Authors measured the effects of goat browsing on Utah pastures containing several shrub species, including Gambel oak (Quercus gambelli), to determine if goats could be used as a control method for Gambel oak in this area. Goat utilization varied by shrub species, serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and oak were preferred while use of snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus) was intermediate and use of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus lanceolatus) was low. Goat browsing decreased serviceberry production and oak production, by decreasing the number of large oak plants and increasing the number of oak seedlings, while increasing production of sagebrush plants and herbaceous understory vegetation. Two years of consecutive goat browsing reduced oak in these pastures, however, the long term effects of this management method will need to be determined before recommending its use and the success of this method will most likely vary depending on management objectives and the composition and palatability of other species in the pastures being browsed.
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