Sheep and goats reduce leafy spurge infestations

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

One of the worst weeds producers can find in their pastures is leafy spurge.

Leafy spurge is a vigorous competitor with valuable pasture plants, robbing them of water and soil nutrients. It grows rapidly in the spring, and can develop root systems 15 or more feet deep. Seedpods explode in the fall, propelling seeds up to 15 feet away. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to eight years.

Pasture owners that have leafy spurge on their property have reduced grass and legume productivity, reduced biodiversity in native plants, and decreased wildlife habitat. Property infested with the weed is less attractive to potential renters and land buyers.

Even worse, leafy spurge is unpalatable and potentially toxic to cattle and horses. However, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Forage Development Specialist Glenn Barclay says there are two species of animals that can not only withstand the weed, but thrive on it.

“Sheep and goats are not affected by the toxic, milky sap, and can readily eat spurge plants,” Barclay said. “This fact can create a potential win-win situation for a land owner with a leafy spurge problem and a sheep or goat owner willing to graze his or her animals there.”

But Barclay says there are many considerations for a sheep or goat producer to consider before grazing a pasture infested with leafy spurge. For example, transportation of a flock to a distant spurge-infested pasture can be costly. Predation losses from coyotes must always be considered.

A sheep herder also has to deal with the danger of accidents if they are working alone, endure periods of isolation, and incur living expenses being away from home.

Initial costs of buying and looking after herding dogs, as well as buying quads and trailers, are some other expenses that can also add up for a grazer.

Nonetheless, Barclay points out that arrangements which benefit both parties can sometimes be worked out. “The land owner who has a leafy spurge problem has to realize that there has to be some monetary gain for a sheep or goat owner to enter into a custom grazing agreement,” he said. “In most cases, the sheep or goat owner has grazing options close to home.”

Barclay says it is always wise for pasture owners and grazers with sheep or goats to negotiate a written agreement in order to avoid difficulties or disagreements down the road.

“A written contract will outline duties and expectations of both the land owner and the custom grazer, specifying details, such as animal take-in and take-out dates, which both parties agree to,” he noted.

Barclay says it is common for land owners to be responsible for items such as adequate fencing, water, property taxes and adequate forage for the grazing period time. A land owner may want to specify that the sheep will be removed once the spurge starts to flower, to eliminate the chance of seed transport.

“It may also be prudent to use sheep that are accustomed to spurge consumption, and in a long-term lease, the guarantee that these acclimated sheep will return,” he added.

The sheep owner is often responsible for such items as predation losses, transportation to and from the site, health issues, death loss and flock maintenance duties.

Although grazing sheep and goats on leafy spurge infested pastures can achieve some positive results, Barclay points out that it will not eliminate the weed problem.

“Using careful planning, these animals will reduce the impact and spread of leafy spurge in the pasture,” he said. “But regardless of whether a land owner is interested in getting into sheep or goats to help combat the spread of the weed, a plan to decrease and eventually eliminate the spurge should be made.”

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food is working with the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board to develop a Fact Sheet that will provide further advice to producers who wish to enter into this type of arrangement. This Fact Sheet is expected to be available before the 2007 grazing season.

For more information, contact:
Glenn Barclay, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 446-7650