ST. PAUL – The ox-eye Daisy is beautiful, with its white petals and vibrant yellow centre. But the County of St. Paul reminds the public that the plant is a noxious weed.
On July 5, the County posted on social media information on ox-eye daisy, why it is a concern, and how to control it.
County of St. Paul Agriculture Fieldman Keith Kornelsen said while ox-eye daisy is beautiful, “I think people often just don’t know it’s a weed.” He said landowners are required by law to make efforts to control it.
As a noxious weed, the ox-eye daisy “must” be controlled under the Alberta’s Weed Control Act. This means a municipality may conduct control programs if they believe noxious weeds have “significant” ecological and economic impact.
“So, that’s kind of why we’re trying to draw attention to it,” he said, adding that the weed outcompetes grass and cattle. Eventually, “because the cattle go around eating grass and other plants,” all that would remain is the ox-eye daisy. “And it’s very difficult to control.”
Information from Agriculture and Irrigation Alberta indicates that ox-eye daisy reduces crop yields and the carrying capacity of infested pastures. When eaten by wildlife or livestock, the ox-eye daisy taints their milk and meat.
“That’s why when you see it on your property... it’s a good idea to control it... because it does move,” and poses a risk to the agriculture industry. “Even your front lawn... it’ll eventually take over,” he said.
Kornelsen also reminds owners that as per the Weed Control Act, Alberta has a schedule of declared noxious and prohibited noxious weeds. Ox-eye daisy belongs to the former.
For prohibited noxious weeds, “they are required to destroy the plant as soon as they find out about it,” said Kornelsen.
The full list of declared noxious and prohibited noxious weeds is available at the Alberta website: alberta.ca/weeds.aspx