Usually the “Check this out…” portion of the quarterly Affiliate Notes newsletter is something positive to get excited about. Unfortunately that’s not the case this time.
This study from a grad student at the University of Minnesota is being used by the University in advisory publications to pan the practice of goat grazing for invasive plant management. We’re currently digesting the study, but it appears that the study itself is not so much the problem. The biggest issue seems to be the big leaps taken by “A guide to forest understory revegetation” in referencing the study to justify recommendations against the use of goats that the study doesn’t really support.
We’ve already been contacted by a scientist who is critical of the study, and we may compose a response to address some of the study’s weaknesses. If you’d like to be involved, read the study and the guide and send your feedback to Aaron Steele at aaron@goatsonthego.com.