Goats being used to get rid of weeds around Wascana Centre

May 25, 2023

The Wascana Centre is bringing back a unique but effective tactic to deal with its weed problem.

Over 200 goats, coming from the Village of Elbow, will be allowed to walk the grounds from May 24th to June 1st and eat all the weeds they want. Around 100 goats were brought in last year and had a major impact in the area.

“We are pleased to welcome a herd of 200 local Saskatchewan goats to enjoy our tasty weeds,” said Don McMorris, the Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission. “Goat grazing allows us to reduce the spread of invasive plants without the use of chemical herbicides and machinery.”

One goat is expected to eat around 10 pounds of weeds daily, meaning the roughly 200 goats will be able to get rid of around a tonne of pesky plants every day.

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Video: Assessing Welfare Resources During Late Finish - Dr. Anna Johnson & Emma Coursey

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Johnson from Iowa State University and Emma Coursey from the University of Illinois discuss research evaluating welfare resources during the late finishing stage on commercial swine farms. They explain how feeder management, water use, space allocation, and pig health influence welfare outcomes and practical on-farm management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Small resource issues can become larger welfare problems when multiple stressors interact across finishing barns."

Meet the guests: Dr. Anna Johnson / anna-johnson-05028a14 is the Morrill Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Iowa State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Texas Tech University and completed her master's degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on practical solutions that improve farm animal welfare, including sow productive lifetime, animal-human interaction, environmental enrichment, and Precision Livestock Farming.

Emma Coursey / emma-coursey-183810241 is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine after earning a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Her academic interests include swine health, production, and animal welfare, with research experience evaluating welfare resources in commercial finishing pigs.