It is also a contaminate of hay and is spread by harvesting equipment. Roadside mowing is also suspected of moving spurge seed. Cultivating and earth moving equipment should be checked for soil contaminated with spurge seed before being moved to a new area. Land managers can also make use of less exotic natural enemies. Sheep and goats feed on on its flowers, this reduces seed production.
Sheep can safely satisfy over half there diet with spurge.
Biological Control, Spreading the Benefits. Biological Control of Leafy Spurge. Weed-feeders, Cathy Weeden et al., Cornell University, 1996. Leafy spurge is native to Europe. Leafy spurge first appeared in the United States in 1827.