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.

On this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, the Cypress Farm & Ranch Show is gearing up to kick off in Medicine Hat, Alberta, on June 11 & 12. Host Craig Lester speaks with Dave Fiddler, founder of the show, about why it'll be a spectacular event to get a closer look at agriculture in Alberta.  With the Calgary Stampede on the way, one of the main events will be the Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture competition. This year, some changes have been made to make it easier for more young speakers to share their passion for agriculture. Eric Dalke, the founder of the competition, joins the podcast to talk about the annual event. 

The House of Commons agriculture committee is urging the federal government to reverse planned closures of several agricultural research centres, warning the move could weaken Canada's food security, scientific capacity, and long-term agricultural competitiveness.

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.

On this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester talk about the upcoming CDC Newell Ag Summit, in Brooks, Alberta, on June 18, where connection, collaboration, and research will take center stage. It's Emergency Preparedness Week, and Craig has a conversation with Jody Wacowich at AgSafe Alberta about the importance of having a plan to deal with any emergency that might arise on your farm. Finally, Pioneer celebrates a huge milestone as the seed brand turns 100 this year. We take a look at the history of Pioneer and a legacy built on innovation and generational partnerships.

The ag and innovation sectors need startups, producers and women at the table to get ideas from the lab to the field to solve practical farming challenges.

The Canadian Cattle Association and the National Cattle Feeders' Association says Canadian beef should not be a bargaining chip in rushed trade negotiations with Mercosur countries. CCA President Tyler Fulton says they support global trade that is science-based, transparent and reciprocal. He adds that Canada is already one of the most exposed beef markets in the world - adding permanent, broad-based beef access for Mercosur countries would undermine our industry at a critical time and send the wrong signal to producers who are working to rebuild the national herd. Canada already relies on imports for approximately 30 per cent of domestic beef consumption, significantly higher than major competitors such as the United States, the European Union, or Australia.

Pioneer celebrates 100 years by RRC soundbites

For hay producers across Canada, the window between the spring thaw and first cut is short. What happens in those early weeks can shape the quality and quantity of every bale that comes off the field for the rest of the season. Chris Ennis, an agricultural field product specialist with Kubota Canada, says the most common and most costly mistake he sees is skipping field preparation altogether. "If we don't see those ruts repaired, fixed, replaced, we're going to be running into things," Ennis said, adding that overlooked winter damage can drive up ash content in feed and directly harm forage quality.

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.

On this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, powered by Kubota Canada, we focus on a new kind of high school taking shape in southeast Alberta, one built entirely around agriculture.  Just outside Medicine Hat, the Yuill School of Agriculture aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs. In this episode, RRC reporter Olivia Taylor sits down with Nichole Neubauer, the driving force behind the project, to explore how this idea came together and what it could mean for the future of education and the future of Canadian agriculture. 

The dairy goat industry in Alberta is small but showing signs of growth, as producers point to rising consumer demand and ongoing processing challenges.

Alberta-based Chatsworth Farm has earned international recognition and a national event nomination for its agritourism work.

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.

After years of planning, work has begun on a new high school in southeast Alberta designed entirely around agriculture education. The Yuill School of Agriculture, a program being developed by Prairie Rose Public Schools, will be built on 76 acres between Medicine Hat and Dunmore. The land was donated by the Yuill Family Foundation and sits just minutes from Eagle Butte High School, the division's main feeder school. When complete, the school will operate as a full agriculture collegiate where students earn a high school diploma alongside safety certifications, a professional portfolio, and hands-on industry experience. Dual credit courses will be available for those pursuing post-secondary education.

On this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, powered by Kubota Canada, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester briefly discuss the slow Spring start for farmers due to up-and-down weather. They also take a quick look at some ag headlines from this week. Then, RRC reporter Olivia Taylor sits down with Charlotte Wasilyk of Chatsworth Farm as the pair chats about the farm's international recognition for its agri-tourism initiatives, as part of the World Agri-Tourism Day, through the Global Agritourism Network. It's a celebration of the spirit of togetherness and rural development on this episode of the RRC podcast!

A new private member's bill is proposing to speed up the approval of agricultural products in Canada by relying more heavily on decisions made in other countries. Bill C-273, the Facilitating Agricultural Regulatory Modernization Act, would amend several federal laws, including the Feeds Act, Fertilizers Act, Seeds Act and Pest Control Products Act. It proposes a system allow products already approved in at least two "trusted jurisdictions" to receive provisional approval in Canada within 90 days of a complete application. The bill, introduced by Conservative MP for Bow River, Alberta, David Bexte, defines "trust jurisdictions" as foreign governments or regions designated through regulation. That could include jurisdictions like the EU, the U.K., the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.

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.

Lori Kinnee, a rancher from Alberta's Peace Country, shares her experience navigating burnout in agriculture. After the BSE crisis forced her to balance a full-time job with ranch responsibilities, the weight of managing work, family, and farm life became overwhelming. In this feature, Kinnee opens up about her recovery and delivers a crucial message to the industry: rest isn't a luxury-it's a necessary input. Her story is one of resilience and a call for the agriculture community to prioritize self-care.

Nortera, a multi-national frozen and canned vegetable processor, is closing its frozen food facility in Lethbridge this June, impacting about 70 employees as part of a broader effort to consolidate operations and stay competitive. The move comes amid growing pressure from international imports and rising input costs across Canada's food processing sector. Alberta Food Processors Association Executive Director Bianca Parsons says while the news is difficult, it reflects long-standing challenges.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday work in agriculture. As RRC's Olivia Taylor reports Ashley Smith, the National Product Manager for Seed Growth with Bayer Crop Science Canada, says artificial intelligence is a tool to help support decisions, not replace them. Smith spoke at the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference in Calgary.

In this Equipment Spotlight: How often do you hear a machinery salesperson say their tractors have been designed with Canadian winters in mind? Kubota can confidently say they do. It's a company that has determined exactly what Canadians need and has put its machines to the test against the often harsh Canadian climate.

On this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, powered by Kubota Canada, RRC meteorologist David Spence joins hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester to talk about the weather, specifically the ups and downs in the forecast at this time of year, the latest drought monitor, and talk of a super El Niño. Then, Craig explores the world of Rugged Terrain Vehicles, or RTVs, which have become a staple on modern farms and ranches across the country. Kubota's Ben Slute explains how RTVs streamline daily tasks, real-world uses, and why they've become an indispensable tool for both work and play.

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, brought to you by Kubota Canada, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester focus on two stories shaping the future of agriculture, one about what we're losing and one about where we're gaining. First, a developing story with real impact across southern Alberta: the closure of the Nortera plant in Lethbridge, which has sent shockwaves through the ag and food processing sectors. We'll hear from the Alberta Food Processors Association on what this means for jobs, farmers, and food production in the province. Then, Craig speaks to Paul Skretting (, an agronomy student at Lethbridge Polytechnic who has been named valedictorian for the Spring 2026 Convocation class. The two discuss being awarded the honour and how his agronomy studies have helped prepare him for a future in ag. From the uncertainty of now to the promise of a bright future - all on this week's RRC podcast. For more on Kubota Canada's Haymaking Tools go to:https://www.kubota.ca/products/hay-tools