Yellowhead County’s Agricultural Services Department will be spraying roadsides within the county starting May to mid/late September.

Spraying is dependent on weather conditions and length of growing season. Spot herbicide applications and other integrated management practices will be used throughout the County to control weeds and brush species.

Spraying of roadsides is done to control the spread of prohibited noxious and noxious weeds and re-growth of small brush. Most weed species are very prolific seed producers and can produce as many as 300,000 seeds per plant. 

These seeds can then germinate the following growing season or lay dormant in the soil for a number of years until growing conditions are favourable for germination.  Many deep-rooted perennials spread via the root system, therefore a single plant left alone can result in a heavy infestation in a relatively short period of time.

Weed infestations can invade and become the dominant plant species on any given parcel of land causing a number of problems such as:

• They pose a serious environmental threat to native vegetation and habitats in sensitive areas because of their competitive nature.
• They limit light and moisture availability to cereal and hay crops thus reducing yields and resulting in dockage.
• They are expensive to control for adjacent landowners who are subject to their spread.
• They obstruct visibility along roadsides and intersections.
• They are responsible for livestock poisoning.
• They can pose a serious fire hazard.

Brush left to grow along roadsides also poses various problems:

• The obstruction of visibility along roadsides and intersections. means unseen wildlife wandering onto roadways.
• Roads tend to retain moisture longer requiring more maintenance.
• Creates snow removal and dust trap problems.
• Create the potential for a serious fire hazard.

The herbicides which will be used this upcoming season include:

• Lontrel 360 – PCP #23545
• Escort – PCP #23005
• ClearView – PCP #29752
• VP480 – PCP #28840
• Arsenal – PCP #23713
• Arsenal Powerline – PCP #30203
• Garlon RTU – PCP #29334
• Garlon XRT – PCP #28945
• 2,4-D Amine – PCP #14726
• Milestone – PCP #28517
• Navius Flex – PCP #30922
• Esplanade – PCP #31333
• Roundup Weathermax – PCP #27487
• Roundup WeatherPRO – PCP #33653
• Killex – PCP #27801
• Hasten – PCP #28277

Some of these herbicides have residual characteristics so ratepayers should not be using roadside soil in their gardens.

These products are best suited for Yellowhead County’s Vegetation Management Plan. Residents who have any questions about the program should contact the Agricultural Services Department at 1-800-814-3935 or (780) 325-3782.