Common Weeds
This page is dedicated to understanding the different weed species, their ideal conditions and practical management solutions.
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Capeweed
Characteristics:
Nitrate weed — tends to grow where stock have camped for too long
Broad leaved — tends to cover bare soil
Balancer — seeks to restore balance by drawing nitrates from soil and mixing it with carbon
Risks:
Nitrate poisoning if it comprises too much of livestock diet. This can be remediated by feeding hay as a supplement when cattle are on a capeweed-dominant paddock.
Ideal conditions:
Bare soil (or very low grass) and high nitrogen concentrations
Doesn’t like:
A long, green lush pasture. More palatable species will easily outcompete capeweed in this environment.
Benefits:
Bees love their yellow flowers
Sheep also love the yellow flowers
Management solutions:
Maintain ground cover so that palatable species can outcompete capeweed
Move livestock regularly to prevent excessive nitrate buildup
Stinging Nettle
Characteristics:
Nitrate weed — tends to grow where stock have camped for too long
Balancer — seeks to restore balance by drawing nitrates from soil and mixing it with carbon
Taller plant, so can bolt up to get above competitors
Risks:
It bloody hurts when they sting you
Stock seem to leave it alone, which allows it to grow and spread.
Ideal conditions:
Bare soil and high nitrogen concentrations.
Tend to grow under trees very well, indicating shade tolerance
Doesn’t like:
Anything but the above conditions. If you have good pasture cover, stinging nettle will rarely flourish.
Benefits:
Good for making tea
Management solutions:
Move livestock regularly to prevent excessive nitrate buildup
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