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.

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 sp

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.