Targeted grazing is the use of domestic livestock to change the composition and structure of vegetation to meet management goals. This technique is often used in combination with other vegetation management treatments such as prescribed fire, seeding, chemical application, or mechanical means. Results from targeted grazing depend on the kind of livestock used, the season during which they graze, and the intensity and duration of grazing. Targeted grazing represents a shift in focus from producing meat, milk, or fiber from livestock to modifying vegetation using livestock.

Targeted grazing has been successful in controlling invasive exotic plants and weeds such as leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa

Centaurea maculosa

Centaurea maculosa, the spotted knapweed, is a species of Centaurea native to eastern Europe.It has been introduced to North America, where it is considered an invasive plant species in much of the western United States and Canada. In 2000, C. maculosa occupied more than in the US.Knapweed is a...

), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) and kudzu vine (Pueraria montana

Pueraria montana

Pueraria montana is a species of plant in the botanical family Fabaceae. At least three sub-species are known. It is closely related to other species in the genus Pueraria and the common name kudzu is used for all of these species and hybrids between them...

var. lobata) and can be very effective in reducing fuel loads and the threat of wildfire

Wildfire

A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...

spread in the wildland/urban interface. Sheep and goats are especially well adapted for controlling exotic weeds and brush.