The winter snow and spring rains have brought a little color to the hillsides and mountain ranges of Oneida County.  The pops of yellow, blue, white and pink wildflowers are a striking contrast against the deep green blanketing the mountainside.  But as pretty as they are, there are a handful of those plants that farmers and ranchers cringe to see.  Noxious weeds and other poisonous plants can wreak havoc on grazing grounds, farmland and herd health.  Knowing what to look for and how to treat it before it gets out of control can keep the challenges and dangers of such plants at bay.

Noxious weeds are simply defined as invasive, non-native plants that are harmful to agriculture, public health, recreation, property or wildlife.  Most noxious weeds are found to be difficult to control or even impossible to eradicate because of their aggressive growth coupled with a lack of natural predators to keep it in check. To officially be considered a noxious weed, they must be designated by a federal, state or county government.  Noxious weeds can be grasses, flowering plants, shrubs, trees or even aquatic plants.

Unfortunately, Oneida County is home to a variety of noxious weeds both private landowners and public governments work to control and contain in an effort to lessen their effects.  Listed on oneidaid.us/departments/noxious_weeds.php are 18 known plants, including weeds such as houndstongue, musk thistle, spotted knapweed, leafy spurge, and black henbane.  While most of these noxious weeds are problematic in agricultural settings, some of these plants can even be found growing and invading landscaping areas.

Noxious weeds overtake the native they grow among in several ways.  Many of them outcompete other plants by taking water and nutrients from other plants, choking out other good plants as they grow in number and size.  They will reduce the growth of other plants not only as they compete for nutrients and space, but by producing chemicals that decrease soil fertility or inhibit plant growth.  Most noxious weeds can survive in a wide variety of climates or environmental conditions, allowing them to overtake other plants and forages when conditions are less than ideal.

Aside from their aggressive plant growth to outcompete other desirable plants, their seed production and casting lends to their rapid growth.  The Spotted Knapweed, for example, can produce 25,000 seeds from a single mature plant that can be easily spread by the wind, water, or animals.  Leafy Spurge seeds sort of explode from small pods on the plant, traveling as far as 15 feet from the plant.  

Noxious weeds are not only troublesome because they reduce soil health, biodiversity, crop yields and range forages, many plants are poisonous and pose a danger to people and humans.  Houndstongue can be especially hazardous to livestock as it contains chemicals that will reduce the reproduction of liver cells.  Leafy Spurge might not be as dangerous to cattle as Houndstonge, but it can cause burning in the mouth and digestive problems that will reduce their grazing, growth and gain.

Other poisonous plants not considered noxious weeds, can be extremely harmful to livestock as well.  Certain species of Lupine are especially dangerous for cattle.  There can be some effects to the cow itself, but the greatest impact is on the developing calf inside.  Lupine poisoning during the first trimester will cause a wide range of skeletal defects, such as crooked legs, twisted spines and cleft palates that may make it difficult for a calf to survive.  Other poisonous plants for livestock that farmers and ranchers are wary of include poisonous and water hemlock, nightshades and larkspur.

The variety of noxious weeds and poisonous plants, their aggressive growth, seed production and easy dispersal can make their management seem overwhelming.  While it may be difficult, there are several things farmers, ranchers and landscapers and gardeners can do in the fight against their spread.

Many agencies and private landowners turn to herbicides to help manage noxious weed growth as they are the most effective and the most efficient.  There are a variety of chemicals that can be utilized for weed control.  Depending on the environment and what else is growing in the area will lend to different herbicides that will be most beneficial.  Some chemicals can easily be applied yourself but there are some that require a licensed applicator.

In areas that preclude the use of herbicides, the more labor intensive mechanical control can be the answer for noxious weed management.  This can be as simple as pulling weeds, cutting, mowing or covering the weeds to remove or slow their growth.  However the plants are removed, ensuring they are properly disposed of is an important step to eradicating them.  Removing the plants and their seeds by burning or composting will help to destroy the seeds and keep them from spreading the noxious weeds.

For those that need help and direction as they begin a weed management plan, there are resources close by and available.  The county employs a noxious weed superintendent that works to control noxious weeds within the county that can help identify, treat or give recommendations for weed management.  The county Extension Office is also available for questions or to help direct noxious weed control. 

Noxious weeds and poisonous plants are an unfortunate but very real part of farming, ranching, landscaping and even gardening.  The effects of such plants can be disastrous if they are let go out of control.  Managing these invasive and dangerous plants can seem overwhelming but don’t have to be.  A proactive approach to keeping the unwanted plants at bay will not only make this land healthier, happier, more productive and of course, more beautiful.