The invasion of woody vegetation into native plant communities is a growing problem on many of the Nation's rangelands, resulting in the loss of pastureland and the need to make alterations in livestock management. The Loess Hills of Western Iowa have been severely impacted by ERC and other encroaching woody vegetation, resulting in the loss of native prairie and a threat to the economic and social well being of the rural community. The opportunity to employ goat browsing as a means of rehabilititing pastures, diversifying income potential for local farmers, and providing a source of chevon to surrounding ethnic communites will be studied.OBJECTIVES: Determine the effect goat browsing has on plant communities in the Loess Hills. Determine the scope and size of the goat meat market in surrounding metropolitan areas. Determine what is required in the local communities for the objectives to be accomplished and commercialization to be implemented. Estimate the impact of commercialization on the rural community. Determine if goat browsing is a feasible solution to woody vegetation encroachment in pasture in the Loess Hills.APPROACH: A randomized complete block design of one-acre replicated paddocks will be used to measure the impact of goat browsing on vegetation via biomass measurements. Personal interviews will be conducted with leaders in the metropolitan ethnic community to determine the potential meat market. Listening sessions with different end users will be conducted to determine resources resulting from goat browsing as well as outcomes/impacts that are social for the community. An advisory committee will provide feedback as to whether goat browsing is a feasible solution to the encroachment of woody vegetation into pasture
