The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) and industry partners have completed the CAAP (Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program) project, "Invasive Plant Species Management Strategies: Capacity Building for Saskatchewan's Forage & Livestock Industry."
Invasive plant species are present in Saskatchewan and are often found established within forage acres. These invasive plant species pose a very real and significant threat. This extensive three year project provided the resources to path find and pilot solution for the forage and livestock industry to deal with this ever-growing threat of invasive plant species. A proactive approach was taken to develop the capacity and tools to respond to the issue and pilot practical measures across the wider industry. Project objectives included increasing Saskatchewan producers’ awareness of invasive plant species and also assessed existing weed-free forage certification programs and the potential for these to be adapted for Saskatchewan use.
The project was very successful in meeting its original objectives. Awareness of the threat of invasive plant species was increased and an in depth assessment of existing weed-free forage certification programs and opportunities for a provincial program were fully evaluated. Clearly, there is much work left to be done but this project fulfilled its role to initiate the conversation, bring industry partners together on this critical issue, and identify next steps.
To view the Project Final Report, click here. To view the Strategic Assessment Report, click here. To view the Facilitated Focus Group Report, click here. To view the Project Summary, click here.
The education and awareness component of this project involved the creation of a series of five Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) factsheets focusing on the prevention and control of invasive plant species within various sectors of the forage industry including FORAGE SEED, GRAZING, RIPARIAN, HAY, and TRANSPORTATION
. It also involved the creation of the SASKATCHEWAN INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFICATION GUIDE. The ID Guide focuses on the many invasive plant species that are pertinent to SK and provides plant characteristics and information about each species.
To view or download online versions of the Factsheets, click here.
To view or download an online version of the ID Guide, click here.
Print copies of all the Factsheets and the ID Guides are available by contacting the SFC at 306.969.2666 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). In Saskatchewan, this program is delivered by the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan. A project steering committee participated in the project’s activities, design and delivery and included representatives from the following organizations/agencies: Saskatchewan Forage Council, Frenchman-Wood River Weed Management Area, Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Additional support (financial and in-kind) for this project was provided by Crossing the Medicine Line Network, SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskTel, True North Specialty Products, ConocoPhillips, Dow AgroSciences and Canada North Environmental Services.
