Invasiv e Species in Agr icul t ur e
A publication from
This publication is a primer for the agriculture industry. It is designed with tips and advice to help protect agricultural land from the negative impacts of invasive plants. It has been assembled by the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council. Funding for this publication was provided by the Grasslands an Rangelands Enhancement Program.
HAPPY WEEDING
PROTECTINGTHELAND British Columbia?s agri-food industry is an important contributor to the provincial economy, generating close to $11.6 billion in total revenues annually and providing more than 61,000 jobs (B.C. Ministry of Agriculture Plant Health Strategy). Likewise BC's cattle industry contribution an estimated at $600 million and 8700 jobs (BC Cattleman's Association). These industries are of huge importance to the economy; but invasive plants can often have devastating affects on production. Invasive species can have a wide range of impacts on the agricultural industry; they can act as new or additional hosts for new or existing crop diseases and crop pests, can cause reductions in crop yields, and usually require increased use of pesticides to control them. For ranchers, productivity and quality of grazing land can be reduced when invasive plants move in, limiting the number of cattle ranchers are able to raise. These impacts can increase costs for farmers and ranchers and WANTTOLEARNMORE? reduce crop and herd values. Education plays a crucial role in prevention and raising awareness of the economic, social, and environmental challenges and impacts of invasive species; it is key in shaping the attitudes and behaviours that can make a difference. Our education values are guided by a passion to preserve, protect, and share, the treasures of the natural world. We are always inspired by the courage and connectedness we see in the people who adopt invasive-conscious behaviours. EKISC delivers information to a diverse range of stakeholders who have a role in combating invasive species to both recreational and professional level enthusiasts. ?
In Canada, approximately 27 percent of all vascular plants are now considered invasive (Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada). In addition to the list of species presently in Canada, new invasive plants are continually arriving at Canada?s borders, but not all invasive plants originate from outside of Canada. Species that have been moved across provincial and territorial boundaries within Canada, or between ecosystems within a particular jurisdiction or region within Canada may also become invasive. In addition, invasive species are the second biggest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss, and are a greater threat to native species than pollution, harvest, and disease combined. Natural areas such as forests, prairies, wetlands and lakes provide many ecosystem services and benefits; these areas provide shelter and food for wildlife, remove pollutants from air and water, produce oxygen, and provide valuable recreational opportunities.
The cost to manage infestations can be in the millions of dollars. Therefore, strategies aimed at prevention are usually more cost effective than those aimed at managing new pests. Perhaps most importantly, the cost of invasive plants occupying agricultural land takes a toll on the livelihoods of hard working farmers. Less space to grow and graze creates less opportunity for productivity now and even less in the future as invasive plants spread.
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Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)
Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii)
Hawkweed (Hieracium spp.)
Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis)
COST VS BENEFIT The cost of plant invasions are more than monetary. Any farmer or rancher knows that if there is no land there is no livelihood. A large part of keeping the land in suitable condition means keeping invasive plants from establishing. When invasive plants move in to crops they reduce yields, pushing out our cultivated plants and taking up valuable real estate. Invasive plants end up thriving on fertilizer and water that was intended for crops. In pastures, invasive plants can produce mono-cultures and limit the diet of livestock and grazing animals to just a few palatable plants. When livestock feed on native species, it reduces competition for the invasive plants allowing them to grow and spread - a compounding problem. The best intentions don't help; it 's up to the hardworking folks in the industry to do their part as stewards of the land. So, as the old adage goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Perhaps put in perspective these days, prevention could be worth a couple hundred pounds of cure, especially when it comes to invasive plant management. Prevention being stopping invasive species from establishing in the first place, and the cure being the effort required to remove or eradicate them.
Once est abl ished, invasiv e species can: Reduce soil productivity Compete with crops and forage species for resources, thus reducing yield Impact water quality and quantity Degrade range resources and wildlife habitat Threaten biodiversity Alter natural fire regimes Introduce diseases
Weeds, and t he damage t hey cause, have become an important management issue for many landowners and ot her land managers in t he East Kootenay. It is essent ial for everyone who manages land to have access to relevant informat ion on t he weeds t hat impact t heir resources.
Hel pf ul r esour ces These resources provide detailed information on invasive species in both the RDEK and provincially. Most of the weed management advice and provided by these resources be extended to work for agricultural applications including lands used for producing crops. Livestock For Landscapes Weeds BMP app for Android and iPhone Seven Steps for Managing Your Weeds EKISC Priority Plant Species Identification Farmland Advantage
Invasive plant control can be an impossible task without the right plan; and knowing how to prioritize which species are most harmful can be a daunting endeavor. Preparing for successful weed management is key.
PLANFOR THEFUTURE
Using a single management practice will not result in effective weed management. Choose and implement a variety of strategies and use a combination of preventive, biological, chemical, mechanical, and cultural options. Thus, the best approach for weed management is an integrated approach with maximum effect on weed control, limiting non-target effects, and sustaining productivity. There are an assortment of resources to help get the job done; one of the most overlooked being community partnerships. Strategic partnerships with key organizations can be vital to the success of agricultural goals and initiatives. Partnerships have the potential to concentrate focus on particular problems, create
alliances among organizations that might not normally work together, and keep the approach to weed management consistent. Most importantly, strong partnerships often advocate for community goals while contributing to other campaigns and processes. Local government, aboriginal government, industry, non-governmental organizations, academic researchers, and the general public are all essential players for successfully responding to the challenge of invasive plants. The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) is a place to find helpful, trustworthy resources on using integrated weed management methods. EKISC provides reliable educational resources necessary to help integrate weed management practices into operational plans and helps people stay up to date on invasive species news. Some invasive plant infestations may be easier to control and eradicate than others. It is important to use the available technology and resources while also keeping watch for innovations that might control them in the future.
l ear n
Manage
demand bet t er
Take a course to identify the invasive species in your area, especially those that threaten your area most.
Manage invasive species along fence rows, ditches, roadways, and other areas adjacent to fields and grasslands.
Ask for weed free hay and feed for your animals. When buying seed, request a ?Certificate of Seed Analysis? and reject seed lots containing invasive species.
Pr ev ent
r epor t
Keep things clean. Clean boots, tires, trailers, and working dogs after being in an infested area to stop invasive species from ?hitching a ride? on those surfaces to new locations.
Report any sightings. The sooner invasive species are detected, the easier and cheaper it is to control them.
Read mor e her e
TOOLS OF THETRADE spr ay, spr ay, r epeat ? Traditional weed management over the past fifty years has relied heavily on herbicides to kill weeds. This only treated symptoms and didn't take into consideration why weeds became established, how they spread, or how they could have been prevented. Today, integrated weed management processes look at the possible causes of weed infestation, identify a number of solutions to contain them, and select the optimal combination of solutions. When it comes to deciding how and where to focus effort, it 's best to look at the whole ecosystem as an interconnected resource; if one part of it isn't functioning well, none of it will. Invasive plants impacting aquatic, animal, and plant health should be prioritized for targeted Those best pr epar ed t o management car e f or t he l and shoul d activities, research, and innovation to be t he ones who connect minimize their wit h it f ir st . long-term costs. Risk analysis, benefit-cost analysis, and other tools can be used to identify and prioritize the most appropriate and cost-effective mitigation measures to be undertaken. Management of regionally noxious priority invasive plants can involve mechanical, chemical, biological, cultural, or integrated strategies. Invasive plants that become established in the East Kootenay should be managed through eradication, containment, and control efforts in order to minimize their environmental and economic impacts and prevent their spread, particularly across ecological boundaries. Restoration and recovery initiatives are also important to ensure that native ecosystems and managed rangeland and crops are not re-invaded once invaders are eradicated or controlled. Many agricultural operations have also incorporated best management practices (BMPs) targeting invasive plant prevention and control into their plans and management activities that will
result in disturbance to native vegetation and soils. Applying these BMPs helps mitigate the adverse effects of invasive plants on native plants, wildlife, range habitat, crop land, and the environment. In all cases, it is important to re-evaluate the objectives from time to time and monitor what is being done; be honest when you ask yourself if you're doing all you can. As new and changing factors get added to the complexity of the invasive plant problem it is becoming even more important to form strong, innovative, and unified approaches to invasive weed management. Collaboration is key; It takes a community to manage invasive species.
Food f or t hought : Here's an inspirational video from Patricia Logan at SilverTip Ranch teaching her cattle how to eat Spotted Knapweed and Sulphur Cinquefoil.
YOUCAN SUCCEED BEST AND QUICKEST BY HELPING OTHERS TO SUCCEED. TOGETHERWECAN The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council brings multiple parties together to work toward solutions. Please contact us if you would like to host a stewardship event in your community.
1902 Theatre Rd Cranbrook BC V1C 7G1 1-888-55-EKISC www.ekisc.com info@ekisc.com