Cypress County ASB Weed Control Programs

Implementing weed control programs is one of the most significant ways that the Agricultural Service Board can preserve the productivity of farm and ranch lands in the County. Weeds (or non-native, invasive plant species) can drastically reduce yields of crop or grass lands, thereby increasing costs of food production. Our programs include inspection of public & private land for noxious weeds, roadside spraying as needed, control of noxious or restricted weed patches and release of biological weed control agents. The Weed Control Act is implemented if necessary.

ASB Herbicide Spraying Program

As part of an overall Weed and Vegetation Control Program in the County, the ASB sprays for the control of nuisance, noxious and restricted weeds and brush. Most activities occur throughout the growing season, as follows:

Spraying road shoulders (not ditches) using a non-residual herbicide (Glyphosate) to stop weeds and grass from growing onto the gravel driving surface. Grass on the roadside will still be O.K. to hay. Timing: late April to mid July.
Spraying roadsides reconstructed within the past two years (as grass is established). Timing: May to early August.
Spraying established roadsides as needed, including many roadsides southwest of Medicine Hat in the irrigation area. Timing: July.
Spot spraying roadsides and undeveloped road allowances for field bindweed, Canada thistle, leafy spurge, toadflax, knapweed, showy milkweed, scentless chamomile, blueweed and perennial sow thistle. Timing: May to October.
Spraying of waste transfer stations, parks, campgrounds and other public areas as needed. Timing: May to July.
Spraying of drainage ditches as approved by Alberta Environment.
Spraying the regrowth of previously cut brush. Using a backpack sprayer, a small amount of herbicide is applied to the base of sprouted trees. Timing: September to December.

Herbicides to be used may include Milestone, Amitrol, Arsenal, 2,4-D, Dycleer, Escort, Estaprop (or other 2,4-D+dichlorprop products), Garlon 4, Karmex, Krovar I, Lontrel, Milestone, Roundup (or other glyphosate products), Telar, Tordon 22K, and Transline.

Private Land Spot Spraying of selected noxious weeds in fields or along fencelines may be done on request. Truck sprayers are generally used on farm land and ATVs are used on rangeland.

Roadside spraying immediately adjacent to residences is only done under ideal conditions.

Landholders who do not want spraying done next to their property must contact the Agricultural Fieldman. Weed control in these areas will be the responsibility of the land holder or resident.

ASB Biological Weed Control Program

Since 1986, the ASB has been involved in biocontrol of weeds. The first release was on the noxious weed leafy spurge on Galt Island, in the South Saskatchewan River upstream of the Town of Redcliff. Since then, over 80 releases have been done to try for a long term, inexpensive, permanent weed control solution. Success is slow as floodwaters and microclimates impact the insect or disease agent population.

Details on biocontrol agents in Alberta can be found at Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada's Lethbridge Research Station or McClay Ecoscience.

	Field Bindweed Weed Act classification: Noxious Perennial weed that spreads rapidly by seed and creeping roots. Forms dense tangled mats or twines around other plants, fences, etc. Commonly confused with wild morning glory and wild buckwheat. Easily distinguished by the presence of two small leaf-like bracts on the stem below the flower.
	Scentless Chamomile Weed Act classification: Noxious Annual or winter annual to short lived perennial that spreads by seed (4000,000 seeds/plant). Commonly confused with ox-eye daisy when in flower. Easily distinguished by the finely divided leaves and bushy growth.
	Russian Knapweed Weed Act classification: Prohibited Noxious Perennial that spreads by seed and black creeping roots. Commonly confused with diffuse and spotted knapweed. Easily distinguished as it has neither spots or spines on the flower head.
	Diffuse Knapweed Weed Act classification: Prohibited Noxious Annual to short-lived perennial that spreads by seed. Commonly confused with spotted or Russian knapweed. Easily distinguished as the flower head is covered with prominent spines.
	Spotted Knapweed Weed Act classification: Prohibited Noxious Biennial to short-lived perennial that spreads by seed. Commonly confused with diffuse or Russian knapweed. Easily distinguished by the "spotted" bracts on the flower head.
	Blueweed Weed Act classification: Noxious Biennial to short lived perennial. Commonly found in marginal soils.
	Leafy Spurge Weed Act classification: Noxious Perennial that spreads by seed and creeping roots. Forms dense stands. Commonly confused with cypress spurge. Easily distinguished as the plant is taller and leaves are longer, with less branching in the upper part of the plant.
	Toad Flax Weed Act classification: Noxious Perennial that spreads by seed and creeping roots. Commonly confused with leafy spurge when flowers are absent. Easily distinguished by the absence of milky juice in the plant.
	Canada Thistle Weed Act classification: Noxious Perennial that spreads by seed and creeping roots. Feathery hairs (pappus) attached to seeds to aid in short distance dispersal.

Cypress County Agricultural Services

Weed Control