Weed Free Feeds
Why?

Many weeds have pretty flowers but they are a growing pain. They crowd out native plants, harm animal habitats and increase erosion.

Weed free is an Executive Order that applies to all federal lands -- nationwide. And beginning April 2004, all National Forest Service (NFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS) lands in California will require the use of certified Weed Free Feed (Forage) when horse camping, packing or staying on federal lands for periods of time.

According to the National Forest Service thousands of acres of public lands nationwide are being lost each day to invasive non-native weeds. Although California does not have a severe weed problem in its National Forests as compared to the Rocky Mountains or Pacific Northwest Region, the steady march and invasion of Yellow Starthistle is a good example of why a weed free program is being undertaken in California. By establishing a weed free program plus other recommendations and required policy for all public land users -- not just horsemen but hikers, bikers, off-road-vehicles, backpackers and more -- what's happened in other states and already on some California public lands can be avoided and eliminated.

Weed free feed (or forage as agencies refer to it) is baled hays, grasses, alfalfa or any baled combination plus straw and mulch. Cubes are not considered weed free unless they are processed from fields which have been certified as weed free. In other words, baled feed and cubes used not just in National Forest Wilderness Areas but on ALL National Forest, BLM and Park Service lands has to be certified weed. When trail riding on NFS, BLM or NPS lands for any length of time -- half an hour, two hours or all day -- these three agencies are suggesting that horses be "purged for 12 hours by the feeding of certified weed free feed". Exempt from the Certification requirements are sacked pellets (which are felt to be weed free because of the heat process they go through) and grains (although there is still concern about weed contents on some sack labels).

As noxious weeds continue to pop up throughout the nation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the US Forest Service (USFS), and the National Park Service (NPS) have begun to work together towards preventative measures. Combined, these three federal agencies oversee 541.7 million acres of U.S. land, and have been three of the main players in instituting weed free forage programs in a number of states. Federal land managers already actively control weeds through mechanical, biological, and chemical controls. But recently attention has turned to preventing the arrival of weeds on federal land, and agencies have looked towards weed-contaminated animal feed as a source of invasive plants.

Federal lands host recreational horseback riders, horse packers, and livestock, and with these animals comes straw and hay. Forage containing weed seeds may fall from bails or reach the ground through animal manure and lead to the establishment of new noxious weed populations. Several aggressive weeds are thought to have entered federally protected areas from weed seed contained in horse packers' hay and straw. In addition, straw bales used in construction or for erosion control may introduce undesired weed seeds.

Federal, state, and local agencies have combined forces to institute hay certification programs in a number of states. Within a weed free forage program, responsibility is divided among the different agencies to maintain certain aspects of the program. The BLM, USFS, or NPS can issue closure orders for certain regions, closing their lands to hay and straw not certified to be weed-free. Certified forage is then required for animal feed and for mulches used in erosion control, construction, or on rights-of-way. Ranchers with grazing livestock would be largely unaffected by closure orders because the USFS and BLM do not allow supplemental feeding of animals on their land. In addition to issuing closures, BLM, USFS, and NPS enforce the use of certified forage on their lands. State and local agencies work to set and implement a certification program for weed-free forage. County staff inspects crops in the field prior to harvest and certify feed that is free of weeds.

While interest in weed-free feed programs continues to increase, some groups have also voiced their concerns over such requirements. The California Cattleman's Association supports efforts to control noxious weeds, but worries that outfitters, guides, and horseback riders will bear the burden of such a program in the form of increased feed costs. While the issue of "who pays" remains, it is undoubtedly more efficient, and cost-effective, to prevent the introduction of invasive weeds than to attempt to control established populations.

Ultimately the success of a weed-free forage program will depend on how well each agency fulfills its role. County inspections must truly ensure that forage is free of noxious weeds, and federal landowners must enforce their closure orders to prevent the use of non-certified feed in closed areas. Examining established programs in other states should provide information on their effectiveness in excluding invasive weeds, and should allow the development of a California program to run more smoothly. Weed-free forage programs on federal lands appear to be an increasingly popular prevention tool as the nation continues to step up efforts to control noxious weeds.

For more information, go to the The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and The National Park Service (NPS) websites and explore. They should be able to steer you toward sources of Weed free feed for the areas you are planning to visit.

Take care and have many happy and safe adventures this year!