Dogs protect North Dakota's Agricultural Lands from Invasive Weeds

May 16, 2023

In North Dakota, the impact of invasive weeds on crops can be decisive. The ability to differentiate between similar-looking plants is challenging for human surveyors. However, this is where the Working Dogs for Conservation excel, the organization protects the environment, land, and agriculture.

They use trained canines to assure safety and prosperity while addressing a variety of concerns, including law enforcement, agricultural, and environmental justice.

These remarkable canines are trained to identify the scent of invasive plants and weeds that may be overlooked by human observers. They have a remarkable ability to detect the presence of these dangerous plants, allowing workers to promptly take action. When alerted by the dogs, workers can locate and test the suspicious plants, confirming if they are indeed the invasive species being sought.

Pete Coppolillo, the executive director for Working Dogs for Conservation, highlights the dogs' value in both prevention and eradication efforts. They excel at detecting low densities of various threats, from seeds to insects, thereby providing immense support to farmers.

The working dogs deployed by Working Dogs for Conservation provide a unique and effective approach to combating invasive plants and weeds. Their remarkable scent detection capabilities aid in prevention, early detection, and eradication, contributing to the protection of agricultural lands and overall environmental well-being.

Video: Why Invest in Canada’s Seed Future? | On The Brink: Episode 3

Darcy Unger just invested millions to build a brand-new seed plant on his farm in Stonewall, Manitoba so when it’s time for his sons to take over, they have the tools they need to succeed.

Right now, 95% of the genetics they’ll be growing come from Canadian plant breeders.

That number matters.

When fusarium hit Western Canada in the late 90s, it was Canadian breeders who responded, because they understood Canadian conditions. That ability to react quickly to what’s happening on Canadian farms is exactly what’s at risk when breeding programs lose funding.

For farmers like Darcy, who have made generational investments based on the assumption that better genetics will keep coming, the stakes are direct and personal.

We’re on the brink of decisions that will shape our agricultural future for not only our generation, but also the ones to come.

What direction will we choose?

On The Brink is a year-long video series traveling across Canada to meet the researchers, breeders, farmers, seed companies, and policymakers shaping the future of Canadian plant breeding. Each week, a new story. Each story, a piece of the bigger picture.

Episode 3 is above. Follow Seed World Canada to catch every episode, and tell us: Do you think the next generation will have the tools they need to success when they takeover? How is the future going to look?