ALONG THE PRAIRIE SUNSET TRAIL – You might say these goats just keep working all day long...even through dinner time.

This past Friday, a special herd of goats was released along the Prairie Sunset Trail, between Garden Plain and Goddard. The specific location was just east of 263rd Street.

The goats belong to Rex Rutledge, who operates Restoration Grazing. Rutledge is in his third year with Restoration Grazing.

On Friday, Rutledge released 150 goats into a fenced area along the trail. Specifically, the goats were brought in to help combat an abundance of poison ivy along the trail, said Ruth Holliday, secretary of the Prairie Sunset Trail group.

As it turns out, goats love poison ivy, and it doesn’t harm them. In a short amount of time, a herd of goats can have a substantial impact on such infestations.

Rutledge started Restoration Grazing with 70 goats, with the goal being to do targeted grazing. This involves intentional placement of goats (or sheep) to decrease unwanted vegetation.

This year, Rutledge wants to expand the business to include larger herds on larger properties. “It’s a fun, eco-friendly and effective solution to managing a property,” said Rutledge.

On Sunday, the trail group held its annual fundraiser, the Oz Wicked Wind 100K bicycle ride. The two gravel routes for the event, along with the two road routes, either came by the working goats, or near them, and participants were encouraged to check out the progress, said Holliday.