At its regular meeting April 14, Northern Sunrise County council gave third reading to Bylaw B484/26 Elevation of Weed to Noxious Designation.
Council gave first and second readings for the bylaw at the March 24 council meeting. The bylaw then received ministerial approval on March 27 and required a third reading by council.
Northern Sunrise County Reeve Claude Rodrigue says kochia is an emerging species of concern due to how difficult it is to control.
“It has already developed resistance to multiple herbicide groups, spreads very easily, and can thrive in harsh conditions such as drought, extreme temperatures, and saline soils where many other plants cannot survive,” explains Rodrigue.
“As a tumbleweed, kochia can break off and travel more than a kilometre, dispersing as many as 100,000 seeds per plant. It is already a major challenge in southern Alberta and continues to spread north, with confirmed sightings as far as Hawk Hills (northeast of Manning).”
Rodrigue says adding it to the noxious weed list allows for earlier, more coordinated action.
“Kochia is commonly found in cereal crops, along roadsides, and in disturbed soils, where it can outcompete crops and native grasses, reducing yields,” Rodrigue explains.
“It also poses a risk to livestock, as it can be toxic and, in some cases, fatal if consumed in large quantities.
“Further, invasive species are estimated to cost Alberta’s economy approximately $2.1 billion annually and threaten long-term agricultural productivity.”
Rodrigue explains managing species like kochia helps protect both producers and the wider economy.
“By elevating kochia to noxious designation in the county, we can have clearer authority to regulate, monitor, and respond to its spread,” he notes.
“This is particularly important because kochia is not currently designated under provincial legislation. The designation enables a more proactive and coordinated local response.”
The County currently uses a combination of tools, including its inspection program, public education through newsletters and Ag Matters, and direct outreach to landowners.
“These efforts are focused on increasing awareness, encouraging early detection, and supporting timely control measures,” Rodrigue adds.
“Kochia can be managed through mechanical methods such as mowing or hand-pulling, particularly before the plant sets seed.”
Rodrigue adds selective herbicides may also be used where appropriate; however, resistance is already a concern, so chemical control alone may not be sufficient. Effective long-term management relies on integrated approaches, including diverse crop rotations and, in saline areas, the use of perennial forages to reduce establishment.
“Council gave third reading to the bylaw on April 14,” Rodrigue says. “The recommendation to add kochia to the noxious weed list came from the Agricultural Service Board as part of a proactive strategy to manage and prevent further spread of this species.”
Emily Plihal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter – South Peace News – southpeacenews.com
By Emily Plihal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Apr 22, 2026 at 11:50
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