Unique solution en route to solve baaaaad weed problem

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Goats' notoriously gluttonous appetites are expected to help Fort St. John with its current weed problem.

The area is experiencing an invasion of Dalmatian Toadflax, a provincially noxious weed which has been spreading all across the banks of the Peace River, South of Fort St. John.

Despite the weeds’ beautiful yellow flower, the plant can produce up to 500,000 seeds per year, which can lay dormant in the soil for up to 10 years.

Unfortunately, applying herbicides or hand pulling is not an option due to the infestation size as well as the steep slopes they are located on.

As a result, the North East Invasive Plant Committee, formed by the Peace River Regional District as well as private land owners, are turning to a unique situation to solve the problem.

The committee is working to hire Beaverlodge, Alberta resident Conrad Lindbloom, to graze the infested site with his goats.

Lindbloom is planning to arrive on July 25, accompanied by 400 goats, two herdsmen and a handful of working dogs.

Goats are notoriously gluttonous eaters and will be unleashed on the buffet of weeds immediately. The herd is expected to complete their task in less than 10 days.

Unique solution en route to solve baaaaad weed problem

Authors

Related Articles

Award-winning Before the Peace podcast highlights Indigenous stories, figures in northeast B.C. throughout 2025

School District 60 buses cancelled for third time in week amid bad weather

International migration boosts Peace region’s population amid economic uncertainty, report finds