Controlling invasive plants in Tobacco Plains Indian Reserve

A project using 195 goats to manage the invasive plant sulphur cinquefoil on eight hectares of rangeland on the Tobacco Plains Indian Reserve is working.

Following the goat grazing treatments, the growth and reproduction of the invasive plant was reduced. After one grazing event, above-ground biomass and the number of seed heads of sulphur cinquefoil were reduced by 73% and 85%, respectively. After two grazing events, above-ground biomass and the number of seed heads were reduced by 93% and 99%, respectively.

The project, funded by the FWCP and Columbia Basin Trust, was initiated in late spring 2019 by the Tobacco Plains Indian Band, in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan and Keefer Ecological Services Ltd.

Sulphur cinquefoil has formed dense continuous stands on rangeland throughout the East Kootenay and is not eaten by wildlife due to its unpleasant taste. The study assesses the effectiveness of goat grazing to manage sulphur cinquefoil.

More: COL-F20-W-3057