Control of gorse regrowth by Angora goats in the Tasmanian Midlands

Abstract

Angora wethers were evaluated for the control of gorse regrowth (Ulex europaeus) after burning. Unreplicated plots containing approximately 0.5 ha gorse and 0.5 ha perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) dominant pasture were stocked with A, 6 goats/ha; B, 10 goats/ha; C, 5 goats + 4 sheep (Polwarth wethers)/ha; or D, 5 sheep/ha in June 1981. After 2 years, percentage gorse control was estimated to be 82, 96, 92 and 56%, and percentage gorse ground cover was 36, 16, 13 and 47% for treatments A, B, C and D, respectively. Between spring 198 1 and spring 1982, when gorse was freely available for browsing, pasture consumption by goats averaged 15% (A) and 40% (B) of available pasture. Where goats were present, pastures contained a greater proportion of perennial ryegrass and less barley grass (Hordeurn sp.) and slender thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) than where only sheep were grazing. Mean mohair production per goat from October 1982 to September 1983 was 3.2,2.3 and 2.4 kg for treatments A, B and C, respectively. Gross fleece values ($/ha) for the same period were $143 (A), $173 (B), $135 (C) and $92 (D).The preferential browsing of gorse and the acceptable mohair yields indicate that Angora goats could be used in a complementary grazing relationship with sheep for gorse control and product diversification in the Tasmanian Midlands.