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June 24, 2026 - Clean Feed, Clean Fields 

Don’t let weeds hitch a ride in your hay.

Clearwater County residents know better than anyone that once an invasive weed gets a foothold, it never stays put. It spreads – quickly – across hay fields, pastures, crown land, and grazing leases. One of the fastest ways weeds move onto agricultural land is through contaminated forage. That’s exactly why high quality, weed free forage is what we are all about.  

Did you know that high quality forage typically has a total digestible nutrients (TDN) of 65 per cent or higher? Let’s get your TDN up! The Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC) Weed Free Forage Program is more relevant than ever: practical, preventative, and gaining traction among landowners. In a county built on cattle, forage, and backcountry access, keeping weeds at bay is both good stewardship and good business.  

The primary weeds of concern include Tall Buttercup, Canada Thistle, Oxeye Daisy, Wild Caraway, and White Cockle – just to name a few. These aren’t just unwanted plants. Noxious weeds are invasive species that choke out forage crops, reducing yields and cutting into farmers bottom lines.  

Which is why the County enforces the Weed Control Act to ensure landowners control weeds effectively. These weeds are excellent hitchhikers, entering landed through truck tires, weedy bales, and dirty farm equipment. With Clearwater County’s mix of agriculture, oil and gas, and backcountry recreation, the county is a hotspot for weed spread. However, the Weed Free Forage Program is a barricade to keep those hitchhiking weeds out.  

Competition is crucial. Working up a field and leaving it unseeded is an open invitation for weeds. A dense, healthy forage stand, however, is one of the best defenses against weed establishment. High quality forage starts with strong soil health. One longtime favorite forage crop is alfalfa, as it naturally adds more nitrogen to the soil; consider incorporating legumes into your crop rotation to boost nutrient levels in your soil. Another cornerstone is perennial grasses, which do not require annual reseeding and provide year-round ground cover. Their continuous, dense growth reduces maintenance costs overtime and stabilizes soil health, leaving little room for weeds to take hold.  

Best practices for producing high quality forage include multi species cropping (combining perennial grasses with legumes), implementing a rotational grazing system, maintaining intentional crop rotations, and applying herbicides according to the label. This integrated approach is the surest path to achieving weed free forage!

The County is committed to promoting weed free forage because we care about protecting your bottom line. For farmers in Clearwater County, cleaner fields, higher forage quality, stronger market competitiveness, and lower long-term costs all pay off. That’s why we recommend scouting early, as field edges are often the first-place weeds show up. Consider attending Weed Workshops to stay current on herbicide applications and to plan ahead for the weed control season before the window closes. 

Being a good neighbor also means avoiding cutting and bailing infested fields, since these hitchhiking weeds spread easily during transportation. This is precisely why management before the weeds go to seed and before bailing time rolls around is key for long term control.

Did you know that, in partnership with AISC, Clearwater County can survey and certify Weed Free Forage? Let’s ensure that these unwanted hitchhiking weeds don’t reduce your TDN or spread to your neighbors. Remember high quality forage leads to stronger herds and stronger bottom lines. For more information, call 403-845-4444, visit www.clearwatercounty.ca, or come into the Agriculture and Community Services offices.