Biological Controls (Weevils) | CHAP | Fenceline Program
Biological Controls
Canada Thistle Stem Mining Weevil
If you’re looking for an option to control Canada thistle besides using herbicides, handpicking or mowing, this biological control agent may be right for you.
The Canada thistle Stem Mining Weevil (Hadroplontus litura) was introduced from Europe to Canada in 1965 and to the USA in the early 1970’s to feed on Canada thistle. The weevil restricts its feeding to this weed and a few close relatives. Weevil feeding may allow a variety of other micro-organisms to enter the thistle stem, with adverse consequences for the thistle: field studies in Montana indicated that underground parts of stems are much more subject to winter kill if the above ground stem is attacked by weevils during the growing season.
West Central Forage Association has been working with local producers on the release of these weevils for years. Sites, where weevils have been released, have generally shown decreased stand vigour and patches thin out over time. In 2012, 50 dishes (each containing 105 weevils) were brought up from Montana for producers in the West Central Region who were interested in the purchase and release them in thistle patches. Added to this, were 58 dishes for a regional trial set up by the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta. Yellowhead County also releases these weevils along the edges of rivers, lakes and streams, and in or near right-of-ways where herbicide application is prohibited.
If you are interested in purchasing some Weevils please contact:
West Central Forage Association
1-780-727-4447
conservationag@westcentralforage.com
Weevil Summary Sheet with Before & After Images
C.H.A.P. (Custom Herbicide Application Program)
Yellowhead County Agricultural Services Board has approved a Custom Herbicide Application Program to control Noxious and/or Prohibited Noxious weeds on private property.
This program will help Yellowhead County residents control weeds where the options of hiring a contractor and renting or purchasing spray equipment are not feasible. The program will be run on a first-come, first-serve basis during the spraying season and as weather permits.
The herbicide will be applied onto the private land, not exceeding 20 acres. Sites will be pre-inspected to determine if the property qualifies for the program and what equipment and herbicide will be necessary.
The landowner will be asked to sign a release allowing the County access to the property and permission to use herbicide as agreed upon by the landowner and Yellowhead County Agricultural Services Staff. Pricing will depend on the area sprayed and the herbicide used. Upon completion, landowners will receive an invoice for the work performed.
Yellowhead County has added CHAP to enhance services to the residents of Yellowhead County in addition to the existing Roadside Vegetation Management Plan and Weed Inspection Program.
If you would like more information on this or any Agricultural Services Programs or to register for CHAP please contact the Agricultural Services Department in Wildwood at 1-800-814-3935.
Fence Line Program
The Fence Line Program helps to control Noxious and/or Prohibited Noxious weeds and encroaching brush along fence lines on private property adjacent to Yellowhead County roads and right-of-ways.
The Fence Line Program will allow Yellowhead County-owned vehicles and equipment to enter the private land and apply herbicide from the fence line to the County Right of Way. This program will help control weeds and brush without the chances of overspray onto private land where sensitive crops or trees may be located.
The herbicide will only be applied to County-owned land and not onto the private land; exceptions are made for fields used for agricultural purposes where landowners may choose to have the four-foot strip from the fence line to their crop sprayed that larger spray equipment or cultivators tend to miss. Sites will be pre-inspected to determine if the property qualifies for the program and what equipment and herbicide will be necessary.
The landowner will be asked to sign a release allowing the County access to the property and permission to use herbicide as agreed upon by the landowner and Yellowhead County Agricultural Services Staff. This program will be completed on a first come first served basis and at no charge to landowners.
Yellowhead County has added the Fence Line Program to enhance services to the residents of Yellowhead County in addition to the existing Roadside Vegetation Management Plan.
If you would like more information on this or any Agricultural Services Programs or to register for the Fence Line Program please contact the Agricultural Services Department in Wildwood at 1 800-814-3935.