Sheep and Goats: Ecological Tools for the

Sheep and goats have been used for centuries to provide humans with food and fiber. However, in more recent times, these species of small ruminants are being looked at increasingly for their ability to manipulate forage to accomplish a variety of land management objectives, which benefit not only man, but also the environment. Historically, the West has been seen by most as a “land of plenty, ” full of rich resources such as timber, minerals, clear flowing streams and lakes and rolling shrub-type grasslands. In the early days, following settlement of the West, folks thought these resources were endless in scope. However, in the past few decades, society has become more cognizant of the fact that many of these resources are indeed limited and that how they are used may determine whether they remain for our children to enjoy. One way we can conserve and preserve our natural resources is through the use of what is termed “prescribed grazing. ” Prescribed grazing is nothing more than using grazing animals, in this case sheep and goats, to manipulate forage in such a way that we accomplish a set of objectives for that portion of land upon which the prescription is applied. Prescribed grazing can be used to accomplish a variety of land management objectives such as control of noxious weeds, reducing the incidence of wildfire, rangeland improvement, riparian and watershed management, improving wildlife habitat and reducing nutrient competition in tre