Targeted Grazing

Natural Land Management Practices

What is Targeted Grazing? It is a method of land management which utilizes grazing animals to graze or browse an area of land for short periods of time with a large number of animals to manage invasive vegetation or to lower he ground litter levels in order to lower wildfire intensity. This can also be called prescribed grazing for land that needs special attention or management. 

The practice of targeted grazing is designed to achieve specific goals; 1) land management, 2) fire control, 3) environmental improvements, 4) increase of economic revenue and productivity of the land, 5) protect areas sensitive to erosion and chemical runoff.

Use of temporary electro netting powered by solar energizers makes targeted grazing the perfect way to manage problem areas of land that are overgrown with weeds, brush, and invasive trees.  By using this practice, goats focus on the problem areas, leaving the areas for cattle to graze open. Goats prefer the weeds and brush over grasses, so it leaves more for the cattle by eliminating the stuff that pushes out grasses.

Our farm provides goat rental (Targeted grazing) for those who wish to manage their land naturally. We bring 70-80 goats to your property, set up perimeter fencing around the area targeted for work and let the goats have their way with your weeds, brush and invasive weeds.

We stay with the goats while they are on job site, to ensure the safety, health and to keep the goats from escaping. A team of working dogs (Border Collies) assist with management of the goats and provide sentinel services for the whole team.

In 2026 we will be offering another type of goat rental where the land owner provides their own fencing and we bring the goats for the grazing season, then pick them up when the season is over. This is for landowners with a solid livestock experience who don’t want to buy goats but need the service. We provide monthly visits for health checks and provide mineral and salt.

Land Management Plans – We are more than happy to visit with folks who are concerned about their land being overgrown with invasive vegetation. If you have a large area that needs to be manages we can set up a one-time or multi-year plan to fit your needs.

Animal Welfare is of great importance when we are on a job site. We ask that the customer ensure that those who visit the site adhere to the instructions given them by the goat wrangler and abide by the warning signs posted. Any individual who cannot adhere to these guidelines will be asked to leave. If anyone is caught teasing or harming any of the animals on the job site, they will be asked to leave the site. If they refuse and the customer cannot get them to leave, the animals will be loaded and leave the site with full payment expected, whether or not the job is complete.

Services provided by Mary’s Barnyard Weed Warriors are usually charged as a daily rate and special projects are bid differently. Our rates include transportation and set-up costs. All rates are subject to change due to transportation costs. All special permits are to be paid by the customer.

Wichita KS Metro Rates

These 2023 rates are for sites within the city limits.  Some sites in the metro area MAY be lower depending on size of city, area being worked and access to job site.  Any and all special permits will be paid by customer. Job sites must be at least 1 acre in size and cannot be in high traffic areas. We do NOT service the city of Andover due to their city ordinances prohibiting livestock.

          Day   Rate     Total        

             1     $725     $725

             2     $725     $1,450

             3     $700     $2,100

             4     $675     $2,700

             5     $650     $3,250

             6     $625     $3,750

             7     $600     $4,200

             8     $575     $4,600

             9     $550     $4,950

            10    $500     $5,000

Over 10 days rate is $500/day.

Lawrence/

Topeka Rates

These are rates for inside the city limits of Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan & Junction City. Any permits will be paid by the customer.  Lawrence city limits goats can only be in town during the day. Job sites must be at least 1 acre in size and cannot be in high traffic areas.

Day   Rate     Total        

             1     $725    $725

             2     $725      $1,450

             3     $700      $2,100

             4     $675      $2,700

             5     $650      $3,250

             6     $625      $3,750

             7     $600      $4,200

             8     $575      $4,600

             9     $550      $4,950

            10    $500      $5,000

Over 10 days rate is $500/day.

Rural Rates

Rural area rates can include small towns/cities with less than 10,000 population.  Long-term jobs (up to 2 months are bid differently). Job site must be a minimum of 1 acre.

          Day   Rate     Total

           1       $525     $525

           2        $525     $1,050

           3        $500     $1,500

           4        $480     $1,920

           5        $475     $2,375

           6        $450     $2,700

           7        $425     $2,975

           8        $400     $3,200

           9        $375     $3,375

          10       $350     $3,500 Over 10 days the rate is $350/day.