Plants in the wrong place.
Weeds
Thinking about Weeds.
Weeds in Conventional Agriculture.
“Weeds are a threat to primary production and biodiversity.” - Agriculture Victoria
In conventional grazing systems, weeds are often viewed as a significant problem due to their competitive nature and potential invasiveness:
Competition for Resources: Weeds compete with desirable forage plants for essential resources such as nutrients, water, and light. This competition can reduce the growth and productivity of the forage plants that livestock rely on for food.
Reduced Forage Quality: Many weeds are less palatable or nutritious for livestock compared to cultivated forage species. As a result, the presence of weeds can decrease the overall quality of the pasture, leading to poorer animal performance and potentially higher feed costs.
Invasiveness: Certain weed species are highly invasive and can rapidly spread throughout grazing areas. These invasive species can dominate pastures, further reducing the availability and quality of desirable forage plants. Controlling these invasive weeds often requires significant effort and resources, including the use of chemical herbicides and mechanical removal methods.
Weeds in Regenerative Agriculture.
“Rule of Succession: A species will move into an environment when the conditions are suitable for its establishment,
and will move out of that environment when the conditions become unsuitable for its reproduction.” - Holistic Management
In regenerative agriculture, weeds are seen as a symptom of a deeper problem — our management.
If we are managing poorly, the conditions will be perfect for weeds to establish themselves.
If we are managing well, we will have higher succession plant species and the weeds will struggle to take hold.
Weeds as indicator plants
Weeds can serve as indicators of soil health issues. Different types of weeds tend to grow in different soil conditions, so the presence of particular weeds can tell you a lot about your soil's pH or nutrient levels.
Weeds as Pioneers
In the natural process of plant succession, weeds are often the pioneers. They are the first to colonize disturbed or bare soil, and they help to cover and protect it. Removing these weeds often re-creates the conditions they were designed to improve, encouraging their re-emergence.
Weeds as Soil Improvers
Some weeds, particularly those with deep tap roots, can help improve soil health by bringing up nutrients from lower down in the soil profile. When these plants die and decompose, the nutrients they have accumulated are released into the topsoil.
Weeds as Food and Medicine
Many weeds are edible or have medicinal properties. They can provide a source of food and medicine for humans and animals alike.
Weeds as Biomass
Instead of seeing weeds as a problem, we can view them as a source of organic matter that adds to the soil's fertility. When weeds are cut down, they can be left on the ground as a mulch, which provides a barrier to new weed growth.
Shifting our Perspective
Perhaps the most important shift is in our perception of what a weed is. As one saying goes, a weed is simply a plant growing in the wrong place. By understanding and working with weeds instead of fighting against them, we can make them allies in our quest for a more regenerative form of agriculture.
What can we do?
Mindset
Shift in perception of weeds from being a problem to being useful indicators and resources.
Embrace the idea of weeds as biomass and a part of organic matter in soil.
Acceptance of the idea that there's no such thing as a weed, it's just a plant growing in the wrong place.
Understanding of weeds as pioneers in plant successions.
Manage for what you want, not for the weeds.
Uses
Weeds serve as indicator plants, displaying soil health issues.
Many are edible or have medicinal properties.
Weeds can be used as biomass, contributing to soil fertility.
Their diversity of root structures and exudates improve soil biology.
Practices
Ask yourself, why are these weeds growing?
Create an environment for your desirable species to flourish, outcompeting the weeds.
Resources
Books:
“When Weeds Talk” and “Weeds and Why they Grow” by Jay L. McCaman
“Turning Weeds into Solutions” by Gwyn Jones
“Natural Farming” by Pat Coleby
…many more