Weeds – how to prevent new problems

B. Frick, E. Johnson - Scott Research Farm

Problem

Weeds enter farms and fields in various ways. Historically, most of our weeds were introduced from Europe and other areas as a result of human immigration to the prairies. On individual farms, weeds are introduced from neighbouring farms, from suppliers, from road margin to field and from field to field. How can we prevent new weeds establishing on farms?

Background

Introduction of weeds onto the farm can be slowed, but not halted, by careful prevention and sanitation. Some seed movement is inevitable, due to birds, mammals, movement during snow melt, etc.

The first step in preventing weed introduction is to sow clean seed. Weed seeds are found as contaminants in the seed from other farms, or in seed cleaned at grain elevators. Weed seeds and vegetative parts can be transported on equipment. It is a sound practice to thoroughly clean equipment that moves between fields or beyond weed patches. This is especially important if custom work is done. A tarp over grain, soil or feed being transported will prevent contamination along roads or in yards.

It is often recommended that weeds be removed along fence lines, shelterbelts, road allowances or in other non-crop areas to prevent them from spreading to fields. However, only a few weeds on field margins pose a real threat of spreading into adjacent fields. Complete elimination of field margin weeds may damage beneficial insects that require weeds as host species. If non-crop areas are especially weedy, they can be seeded to competitive native grasses. Movement of Canada thistle into fields is reduced by having the field margin sown to native species, rather than having an unsown border. If these areas are mowed, delaying operations until late July will allow ground nesting birds to raise their broods.

A chaff saver behind the combine can collect weed seeds. It is especially good at collecting crop seeds that blow over and cause volunteer problems in following years. It is also effective at removing large numbers of seeds of later maturing weeds. This practice prevents some weed movement within a field and provides useful livestock feed. Weed seeds should be cooked, ground or pelleted before using as feed. Chickens are especially good at destroying weed seed viability. Sheep, horses, swine and cattle are progressively less effective at destroying weed seed viability. If green feed contains weed seeds, it can be made into silage to destroy them. Properly composting livestock manure should kill most weed seeds.

Conclusions

Weed movement onto farms and among fields can be slowed. Importing weeds can be reduced by sowing clean seed, by purchasing only clean plant material such as hay, and by cleaning equipment traveling among fields. Careful management of non-crop areas can reduce weed movement into fields. Chaff collection can reduce future weed problems.

Acknowledgements

Funding provided by the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund

Originally published in Research Report 2002, Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund