HVG / Calculator

Size the
herd.

Get a quick estimate for your property. Adjust the options below to see how many goats (or sheep) you need and how long it takes.

01 / Property Area

1 ac

How much land needs clearing?

1/4 acre 20 acres

02 / Herd Size

Our Herd

We deploy our full working herd of 30. Duration scales to your property.

30 goats

03 / Vegetation Density

How thick is the growth?

04 / Terrain

What's the ground like?

05 / Primary Vegetation

What are you trying to clear? Select all that apply.

Common Hudson Valley Species Not sure what you have? Browse what we commonly encounter. +

Poisonous / Irritant

  • Poison Ivy & Poison Oak
  • Poison Sumac
  • Wild Parsnip
  • Giant Hogweed
  • Stinging Nettle

Woody Invasives

  • Multiflora Rose
  • Japanese Barberry
  • Autumn Olive & Russian Olive
  • Burning Bush
  • Common & Glossy Buckthorn
  • Bush Honeysuckle (Amur, Morrow's, Tartarian)
  • Privet
  • Wineberry
  • Tree of Heaven
  • Callery Pear (Bradford)

Vine & Ground Invasives

  • Japanese Knotweed
  • Oriental Bittersweet
  • Mile-a-Minute Vine
  • Pale & Black Swallowwort
  • English Ivy & Wintercreeper
  • Porcelain Berry
  • Garlic Mustard
  • Japanese Stiltgrass
  • Lesser Celandine
  • Mugwort
  • Phragmites (Common Reed)
  • Purple Loosestrife

Brush & Native Undergrowth

  • Blackberry & Brambles
  • Greenbrier / Catbrier
  • Virginia Creeper & Wild Grape
  • Staghorn & Smooth Sumac
  • Young Saplings (under 6")
  • Red Cedar (old field)
  • Alder & Willow thickets
  • Hawthorn

Grasses (Sheep Recommended)

  • Overgrown pasture grasses
  • Tall fescue & orchardgrass
  • Timothy & ryegrass
  • Japanese stiltgrass (biocontrol)
  • Reed canary grass
  • Clover, chicory & broadleaf weeds

Your Estimate

Spec Sheet
Recommended
Goat Herd
Goats Needed
30 goats
Estimated Duration
5 days
Get Your Free Quote

Starting at $900. Free site visit. No obligation.

Compare With Mechanical Clearing +

Goats

Timeline

5 days

Steep Slopes

Excellent

Chemical Free

Yes

120HP Mulcher

Timeline

0.5 days

Steep Slopes

Limited

Chemical Free

Yes

Estimated Cost Comparison

Grazing saves ~0%

Grazing is more cost-effective for this project size

Choose grazing: for sensitive areas, steep terrain, near waterways, around structures, or where soil preservation matters.

Choose mulching: for fast turnaround on accessible land, heavy woody material (6"+ trunks), or when immediate results are needed.

Get a Mechanical Clearing Quote ↗

Via Hudson Valley Forestry, our sister company

Note: This calculator provides rough estimates for planning purposes only. Actual duration depends on site conditions, access, fencing needs, and seasonal factors. Contact us for an accurate assessment after a free site visit.

How We Calculate +

Goats: ~30 goats per acre for moderate brush and woody vegetation. Light growth reduces this, heavy/dense thickets increase it.

Sheep: ~20 sheep per acre for grass-dominant areas. Sheep graze low to the ground and are ideal for pasture restoration.

Steep terrain adds ~25% more time (goats love hills, but fencing setup takes longer).

Duration is based on typical clearing rates. Your free site visit will give us the specifics for an accurate plan.

Common Questions

What's included in the service? +

Everything: animal transport to and from your property, temporary electric fencing, water supply, daily herd management, and a dedicated wrangler on-site. You don't need to provide anything.

How much does goat grazing cost? +

Starting at $900. Every project is quoted individually after a free site visit, based on acreage, vegetation density, terrain, and fencing needs. The quote covers everything: transport, fencing, water, and daily herd care.

How accurate is this calculator? +

It's a ballpark for planning. Every property is different, so we always do a free site visit before providing a quote. The actual timeline may vary based on access, fencing complexity, and specific vegetation conditions.

Goats or sheep: what's the difference? +

Goats are browsers. They go after woody vegetation, brush, vines, and invasive shrubs. They'll eat things with thorns and toxins that nothing else will touch. Sheep are grazers. They crop grasses and low herbaceous plants close to the ground, making them ideal for pasture restoration and meadow management. We'll recommend the right animal (or combination) for your property.

Goats vs. a forestry mulcher: when should I use which? +

A 120HP forestry mulcher is faster and can handle heavy woody material (6"+ trunks), but it needs equipment access and leaves soil disturbance behind. Goats excel on steep slopes, near waterways, around structures, and in sensitive areas where you want zero soil impact. Many clients use both, mulcher for the heavy lifting, then goats for ongoing maintenance. Our sister company Hudson Valley Forestry handles mechanical clearing if that's a better fit.

Do I need to be home while the goats work? +

Nope! Our crew handles everything. We set up the fencing, manage the herd, provide water, and clean up when done. You're welcome to watch (it's pretty entertaining), but it's not required.

What about my existing pets or livestock? +

Our goats are contained within temporary electric fencing, separate from your animals. Dogs should be kept away from the fencing area, but otherwise coexistence is typically smooth. We'll discuss any concerns during the site visit.

Is one treatment enough? +

For many situations, one thorough grazing is enough. Persistent invasives like Japanese knotweed or deep-rooted poison ivy may benefit from a follow-up visit 6-8 weeks later. We'll recommend the right approach for your situation.

Ready to Clear Your Property?

Let them eat.
Get a quote.

Tell us what you're dealing with. Free site visits, honest quotes.

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