Who says dandelion is just a "cosmetic" weed? Dandelion is in fact a serious agricultural concern and can cause significant production loss in hayfields/forage crops. Grant in a hay meadow in R.M. of Lorne (May 2006)
Argyle-Lorne – submitted by Grant Shewfelt
The Argyle-Lorne-Somerset Weed District came into being in January 1965. Ed Hink was hired as the first weed supervisor followed by Gary VanDenBussche, Remi Messner, and currently Grant Shewfelt. The district is located in South-Central Manitoba and was comprised of the R.Ms of Argyle and Lorne and the Village of Somerset with representation from those council members. There are also several LUD’s within the boundaries, namely Baldur and Glenora in Argyle, and Altamont, Bruxelles, Mariapolis, St. Leon, and Swan Lake in Lorne. Effective January 2015, the provincially mandated amalgamation process saw the Villages of Somerset and Notre Dame de Lourdes join with the RM of Lorne to form the "Municipality of Lorne" This change prompted the Weed District to formally change its name to reflect the amalgamation, and is now known as the Argyle-Lorne Weed District.
Our district is predominately a grain and oilseed producing area, with some dairy and mixed farming. Potatoes are also grown in some areas. Lorne is also home to the provinces first “windmill farm” in the St. Leon area. The area also features some “cottage country” as Rock Lake forms a natural border on the South end of Argyle. Weeds of concern in our area include absinthe, Canada thistle, dandelion, leafy spurge, milkweed, nodding thistle, tansy, and recent invaders field scabious and scentless chamomile.