Rural Roots Canada

Across rural Canada, farmers face immense pressures. From unpredictable markets to unpredictable weather, it can take a toll on their mental health. Yet when they're struggling, many don't call a counsellor or crisis line first. Instead, they turn to the people they see every week.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight into the weather forecasts for the week of September 29 for southern Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight into the weather forecasts for the week of September 29 for northeast Alberta and northwest Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight into the weather forecasts for the week of September 29 for northeast Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight into the weather forecasts for the week of September 29 for the BC Peace.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight into the weather forecasts for the week of September 29 for central Alberta.

A new short documentary is shining a spotlight on the connection between beef production and wildlife habitat. Homes on the Range is the fourth in a series produced by the Canadian Cattle Association.

A central Alberta maltster is warning that phasing out malt barley variety research in Lacombe could hurt the industry. Funding is shifting research priorities toward feed barley, raising concerns about the future of malt barley breeding in Alberta, which produces half of Canada's barley and a third of North America's.

Farm Credit Canada says it's time to rethink where Canadian food ends up. A new report by FCC highlights a $12-billion opportunity to diversify exports beyond the U.S. Right now, more than three-quarters of Canada's food and beverage exports head south of the border. FCC President Justine Hendricks says that leaves farmers and processors exposed. In a statement she says “Diversifying food and beverage exports beyond the U.S. will not only strengthen producers' resilience but also benefit Canadian consumers and the broader economy.”

Big Marble Farms near Medicine Hat, Alberta is upgrading its lighting system with help from a $2.2 million grant from the Government of Alberta. The aim is to reduce emissions and help the facility producing more food. Big Marble is investing more than $3 million of its own money, alongside the $2.2 million grant, to install more than 5,000 horticulture grow lights in its greenhouse facilties.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada Podcast, host Tim Parent sits down with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, the Food Professor and Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, to discuss why food and agriculture were left out of Canada's first wave of nation-building projects. Dr. Charlebois unpacks what that omission says about Canada's priorities on the world stage, the risks of sidelining agrifood in big-picture policy, and why infrastructure, research, and strategy are key to strengthening Canada's rural future.

A rancher from Sundre, Alberta, has received a prestigious honour from the Canadian Cattle Foundation. Brianna Elliot is a recipient of the Reg Schellenberg Next Generation Legacy award. Elliot, who is a participant in the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders program, was selected by her peers for being a positive, humble leader with the ability to bring people together to achieve a common goal and being an overall exceptional ambassador of the Canadian beef industry. Elliot was presented with the award at the semi-annual meeting in Quebec.

A new facility at the University of Calgary is set to expand training opportunities for veterinarians. The Veterinary Learning Commons, located at the university's Spy Hill campus, has officially opened with the aim of addressing Alberta's shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural communities.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight for the weather for central Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight for the weather for northeast Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight for the weather for the BC Peace and northwest Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight for the weather for northeast Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight for the weather for southern Alberta.

Rainfall and intense storms through August, had a huge impact on drought conditions in southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. Much of those areas are no longer considered to be in drought.

On the latest Rural Roots Canada podcast, we discuss the busy harvest season and the importance of safety on the farm. We also look ahead to the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference, which will be held in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in November. Alberta rancher Ashley Perepelkin joins us to share her story, including how AWC became a turning point in her life and helped her overcome imposter syndrome.

Alberta Rancher Ashley Perepelkin talks about the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference and the self-confidence it gave her in public speaking, business and life.

This week we will learn who will be named the National Environmental Stewardship Award winner. One of the cattle operations in the running is Barnett Land and Cattle owned by Duncan & Jane Barnett from the Williams Lake area of B.C. They were named the B-C Cattle Association's nominee for this year. The VBP+ operation has 100 Angus-influenced cows. The farm also does some custom feeding and sells hay.

Alberta Grains and Fertilizer Canada have launched Make Your Acres Count!, a campaign encouraging Alberta farmers to register their farmland under the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Framework. The initiative is designed to expand sustainable farming practices, strengthen environmental outcomes, and improve productivity while highlighting farmers' leadership in responsible agriculture. The campaign is part of a larger effort to grow Alberta's leadership in sustainable agriculture. Last year, more than 2.15 million acres in Alberta were self-reported under 4R. The campaign aims to nearly double that number by the end of the 2025 crop year.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence gives insight into this week's weather in Southern Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence gives insight into this week's weather in central Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence gives insight into this week's weather in northeast Alberta and northwest Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence gives insight into this week's weather in the Vegreville and Bonnyville area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence gives insight into this week's weather in the BC Peace.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a series of new, strategic measures to help sectors most impacted by tariff and trade disruptions, including Canada's canola sector. Canola growers can expect expanded financial support with plans to temporarily increase the Advance Payments Program interest-free limit to $500,000 for canola advances. The government says this temporary expansion will give producers greater flexibility to manage risk and cash flow. Another $370 million has been earmarked for biofuel production incentives over the next two years,  designed to keep Canadian biodiesel and renewable diesel producers competitive as U.S. subsidies reshape the market.

Ranchers John Smith and Laura Laing, who own Plateau Cattle Company near Nanton, have spent their lives improving their cattle herds' health and welfare. Which is why the ranch has been named as the recipient of the Alberta Beef Producers' 2025 Environmental Stewardship award, an honour that recognizes exceptional commitment to sustainable ranching practices and contributions to the beef industry.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides farm weather reports for northeast Alberta and northwest Saskatchewan.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides farm weather reports for Lakeland region of northeast Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides farm weather reports for Central Alberta.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides a farm weather report for the B.C. Peace region.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides a farm weather report for the southern Alberta region.

Sheep shearing is an ancient tradition dating back to the earliest days of agriculture and in the 21st century, Reba Fajnor is keeping the tradition alive. Fajnor, from Saskatchewan, recently showcased her sheep shearing skills at Chatsworth Farm in Vermilion, Alberta, for Open Farm Days, giving a few sheep a much-needed haircut.

A powerful storm near Brooks, Alberta brought golf ball-sized hail and fierce winds, leaving crops devastated and farmers facing tough losses. Brad Niznik shares what it was like to ride out the storm and the impact it's having on his farm and neighbours.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe met with federal government officials on Thursday to discuss the ongoing trade dispute between Canada and China over canola. Standing alongside Kody Blois, the parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Moe said he wants the PM to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the dispute that has led to hefty tariffs on Canadian canola products. Earlier this month, China announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 75.8% on canola seed, on top of the 100% tariffs already hitting canola oil and meal announced in March. Moe said the provinces need to work collaboratively with the canola industry and the federal government to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Moe is planning a trade mission to China and wants Carney to join him.

Do More Agriculture's AgTalk - Canada's online space in the agriculture sector for mental health connection has been renewed thanks to the support of BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada, the RBC Foundation and the McCain Foundation.  Executive Director Merle Massey says AgTalk is an agricultural community within the online site Togetherall, where anyone over 16 can anonymously and safely connect, share, and receive support from a community of peers.

RRC talks with AgSafe Alberta's Jody Wacowich about safety during harvest season.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares the weather forecast for Northeast Alberta for the week of August 18th.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares the weather forecast for Northeast B.C. - Northwest Alberta for the week of August 18th.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares the weather forecast for Central Alberta for the week of August 18th.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares the weather forecast for Southern Alberta for the week of August 18th.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares the weather forecast for northeast Alberta and northwest Saskatchewan for the week of August 18th.

What happens when you put an agronomist and a meteorologist in the same conversation? That's what we find out in this podcast as Beyond Agronomy's Steve Larocque joins Meteorologist David Spence and Craig Lester for a chat about the 2025 growing season in Alberta. They chat about the 'feast or famine' precipitation situation that different regions of the province have experienced during the growing season. They conclude the podcast looking ahead to harvest, which may be pushed back for many farmers. It's an in-depth discussion of the 2025 Alberta growing that you don't want to miss.

Canadian canola farmers are bracing for fresh economic pressure after China announced new duties on Canadian canola, a move industry leaders say underscores the need for more diversification, both at home and abroad.  On Tuesday, China announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of almost 76% on Canadian canola imports as part of an ongoing trade dispute following Canada's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Back in March, China also imposed a 100% levy on Canadian canola oil and meal, along with other levies on other sectors. 

Vermilion's Chatsworth Farm is preparing to welcome visitors for Alberta Open Farm Days on August 16, offering a full lineup of tours, demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. Alberta Open Farm Days, now in its twelfth year, is a chance for producers, agri-food operators and many others province-wide to open their doors and welcome the public in to show what they do day in and day out. Charlotte Wasylik from Chatsworth Farm is one of the many farmers who are excited to take part in this weekend's festivities once again.

For nearly a decade, Farming Smarter has been one of southern Alberta's strongest ambassadors of Alberta Open Farm Days, the province-wide initiative that brings the farm to consumers to help them understand the origins of their food. Held every August, Alberta Open Farm Days is a chance for producers, ag organizations, and food processors to give the public a behind-the-scenes tour to learn, ask questions, and get a hands-on feel for the realities of modern agriculture. Farms, agriculture businesses, and organizations will open their gates and doors to the public for the two day event on August 16 and 17 this year. For Farming Smarter, that means transforming its Lethbridge-area research site into an interactive learning hub on Saturday, August 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On this week's podcast, Rural Roots Canada travels to Stavely, Alberta, to take in the Cudlobe Cattle Field Day, hosted by Cudlobe Angus and Cudlobe Angus West. From community to cattle science to cow patties, we round up the sights, sounds, and stories from the pasture.

As we head into harvest season, the Do More Ag Foundation, which champions the mental well-being of people in Canadian agriculture, is reminding farmers to make sure they keep their mental health top of mind when bringing in the crop.