Kochia weeds have taken over Jake Leguee’s family farm near Fillmore, Sask., growing as tall as his waist. The lentil and flax fields, located about 100 kilometers southeast of Regina, have been overwhelmed by the invasive tumbleweed this year.
According to Leguee, a single kochia plant can cause extensive damage as it multiplies rapidly. Originally known to thrive in dry conditions, kochia’s resistance to herbicides is increasing, posing financial challenges for farmers like Leguee.
The escalating issue has led Leguee to spend significant sums, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, on herbicides to combat the invasive weed. Previously, Group 14 herbicides, which are three times more expensive than older alternatives, were effective against kochia. However, they are now inadequate in eradicating the resilient weeds.
In a bid to address the problem, Leguee invested $100,000 in a weed terminator add-on for his combine last year, but he has yet to see positive results. The spread of kochia, once restricted to southern prairies, is now rapidly advancing northward, causing concern among farmers.
Shaun Sharpe, a specialist in invasive weeds at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, highlighted the northward expansion of kochia into Saskatchewan and Alberta due to climate change and deforestation. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to control the spread of kochia and other herbicide-resistant weeds like waterhemp and palmer amaranth.
Sharpe’s team is actively researching methods to curb the growth of kochia and educating farmers on identifying the species on their lands. The scientists are closely monitoring the spread of these troublesome weeds, anticipating their infiltration into Saskatchewan within the next five years.
Tyler Smith, a botanist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Ontario, raised concerns about the lack of comprehensive research on invasive plant interactions and environmental impacts, hindering efforts to track and manage these weeds effectively.
For Leguee, the battle against kochia continues to impact food production and profitability on his farm. Despite investing in weed control measures, the persistent spread of kochia threatens crop yields and overall farm sustainability, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat these invasive weeds.