Agriculture and Food Canada researchers are conducting weed management studies across the Prairies.
According to the AAFC, weeds are one of the biggest threats to farmland on Canada's prairies, and management solutions are “essential” to ensure farmland remains protected, healthy and productive.
According to the AAFC, the researchers are using a “multi-faceted” approach called “integrated weed management” to help farmers put the right tools in place to better manage weeds that affect their operations.
Officials suggest weed management is crucial across the prairies because weeds compete for resources such as water and nutrients, reducing crop yields and diminishing food for consumers.
Four people have currently been identified to carry out AAFC research: Julia Leeson, who will be conducting field surveys across the prairies to identify problem areas; Charles Geddes, who is looking at ways to control weeds in farmers' fields by making them vulnerable to crop treatments; Sean Sharp, who is investigating the effects of smoke on weeds to stop them growing altogether; and Breanne Tydeman, who has identified several solutions including weed seed control.
In Grande Prairie, the weed has proven to be a problem throughout the area, including the city, and many city and county departments have taken control measures.
