Leafy spurge outcompetes native grasses for light, water, nutrients and space, growing up to one metre tall. The weed has invaded millions of acres on the Prairies. 

Fertilizer to fight leafy spurge

Applying fertilizer could encourage soil fungi in Western Canadian pastures to become parasitic and sap resources from leafy spurge plants if the soil nutrients are rich enough —at least, that’s the idea behind recent research out of Saskatchewan

Leafy spurge is a tenacious, invasive pasture weed in Western Canada. New research suggests that fertilizer may have a role in how farmers can better beat back the threat and reclaim productivity on that grazing land.






A cow leads her calf to higher ground near Vogar, Man., in 2011 as Lake Manitoba over flows onto surrounding ranch land.

Manitoba beef producers still feeling the 2011 flood, 14 years later

It’s been 14 years since flooding submerged pastures and hay fields around Lake Manitoba and other parts of western Manitoba, but beef producers can still count their cost from the disaster

It’s been 14 years since flooding submerged pastures and hay fields around Lake Manitoba and other parts of western Manitoba, but beef producers can still count their cost from the disaster.


Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn (left) and Premier Wab Kinew (center) announce Crown land rent changes in 2023.

No auctions this year for forage Crown land

The province says they’re taking more time to review how changes have impacted Agricultural Crown Lands used for haying or grazing

The Manitoba government says forage Crown land lease auctions are paused this year as they review how changes have impacted Agricultural Crown Lands used for haying or grazing