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June 25, 2025 - Weed Spread in Baled Forage

The first question hay buyers should ask is, “Are there any weeds?”

Recent much needed rain throughout Clearwater County has helped boost struggling pastures, crop land and hayfields. The effects of consecutive drought years have taken a toll, creating speculation and inflationary pricing on recently baled hay. 

But that happens every year. Fear of a possible shortage fosters an overreaction before most crops have even been cut. While the dry spring was tough on older crops, newer hay stands are doing well.

Of greater concern is the fact that along with livestock, wildlife, industry, and recreation, hay movement is one of the greatest vectors for the transmission of invasive weed species. 

Buyers need to be aware that they could be buying a serious infestation of noxious weeds with their load of new hay. It can be very frustrating to discover a large weed outbreak taking over areas of pasture where winter feeding took place. The headache of trying to control it can go on for many years, if not indefinitely. 

Hay buyers can protect themselves from weed headaches by purchasing forage grown locally from neighbours who don’t have serious weed infestations in their hay, or producers who others have bought from with success. 

Given the potential for hay sales to drought-stricken areas this season, producers should be aware that they have a responsibility to make purchasers aware of potential weed contamination in the product they sell. After all, that is what good reputations are built on.   

If contaminated forage is fed, most weed seeds will survive the digestive tract and be deposited elsewhere. In the case of leased land, that may mean the introduction of invasive species to neighbouring pastures or sensitive recreational areas, even if the contaminated forage is not fed there.

Increasingly, both National and Provincial Parks are requiring visitors to feed only processed hay cubes or certified weed free forage to their equines. A growing problem of invasive weed species overtaking native range is reducing the food supply for native ungulates in these areas.

The Alberta Certified Weed Free Hay Program, based on the standards of the North American Weed Free Forage Certification Program, approves producers who meet the inspection criteria. Increasingly popular, the certified hay usually sells for a premium. 

It is much easier to spot weeds in hay fields before harvest than it is to identify them after the forage has been baled. Buying locally whenever possible, provides the advantage of being able to personally inspect fields prior to purchasing forage while applying knowledge of local weed issues. 

Often a simple drive-by from the road will indicate what invasive species may be present. If a more detailed look is required, then a discussion with the forage producer is a good idea. Responsible producers will be equally concerned with weed spread and may choose to control the weeds before harvest.

Invasive weed species frequently grow in patches, or monocultures, that can be cut and baled separately. In such cases, the infested forage may be retained by the landowner and fed in a contained environment where control of the potential spread is more easily achieved.

It may not always be possible to visit the area of production, particularly in years when shortages due to drought or other circumstances require that baled forage be trucked long distances.

In such cases, it is prudent to ask questions as to the presence of weeds and the location of where the forage was baled. The primary queries about composition, quality and moisture content are integral, but the potential presence of noxious weeds is paramount.

In addition to speaking to the producer, a call to the agriculture department of the local municipality will usually provide a wealth of information about local conditions, average price of hay, predominant weeds and even the specific weed status of the hay land in question.

Machinery hygiene is often overlooked as equipment is moved from one area to another, unknowingly spreading weed seeds to new locations. Recreational ATV use is also a vector for the transfer of invasive weed species, particularly in the west country. 

For landowners who may be having their crop harvested on a custom basis, it is reasonable to insist that all equipment be thoroughly cleaned before entering their land, or when moving from one field to another, if there is any potential for contamination between parcels.

The Clearwater County Agriculture and Community Services Department administers the weed free hay program locally and can certify producers who meet the requirements. 

For further information regarding the program, certified producers in the area, or assistance with herbicide application or weed identification, feel free to give us a call at 403-846-4040.