Originating from eastern Europe and Asia, Kochia was brought to North America in the 1800’s as an ornamental garden plant. Often called a tumbleweed in the winter as it blows across harvested fields. Over the past couple of years, Kochia has become increasingly problematic in the Peace Region and Birch Hills County.
On November 12th, 2026, Birch Hills County passed a bylaw to elevate Kochia to noxious status under the Weed Control Act. Landowners are now required to control it. Kochia’s ability to grow quickly and produce tens of thousands of seeds, coupled with the development of herbicide resistance, have accelerated the spread of Kochia throughout Alberta.
Commonly found in cereal crops, road edges, and disturbed soil, Kochia will outgrow crops and grasses. Thick clusters of plants can easily reach 4 to 5 feet tall in a short time even in dry conditions. In the fall, Kochia turns red and hardens off. Fall and winter winds then break off the dry plants, and they roll across open ground dispersing up to 25,000 seeds.
Decades of herbicide application have developed into group 2, 4, 9 and 14 herbicide resistance. This has made it difficult to get control even with multiple herbicide group tank mixes. The best defense is early detection and then early herbicide application. Some group 2 and 4 herbicides with 2,4-D and dicamba are effective on plants under 15cm tall. Mixed 2,4-D and fluroxypyr herbicides could extend that control up to 50cm tall. If herbicide application doesn’t work or plant stage is too advanced, the only option may be mechanical control such as hand pulling, cultivation or mowing.
In the past Kochia has been used to get livestock through drought conditions. However, caution should be used if used as feed as several studies have shown that even in a short period oxalate poisoning can occur. Symptoms include laboured breathing, depression, weakness, coma and death.
Kochia will be an ongoing problem for producers and infrastructure maintenance. With a good integrated pest management plan, and early detection progress can be made to limit the spread of Kochia.
For more information, contact our Director of Agriculture Services at agfieldman@birchhillscounty.com or 780-694-3793