STRAWBERRY POINT, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa government official says the state’s plan to use goats to clear away vegetation is an initial success. Iowa Department of Natural Resources supervisor Mike Steuck tells KCRG-TV the 60 goats have been munching away for two weeks at the Ensign Hollow state wildlife area near Strawberry Point. He said Wednesday that the goats have cleared more than three acres of giant ragweed, stinging nettles, wild parsnip, poison ivy and other undesirable species.

The animals were enlisted to graze seven of the 40 acres in the area. The DNR is paying the goat’s owner $2,000 for the trail project, which includes the goats’ return visit this fall. Steuck says the success of the state’s goat plan hinges on how much vegetation grows back by next year.