Low nutritional value

In the research project "Neophyte Management," the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein demonstrated during the 2020 growing season that the three investigated invasive neophytic plant species—Japanese knotweed ( Fallopia japonica ), Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera ), and Canadian goldenrod ( Solidago canadensis )—exhibited very low forage value throughout their development, except for very young plants. Furthermore, the use of Himalayan balsam as forage is categorically unacceptable due to its extremely high water content and poor preservation properties (fermentation sap production, undesirable fermentation). Silage of Japanese knotweed and goldenrod performed moderately well. The ensiled goldenrod had an intense odor. It would be worthwhile to investigate whether this would result in reduced feed acceptance when presented to livestock. Regarding the utilization of Japanese knotweed or goldenrod via ruminants, it must be said that its use as a supplementary feed in a mixed ration via silage would be very limited.