Story of the Weeds: Breakfast Plot Tour Recap
Tuesday August 26, producers, county partners, and community members joined us in Lac Ste. Anne County for the Story of the Weeds Breakfast Plot Tour. We started the day with a breakfast at our shop and classroom sessions featuring guest speakers, then headed across the river to tour our weed suppression plots and try out some new tools.
Exploring Weed Ecology and Control
The morning began with presentations highlighting the persistence and adaptability of weeds. Dawn Hurst, Agricultural Services Manager with Woodlands County, shared insights into the life cycles and strategies that make weeds such tough competitors. From long-lived seed banks to creeping root systems and allelopathy, her talk underscored why integrated approaches are needed for long-term control.
We also welcomed Natalie LaForest, PhD candidate with the University of Alberta and Weed Specialist with Organic Alberta. Natalie explored the relationship between weeds and their environments—how soil type, light, fertility, and moisture influence which species thrive. She also introduced participants to ongoing research into biological control, including insects that prey on weed seeds or weaken plants before they set seed.
The Thistle Rust Fungus Project
Farming Forward staff also shared updates on our thistle rust fungus project. This naturally occurring fungus, which infects Canada thistle, shows promise as a low-cost biological control. By collecting infected plants and creating an inoculum, we aim to help spread the fungus into uninfected patches. Over time, infected thistles weaken and die back, reducing infestations without the need for herbicides.
Weed Suppression Trials in the Field
After the classroom sessions, participants crossed the river to tour Farming Forward’s weed suppression research plots. Each 21 x 22 metre plot is testing a different approach:
A diverse weed suppression polycrop blend
A conventional herbicide treatment
An application of Eco-Tea, a biological product
An untreated check for comparison
These plots, seeded in June, are designed to evaluate weed density, biomass, and species composition, as well as impacts on crop yield and soil quality. Early observations suggest the polycrop is establishing quickly and outcompeting weeds, while Eco-Tea as a seed dressing encouraged faster germination.
New Tools in the Fight Against Weeds
Although a planned steam weeding demo couldn’t go ahead due to equipment issues, participants had the chance to join a virtual demonstration of the Weed Zapper with Guillaume Leroux from Quebec. The Weed Zapper uses high-voltage electricity to kill weeds above the crop canopy. While not yet widely used in Western Canada, it sparked plenty of discussion about its potential applications on farms here.
Back at the plots, Farming Forward also showcased our new soil sampling truck, giving a short demonstration of how we’ll be using it to support local producers with soil testing.
Looking Ahead
The Story of the Weeds tour was a chance to learn, share experiences, and see firsthand how different suppression strategies perform in our region’s Dark Grey Chernozemic soils. A big thank-you goes to our speakers, our seed donor Imperial Seed, Organic Alberta, RDAR, Lac Ste. Anne county, Woodlands County and all who came out to join the conversation.
Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses—we’ll continue monitoring the plots and sharing results through our blog, newsletter, and upcoming field days.
