DIETS OF ANGORA-GOATS GRAZING LEAFY SPURGE (EUPHORBIA-ESULA) INFESTEDRANGELAND

Angora goats have been suggested as biological control agents for leaf y spurge, especially in environmentally sensitive or limited access ar eas, Dietary preferences and dietary nutritive content of herded Angor a goats were evaluated over a two-year period in North Dakota, Relativ e preferences of forages were evaluated by comparing botanical composi tion of diets as determined by microhistological analysis of fecal sam ples to forage availability in the field. Leafy spurge and shrubs comp rised the largest percentage of goat diets throughout each grazing sea son. Goats preferred leafy spurge and shrubs at all times and avoided most cool-season grass species, The nutritional requirements of Angora goats nursing kids were met throughout the grazing season. Use of Ang ora goats is another tool available to land managers to manage leafy s purge infestations in th Northern Plains.