Even areas that are not directly used for grazing or crop production usually generate a vast amount of growth on the holding. This is found in the form of either timber in the hedgerows, or in the form of weed growth.
In our approach such areas where weed growth exists are cut back and removed consistently at the optimal stage in the differing weed species growth cycles, such growth is rich in many nutrients, and when properly processed, through the compost pits, represents an additional source of plant food. All such techniques improve the useful proportion of ‘metabolisable’ production on the farm as a whole.
Control of weeds in intensive production areas constitutes a challenge best meet with a cultural preventative policy, if the enormous cost involved in retrograde action is to be avoided. This is achieved to a large extent by the extensive use of transplants, mulches, ground cover crops, cleaning crops etc. Also the use of legumes within grain mixtures helps to eradicate weed infestation and survival, during the cereal breaks.