL That is what I understand! I'm as concerned about predators as I am about shrinkage. It ain't gonna be pretty!

 

[sksmsllc]

That is not enough goats for 20 acres. I would use smaller plots inside of your 20 acres with the idea being that the goats will defoliate the kudzu then move them. You will want to bring them back after the kudzu starts growing leaves again .... keep in mind you do not want the kudzu to make any food by making chlorophyl and eventually it will kill the plant. Good luck!!

I need a lot of goats! I'm starting small due to predation risk. Just want to see how many I can keep from bob cat and dog

 

[2manyrocks]

My BIL's german shepherd thought he was going to make a meal out of my goats until his nose hit the electric fence wire. :thumbsup: