Invasive Species on Farms and Ranches in the Okanagan and Similkameen

Prevention for Agriculturalists

If you are a rancher or farmer, there is a lot to learn about what you can do to minimize the spread of invasive plants in your line of work.

Seeds and plant parts can stick to people, livestock, vehicles, machinery and equipment and disperse into new locations as you move around. Soil disturbances can create conditions for invasive plants to thrive on your property. Once invasive plants move in they can form monocultures and reduce crop yields. Many invasive plants are unpalatable or even toxic to livestock.

The most effective way to ensure that your lands do not become infested with invasive plants is by prevention.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent invasion:

Maintain your crops and natural lands in a healthy, vigorous condition to ensure a competitive plant community; competitive perennial grasses and forbs utilize water and nutrients that would otherwise be readily available to invasive plants.
Regularly patrol your property for invasive plants and immediately control or remove infestations before seed set.
Cooperate with adjacent landowners and encourage them to prevent invasive plant spread.
Immediately re-vegetate disturbed, bare soils with a suitable seed mixture that provides a dense, early colonization to prevent weed invasion.
Clean off all plants, plant parts and seeds from vehicles, gear, and equipment before moving to the next site.
Do not move soils contaminated with invasive plants or seeds.