Kamloops

Ranchers concerned about the spread of invasive weeds

Knapweed can be a ranchers worst nightmare. The invasive species is threatening grasslands in the Nicola Valley.

Ranchers in the Nicola Valley are seeing knapweed choke out vital cattle grazing grasslands

John Anderson is a rancher in the Nicola Valley (Jennifer Chrumka/CBC)

Just off the Kamloops-Princeton Highway on the way to Lundbom lake sits a grasslands interpretive site.

It's a memorial to Laurie Guichon, a fourth-generation rancher in the Nicola Valley. 
    
The site gives you a 360 degree view of the grasslands.

It's a place John Anderson likes to visit.

He's a rancher nearby, but when he looks out, he sees a threat.

Knapweed and other invasive plants choking out the native grasses - grasses vital for cattle grazing.

Daybreak's Jennifer Chrumka met up with John to see just how bad it is.

To hear the interview, click the link: Ranchers concerned about the spread of invasive weeds