This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
8/6/2025
Norfolk Southern Railway is using goats to clear kudzu, an invasive vine, from the Inman Rail Yard in Atlanta.
The semi-woody vine is known to grow as much as a foot per day, killing plants and trees along the way, according to the National Park Service. Traditional removal methods are costly and ineffective long-term.
Unlike chemicals or manual removal, goats offer a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative that targets the roots, not just the vines, NS officials said in a "Story Yard" post on the railroad's website. The idea for using goats to get rid of the destructive vine began as a joke.
“Someone said, ‘Let’s get some goats out there,’ and it stuck,” said Nathan Williams, NS' environmental manager.
NS hired Glitzy Goats, a local goat-scaping company, to provide the service. The goats are monitored, requiring water, shade and a salt block.
The nearest track to the goats is 200 yards away, minimizing safety risks. The goats' services will help protect hundreds of trees and plants from kudzu.
NS estimates that using the goats will save $25,000 and save seven days of manual labor. The current herd on site consists of 24 goats and 1 herding sheep. The project's timeline is three to four weeks to cover 5 to 7 acres.