Weed control goes to the goats in Prince George

Eight hungry goats have been recruited to work the weeds in a Prince George experiment to replace the need for chemical controls.

The goats have been put to work, dining on three problem dandelion sites inthe northern B.C. city, says Annie Booth, the University of Northern British Columbia professorleading thepilot project.

'I mean these guys work really cheaply and they don't insist on union benefits.' Goat researcher Annie Booth

"If we can demonstrate, over the next two years, that this is cost effective I mean these guys work really cheaply and they don't insist on union benefits if they work out, if they eat the weeds the city is interested in, the city could invest in their own herd of goats," Booth told CBC News.

"You've got your own built-in weed control and all you have to do is invest in some grain, some vet care and a nice winter house."

The goats, which cost $100 each,are checked on daily and given additional grain to supplement their diets, she says.

Weed-eating goats face hidden danger

While thefour-legged "workers" may be efficient,there are some unexpected urban dangers, Booth says.

One goat has already been killed by a dog and there is a fear people will see the animals as a cheap food source, she says.

Nor do they want people feeding the goats, which will be on duty until October andagain next summer, she says.

Although the idea of using goats for weed control is not new, Booth says Prince George may be the first municipality to give them a try.

Forestry companies sometimes use goats to control weeds on big cut blocks, she says. Goats have also been used on public lands in the U.S.

Once the research is complete, the city will decide whether the goats are cheaper and greener than hiring workers to whack the weeds and spray them with chemicals.