Grazing Animals as Weed Control Agents

Popay, Ian; Field, R. J.

doi:10.1017/s0890037x00045942

Cited by 117 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Seeding crops at optimal densities can provide substantially increased competition against weeds and may synergistically enhance weed suppressive efforts of cover crops [108]. As mentioned previously, livestock grazing has been used to control weeds [109], and rotations including a perennial forage crop phase in the crop rotation to control perennial weeds in organic ZT systems should be considered.…”

Section: Complementary Weed Management Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Organic Zero Tillage Systems on Crops, Weeds, and Soil Quality

2013

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Abstract:Organic farming has been identified as promoting soil quality even though tillage is used for weed suppression. Adopting zero tillage and other conservation tillage practices can enhance soil quality in cropping systems where synthetic agri-chemicals are relied on for crop nutrition and weed control. Attempts have been made to eliminate tillage completely when growing several field crops organically. Vegetative mulch produced by killed cover crops in organic zero tillage systems can suppress annual weeds, but large amounts are needed for adequate early season weed control. Established perennial weeds are not controlled by cover crop mulch. Integrated weed management strategies that include other cultural as well as biological and mechanical controls have potential and need to be incorporated into organic zero tillage research efforts. Market crop performance in organic zero tillage systems has been mixed because of weed, nutrient cycling, and other problems that still must be solved. Soil quality benefits have been demonstrated in comparisons between organic conservation tillage and inversion tillage systems, but studies that include zero tillage treatments are lacking. Research is needed which identifies agronomic strategies for optimum market crop performance, acceptable levels of weed suppression, and soil quality benefits following adoption of organic zero tillage. OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2013, 5 3173

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Section: Complementary Weed Management Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Organic Zero Tillage Systems on Crops, Weeds, and Soil Quality

2013

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“…Together with acetic acid (vinager), goat grazing seemed as cost effective as single application herbicides to control certain weed species while posing fewer concerns over impacts on human and ecosystem health in northern Canadian communities (Booth and Skelton, 2009). Compared to other livestock species, goats control spiny or poisonous brush weeds like gorse or poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) better than sheep or cattle (Popay and Field, 1996;Celaya et al, 2007). They also control leafy spurge (Lym et al, 1997) better than the other livestock species and, because of their lower dietary overlap with cattle, they might be preferred by cattle rangers over sheep for their mixed herds to reduce the weed enough to allow cattle grazing (Lym, 1998;Olsen and Hansen, 1977).…”

Section: Weed Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table 2 Summary of plant species considered weeds and which are palatable to goats. Popay and Field (1996), Simmonds et al (2000), and Launchbaugh (2006).…”

Section: Landscape Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Goat grazing, its interactions with other herbivores and biodiversity conservation issues

García

Celaya

García

et al. 2012

Small Ruminant Research

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a b s t r a c tGoats have developed in harmony with local conditions of climate, terrain, vegetation, and even pathogens over centuries in many areas, while they have been blamed of causing environment degradation in other ones. The paper summarizes the situation of goat's population worldwide, the status of the breeds and the multiple implications of their conservation, the interactions of goats with other animal species (wild or domestic) and the main issues regarding the consequences of goat grazing from the environmental point of view. It underlines that most of the environmentally harmful effects of goat grazing arise from improper management practices at very high grazing pressures whereas goat grazing can be a useful tool for conservation if managed adequately. Moderate grazing pressures can be compatible with high levels of biodiversity and provide externalities, whereas high intensity at short term can be a valuable tool for weed control. Goat genetic heritage is seriously threatened and requires more studies and greater support from national and international institutions, in parallel with other efforts in rural development, especially for remote areas which hold an outstanding reservoir of livestock diversity adapted to the local conditions and managed by impoverished communities. A multidisciplinary approach of scientists, policy makers, rangeland managers and local communities is required for the design of future sustainable management plans.

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“…Large-scale disturbance regimes offer both opportunities and threats for managing invasive grasses for conservation outcomes. Paradoxically, imposing anthropogenic disturbance regimes, such as strategic grazing, within conservation reserves may help suppress high impact environmental alien grasses (Popay and Field 1996;Friedel et al 2011). Prescriptions for optimal fire regimes continue to be refined in different parts of Australia in response to competing land uses (Russell-Smith et al 2009;Friedel et al 2014) and major ongoing changes in water management and flow regimes are expected in Australia's largest catchment, the Murray-Darling Basin (Pittock and Connell 2010) and elsewhere.…”

Section: Disturbance Regimesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unassisted invasions: understanding and responding to Australia’s high-impact environmental grass weeds

Klinken

Friedel

2017

Aust. J. Bot.

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Abstract. Alien grass species have been intentionally introduced into Australia since European settlement over 200 years ago, with many subsequently becoming weeds of natural environments. We have identified the subset of these weeds that have invaded and become dominant in environmentally important areas in the absence of modern anthropogenic disturbance, calling them 'high-impact species'. We also examined why these high-impact species were successful, and what that might mean for management. Seventeen high-impact species were identified through literature review and expert advice; all had arrived by 1945, and all except one were imported intentionally, 16 of the 17 were perennial and four of the 17 were aquatic. They had become dominant in diverse habitats and climates, although some environments still remain largely uninvaded despite apparently ample opportunities. Why these species succeeded remains largely untested, but evidence suggests a combination of ecological novelty (both intended at time of introduction and unanticipated), propagule pressure (through high reproductive rate and dominance in nearby anthropogenically-disturbed habitats) and an ability to respond to, and even alter, natural disturbance regimes (especially fire and inundation). Serious knowledge gaps remain for these species, but indications are that resources could be better focused on understanding and managing this limited group of high-impact species. They require new management approaches, especially to counteract the advantages of ecological novelty, reduce propagule pressure and better direct the large-scale disturbance regimes that continue to shape plant communities across Australia.

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Grazing Animals as Weed Control Agents

Cited by 117 publications

References 71 publications

Impacts of Organic Zero Tillage Systems on Crops, Weeds, and Soil Quality

Impacts of Organic Zero Tillage Systems on Crops, Weeds, and Soil Quality

Goat grazing, its interactions with other herbivores and biodiversity conservation issues

Unassisted invasions: understanding and responding to Australia’s high-impact environmental grass weeds

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