Rural Roots Canada

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 beve...

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 o...

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...

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 southern 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 the BC Peace and northwest Alberta.

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

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

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...

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 par...

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

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 northeast Alberta and northwest Saskatchewan.

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 Southern Alberta.

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 p...

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 a farm weather report for the B.C. Peace region.

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