Leafy Spurge

Current Projects

Economic Impact Assessment of Leafy Spurge in MB

Funded by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives: Growing Forward Program

Leafy spurge is a highly invasive plant species that thrives in many different conditions and situations. It is particularly invasive in native pastures and wild lands. It is also spread along roads, railways and utility lines. In 1999 the Leafy Spurge Stakeholders Group, a broad coalition of agricultural and conservation groups and the three levels of government, undertook a collaborative project to assess the economic impact of leafy spurge in Manitoba. The outcome of the project was the Leafy Spurge Economic Impact Assessment – Manitoba 1999. At the time, the assessment found that (a) the net economic impacts associated was approaching $20 million based on the direct and indirect losses of the reduced livestock grazing capacity of approximately 340,000 acres of infested grazing land and the estimated control costs for rights-of-way.

Ten years later, the rate of infestation (distribution) and the level of infestation of leafy spurge (density) continue to raise several serious concerns particularly from producers, land managers and policy makers. These concerns include the need to conserve prairie ecosystem biodiversity; the threat of spurge to species at risk; the amount of resources needed for leafy spurge early detection, management, or eradication; and, proposed adjustments to current public policies and legislation. In 2009, the Rural Development Institute, on behalf of the Leafy Spurge Stakeholders Group, initiated an update of the economic impact on leafy spurge in Manitoba. This economic impact will utilize the 1999 Economic Impact Assessment as a starting point and update economic and geographic data. It will also use publicly available spatial and existing economic variables. On-going consultation with stakeholders will verify the accuracy and usefulness of the assessment.

Pathway Prevention of Invasive Species

Funded by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives: Growing Forward Program

Leafy spurge is on the World Conservation Union’s list of the 100 worst invasive aliens species. In Manitoba, leafy spurge represents a threat to biodiversity in both nature lands and agricultural lands. It is estimated the annual cost to Manitoba from leafy spurge infestations exceeds $20 million. To successfully prevent future infestations, all stakeholders need to be aware of the situation, equipped to prevent future infestations, and manage current infestations. Building capacity among stakeholders is essential for the prevention and management of invasive species.

Objectives

  1. To increase awareness of invasive species pathway for the prevention of leafy spurge infestations in Manitoba; and
  2. To enhance communication and education of leafy spurge prevention and management to producers, land owners, land managers, municipalities, government, and industry/private sector
  3. To increase awareness and effective management of leafy spurge bio-control agents
The anticipated benefits of this project include:
  • increased understanding of leafy spurge pathways by producers, land owners, municipalities, and industry;
  • Increased capacity of producers, land owners, municipalities, and industry to use and manage bio-control agents for the control of leafy spurge

The project will assist in reducing potential impacts to the environmental while supporting agricultural sustainability in three areas: the project will promote an integrated pest management approach will contribute to agricultural sustainability; the project will increase the use of bio-control agents which in turn will decrease in the use of herbicide applications in agricultural areas of Manitoba; and an outcome of appropriate and effective invasive species management is increasing the productivity and sustainability of land resources.

Environmental responsibility is also a key concern of the project. At the onset of the project, project personnel will be instructed on proper preventative measures to ensure the spread of invasive species does not occur. A component of all communication and education activities will be highlighting key information on environmental responsibility.

Previous Projects

  • Increasing Awareness of Control Methods: A Leafy Spurge Demonstration Site (2009-2010). Funding from the Brandon Soils Management Association.
  • Leafy Spurge Rangeland Control and Management (2008-2009). Funding from the Greencover Canada Technical Assistance Program.
  • Public awareness initiative/resource collection (1998-1999). Funding from Covering New Ground.
  • Impact assessment study, leafy spurge data collection (1999-2000). Funding from Covering New Ground.
  • Impact assessment study, public awareness, field research (2000-2001). Funding from Covering New Ground.
  • Impact of biological control on leafy spurge in Manitoba (2000-2001). Funding from Matching Investment Initiatives, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
  • Bio-control of leafy spurge in support of recovery of species at risk (2001). Funding from Species at Risk.
  • Producer awareness, IPM manual for landowners/managers (2001-2002). Funding from Covering New Ground.
  • Increased forage production through bio-control of leafy spurge (2001-2002). Funding from Covering New Ground.
  • Development of integrated management strategies for selected sites (2001). Funding from Ducks Unlimited.
  • Impact of biological control on leafy spurge in Manitoba, Year II (2001-2002). Funding from Matching Investment Initiatives, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
  • Bio-control of leafy spurge in support of recovery of Species at Risk, Year II (2002-2003). Funding from Species at Risk.
  • Impact of biological control on leafy spurge in Manitoba, Year III (2002-2003). Matching Investment Initiatives, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
  • Innovative and sustainable practices for the control of leafy spurge in Manitoba (2002-2003). Funding from Sustainable Development and Innovation Fund.
  • Municipal management plans for controlling leafy spurge (2003-2004). Funding from Covering New Ground.
  • Assisting landowners/managers with establishing, implementing and sustaining integrated pest management plans (IPM) for Leafy Spurge (2004-2005). Funding from Covering New Ground.
  • Managing invasive species – leafy spurge control (2005-2007). Funding from Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative.
  • On the ground: Leafy spurge surveillance and management and towards establishing an invasive plants council for the Province of Manitoba (2006-2007). Funding from Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program.