Leafy Spurge Forum Proceedings

The Leafy Spurge Forum is one of the first steps towards the development of a province-wide recognition of the devastating impacts of leafy spurge. Understanding of the problem must include acknowledgement that leafy spurge affects not only agricultural land, but also recreational land and wildlife management areas. Without intervention, the impacted acres (and associated economic impacts) will increase rapidly. The following is the proceedings from the two day event held January 16-17, 2003 in Brandon, Manitoba.

Text Box: The challenge is to provide a coordinated, planned and integrated effort in controlling and managing leafy spurge. In Manitoba, leafy spurge is an invasive weed species that threatens an estimated 340,000 acres. The Economic Impact Assessment conducted by a Working Group of the LSSG in 1999 estimates that the net economic impacts associated with the leafy spurge infestation in Manitoba may be approaching $20 million per year.

The total annual economic impact on pasture land in Manitoba is estimated at $16 million. An estimated 225,000 acres of grazing land is infested, with a potential impact of a reduced herd size of 16,540 head. Leafy spurge costs Manitobans more than $5 million per year in reduced producer income ($1,940,040 per year) and reduced production expenditures ($3,104,044).

Potential secondary economic impacts on other business sectors are estimated at $11 million per year. Additionally, land values are potentially reduced by over $30 million, having potential property tax implications for owners of croplands. While taxes on infested acres may be reduced, other lands will have to make up the lost revenue.

Text Box: Stakeholders unanimously agree that the infestation levels of leafy spurge in the Province of Manitoba are a serious concern, that the problem is growing, and that a concerted effort needs to be undertaken to deal with the problem.
Indications are that, without intervention, the impacted acres (and associated economic impacts) will increase rapidly. The LSSG, a broad coalition of agricultural and conservation groups and all three levels of government, was formed in the fall of 1998 to examine the issues and impacts of leafy spurge. The Rural Development Institute of Brandon University provides coordination and project management to the LSSG.

The goals of the LSSG are to:1) design a process whereby an integrated and comprehensive approach to a province-wide strategy can be effectively and efficiently implemented. It is hoped that the RDI / LSSG partnership will result in the establishment of a centre of excellence for leafy spurge issues and research in the Province of Manitoba; and 2) design a strategy or strategies to reduce levels of leafy spurge infestation in those areas of the province most severely affected.

To view the papers and presentations of the January 16-17 2003 Leafy Spurge Forum click here.

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