FARMERS should continue weeding their fields. The weeds compete with crops for sunlight and nutrients.

According to the Foundation for Farming's conservation agriculture handbook removing weeds when they

are less than 25mm would prevent them from seeding and reproducing.

This can also be achieved through good crop management.

This results in an even crop stand that forms a canopy blocking out the sunlight that is important to weed growth.

The other method is late weed control through hoeing.

Keeping fields free from weeds would assist farmers in reducing moisture loss from the soil, killing any potential weed seeds that may germinate in the future.

It is also part of land preparation for the next season.

Keeping the land free from weeds throughout the year will result in the decline of the weed seed pool and weed control gets easier every season.

Farmers should always remember to:

Hoe weeds when they are very small.

Be precise when planting seeds - ensuring a good early crop canopy to shade out weeds.

Weed throughout the season and again at the end of the growing phase.

Weed by hand or using hand held instruments disturbing the soil as little a possible

Pull or cut-out the weeds.

Farmers are also advised not to dig the fields to prevent soil disturbance.