This project will provide solutions for rangeland managers and small ruminant producers. Woody plant encroachment is a major problem for rangelands world wide and goat browsing is a sustainable method for reducing woody plant encroachment. We have developed a herd of goats with increased consumption of juniper a major encroahing species in Texas and the U.S. We will investigate the genetic and physiologic processes that allow these goats to consume more juniper to enhance our ability to selectively breed goats for this trait. Because predation is a major factor limiting small ruminant production and dead goats do not eat juniper we are also investigating how to best use livestock guarding dogs to protect goats.
