Rural Roots Canada

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

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 Central 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 Northeast 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.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares the weather forecast for Southern Alberta 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. 

Amid ongoing discussions on bringing down provincial trade barriers, some direct-to-market cattle producers are calling for changes to slaughter regulations. Barry Doerksen, co-owner of Gemstone Grass-Fed Beef in Gem, Alberta, says they can only sell within the province unless they switch from provincially to federally inspected facilities.

Alberta is marking a milestone that few jurisdictions on the planet can claim: 75 consecutive years without a breeding population of rats.  Alberta's Rat Control Program launched in 1950 after the province first declared the Norway rat a pest when the rodents crossed the Saskatchewan border. The program was a way to keep the rats from spreading disease and damaging infrastructure and agriculture. Armed with new legislation, a dedicated "Rat Control Zone" stretching 600 kilometres along Alberta's eastern edge, and a network of municipal pest inspectors, the province halted the rats' advance within three years.  "It's something that's been decades of work," says Alberta Ag Minister RJ Sigurdson. "It's not a task we take lightly."