ii) Grazing to control weeds

Well-managed livestock grazing can be used to gradually create conditions that encourage productive perennials to out-compete weeds. Rotational grazing livestock in large mobs and restricted areas limits the animals’ ability to selectively graze the more palatable plants and leave the weeds to thrive. The long periods between grazings also allows the desired species to recover and increase ground cover, reducing the bare areas that weeds love to colonise.
Specific animal species such as goats can also be effective for controlling woody weeds such as blackberries. Similarly, some weeds such as St John’s Wort can be crash grazed when it is very young to aid in its control. But seek advice from your local NSW DPI when using animals in this way as St John’s Wort is toxic to livestock at other times of year such as when it is in flower.
Further information about managing and grazing native and exotic pastures with livestock to minimise weed infestation is available in ‘Managing your pastures’ on page XX.