Rural Roots Canada

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

There is no better way to experience a "taste" of agriculture than Loreto Nardelli and Nicoletta DiAngelu, owners of the popular Italian Cuisine website Sugar Love Spices, are perfect examples of this, bringing their love of creating authentic Italian cuisine by sourcing ingredients straight from the farm. Nardelli says their cooking and blog are all about quality, and that starts with building relationships with farmers.

AgSafe BC has introduced a new Human Resource Toolkit to help agriculture employers in British Columbia navigate hiring and workplace management. With more than 30 documents available for download, the toolkit guides users through each stage of employment. It includes templates for job descriptions, reference checks, exit interviews, and performance evaluations. Another feature is the termination checklists and tip sheets on topics such as probation and delivering feedback. The toolkit is made to be flexible so that it can be used by any farm organization.

Research out of the University of Calgary has identified new biological pathways to improve shatter tolerance in canola, addressing one of the crop's most persistent harvest challenges. The research focuses on strengthening the canola pod, allowing pods to remain intact during cutting while still opening properly during combining.

A national research effort is aiming to cut nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from nitrogen fertilizer, a major source of greenhouse gases in Canadian agriculture. The Canadian Nitrous Oxide Network (canN2Onet) is a collaborative 4-year research project led by N2O experts, including six universities, one college and one polytechnic. These institutions include Lethbridge Polytechnic, Olds College, University of Saskatchewan, University of B.C. and the University of Guelph. The University of Guelph is the lead in research for the nitrogen fertilizer project. This research project was established in 2024 by Guelph professor Claudia Wagner-Riddle and was federally funded with $7.9 million from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada Podcast, powered by Kubota Canada, host Tim Parent sits down with the new CEO of the Canadian Cattle Association (CAA), Andrea Brocklebank.  In this wide-ranging conversation, Brocklebank says it's been an exciting and intense transition into the role, which brings her experience as a researcher with the Beef Cattle Research Council and as a rancher near High River, Alberta, to the position.  And there's no shortage of priorities ahead for Brocklebank and the CAA, including key policy files, strengthening industry partnerships and working closely with provincial stakeholders on major issues facing producers. All that and more in this episode of the RRC Podcast. 

The federal government is investing up to $27 million to help young Canadians get hands-on experience in agriculture and agri-food jobs.  Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald announced the funding for the Youth Employment and Skills Program at the Atlantic Grains Council Cereals and Oilseeds 2026 conference earlier this month.  The funding covers two years, from 2026 to 2028, including nearly $13.5 million for the 2026-27 program year. 

Fifty post-secondary students made their way to Calgary last week for the Advancing Women in Agriculture West Conference, the most the event has ever seen in its student sponsorship program.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada Podcast, powered by Kubota Canada, Craig Lester shares details about his upcoming trip to São Paulo, Brazil, for mid-year meetings with the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, where he'll join farm journalists from around the world to tour agricultural operations and explore Brazilian food production. The conversation then turns to the technology and versatility of the Kubota M6 Tractor and Kubota M7 Tractor. Kubota agricultural tractors product manager Kyle Dabrowski explains how these machines are engineered for Canadian conditions and designed to handle everything from fieldwork and livestock chores to snow removal. From global farm tours to cutting-edge machinery, the episode highlights how innovation and collaboration continue to shape modern agriculture.

Despite winter snow, drought remains on the prairies The latest update to the Canadian Drought Monitor shows widespread moderate drought in southern and central Alberta, and southwestern Saskatchewan, where for most of the winter, the ground has been bare. RRC meteorologist David Spence has the details.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, brought to you by Kubota, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester discuss several key developments in Canadian agriculture. There's growing opposition from cattle groups to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's proposed changes to livestock traceability. Organizations, including Alberta Beef Producers and the Saskatchewan Cattle Association, say they support traceability in principle but argue the proposed rules could add unnecessary costs and red tape for producers. Meteorologist David Spence explains the difference between meteorological spring and the astronomical spring equinox later in the month.  RRC reporter Olivia Taylor has a report on her sit-down with the new 4-H Canada CEO, Christina Frank, about the organization's focus on youth connection, leadership, and growth under a new strategic plan. Finally, the team previews the upcoming Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference in Calgary, where founder Iris Meck highlights the importance of creating a space for women across the industry to connect, learn, and lead.

Several Prairie cattle organizations are raising concerns about proposed federal changes to livestock traceability regulations, saying the system must better reflect the realities of cattle production before new requirements move ahead.

Saskatchewan barley had a strong year in 2025, and researchers say the results go beyond just good growing conditions. Mitchell Japp, Research and Extension Manager with Sask Barley, says reports coming in from across the province this past harvest were notable. Growers near Indian Head were reporting 130 to 140 bushels an acre. One farmer running a plant growth regulator trial came in at nearly 150. "The average yield across the province and the prairies is just beyond any expectation," Japp said.

Prairie canola growers are investing heavily in new research aimed at tackling disease pressures, pest threats and environmental challenges facing one of Canada's most important crops. The three Prairie provincial canola grower associations have approved funding for 11 research projects through the Canola Agronomic Research Program (CARP) for 2026. The projects represent a total investment of roughly $4 million. Funding includes more than $2.4 million from Alberta Canola, SaskOilseeds and Manitoba Canola Growers, along with more than $495,000 from the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) and over $1 million from Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR).

There have been no new suspect cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) reported to the Chief Veterinarian of Alberta as of March 2, 2026, according to Alberta Pork. In a release, Alberta Pork says that as of February 27, 2026, all environmental samples collected from identified high-traffic sites have tested negative. Last month, a case of PEDv was confirmed on a farm in Southern Alberta. It was the province's first case since 2022. The investigation remains ongoing.

After more than three decades dedicated to bridging science and on-farm practicality, Dr. Brian Beres is being recognized for his impact on Prairie agriculture. The senior research scientist in agronomy with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is this year's recipient of the Orville Yanke Award — an honour that carries deep personal meaning. Beres recalls one of his earliest winter wheat field days, with conservation innovator Orville Yanke standing in the foreground as he presented research findings.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence unpacks this week's weather patterns across Alberta, the B.C. Peace, and the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence unpacks this week's weather patterns across Alberta, the B.C. Peace, and the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence unpacks this week's weather patterns across Alberta, the B.C. Peace, and the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence unpacks this week's weather patterns across Alberta, the B.C. Peace, and the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence unpacks this week's weather patterns across Alberta, the B.C. Peace, and the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester check in from a snowy Calgary and a busy Lethbridge to talk all things Ag Expo, a cornerstone event in Western Canadian agriculture now held at the stunning Lethbridge Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre (1:42). As Craig reports from the event, he shares insights from Paul Kingsmith of Exhibition Park Lethbridge, who highlights how the event has evolved into a true business-to-business showcase featuring over 300 exhibitors from across Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Australia.  The episode also shines a light on the BASF Growing Home Initiative, which supports rural projects across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario (6:23). It's an episode that captures the heart of rural life, innovation, and connection across Canada's ag community.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence talks about the upcoming arrival of meteorological spring on Sunday. Spence dives into what it means and explains meteorological seasons.

Nominations are open for BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada's Growing Home program, and $160,000 is on the table for rural organizations across four provinces. Now in its fourth year, the program invites farmers and agricultural retailers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario to put forward organizations that make a difference in their communities.

Canada's beef and pork producers are getting a big boost with new access to Indonesia's rapidly growing market. The expanded market access comes following a 2025 ministerial trade mission and the signing of the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). An audit by the Indonesia Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services confirmed that Canadian meat products meet Indonesia's food safety and import standards. The expansion allows Canadian exporters to ship over-thirty-month bone-in beef, beef offal, and, for the first time, pork and pork products to Indonesia.

AgExpo and the North American Seed Fair kicks off today at the Lethbridge Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre. Paul Kingsmith, Director of Event Development with Excite Lethbridge, says the show is a major event for the agriculture community.

A case of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) has been confirmed on a farm in southern Alberta, the province's first since February 2022. The diagnosis was laboratory-confirmed on February 21, 2026. The affected site is now under strict containment measures, with three-kilometre and 10-kilometre buffer zones established to prevent further spread. Alberta Pork says no other farms fall within these zones. A full investigation has been launched to determine the source of the outbreak. The producer, the herd veterinarian, Alberta's Chief Veterinary Officer, and Alberta Pork are collaborating on response and containment efforts.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

Chris Franc's vision to become CEO of 4-H Canada came true this year. The new leader brings passion, experience, and a deep belief in youth and community.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, B.C. Peace and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.