Fresh forage in the middle of winter? Fodder systems make it possible. From a basement setup at Titan Ranch to a larger cattle-feeding system at Warrior Rizen Ranch, Alberta producers are experimenting with sprouted grain as a supplement to winter rations. Learn how fodder works, and see examples you can scale to your own operation.

Welcome Jessica back into her new role as Assistant Manager at Farming Forward.

Carcass composting is gaining ground in Alberta as a practical, year-round way to handle livestock losses. By combining carbon materials with time and microbes, producers can turn mortalities into safe, stable compost that deters scavengers, protects water, and recycles nutrients back into the soil. Learn more about composting and other carcass management options at our What a Waste seminar and webinar on September 17.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly highlights farm plastic recycling efforts, a recap of our Brazeau County plot tour on soil health and drought resilience, upcoming events like the What a Waste seminar, plus community news, recipes, and grazing resources for Alberta producers.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features soil sampling tips, a new DNA test for blue-green algae, highlights from our Story of the Weeds tour, upcoming events in Brazeau County and Woodlands, plus community updates and innovations for Alberta producers.

Producers gathered in Lac Ste. Anne County for the Story of the Weeds Breakfast Plot Tour, combining breakfast, expert talks, and field demonstrations. Highlights included presentations on weed biology and biological controls, updates on Farming Forward’s thistle rust fungus project, a virtual demo of the Weed Zapper, and a look at our weed suppression research plots and new soil sampling truck.

Good soil tests start with good sampling. In this article and video, we show how to take and prepare a soil sample using a Dutch auger, from clearing plant residue and pulling cores to mixing and preparing the final sample for the lab. Farming Forward members can rent a Dutch auger for free, get help submitting samples, and receive discounted soil test rates — plus, our new soil sampling truck will be ready soon.

Blue-green algae can quickly turn dugout water toxic, but what if you could detect it before a bloom appears? A student-led team is developing a fast, in-field DNA test to spot cyanobacteria up to a week early. They’re looking for producer feedback to make sure this tool works on the ground. If you rely on dugouts or surface water, share your perspective in their short survey.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features the Story of the Weeds plot tour, soil testing insights at Digging Deeper, fall workshops, and community ag events.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features soil health insights from Dr. Jill Clapperton, ALUS field day details, upcoming plot tours on weeds and drought resilience, and key Alberta ag surveys.

When Farming Forward staff joined Parkland County’s Agricultural Service Board and ALUS Parkland on a tour of local conservation projects, we saw how marginal farmland is being reshaped into thriving natural areas. From eco-buffers that filter water and provide wildlife habitat, to pasture pipelines, riparian fencing, and pollinator plantings, these projects highlight how voluntary, farmer-led stewardship can benefit both agriculture and the environment. The success of a seven-year-old eco-buffer shows what’s possible when producers “farm the best and leave the rest.

From hands-on soil health trials in Wildwood to pasture walks with Dr. Jill Clapperton, this week’s Accelerate Weekly is full of events, producer hacks, and funding updates to help Alberta farms grow stronger and more resilient.

How can plant diversity and biological amendments improve compacted, clay-heavy soils? At our Wildwood trial site, we’re putting that question to the test. This research project evaluates five biological treatments alongside a diverse polycrop, measuring impacts on soil health, compaction, water infiltration, and forage quality. Learn more about what we’re testing, why it matters for Grey Luvisol soils, and how it could support more resilient pastures across the region.

From AgSmart highlights to soil health events with Dr. Jill Clapperton, this week’s Accelerate Weekly is packed with learning and opportunities for Alberta producers. Explore funding updates, innovative farm fixes, and local events designed to help your operation stay resilient and profitable.

Soil scientist, speaker, and global thought leader Dr. Jill Clapperton is passionate about helping farmers build thriving agroecosystems from the ground up. In this blog, get to know Jill’s philosophy on soil health, root canopies, and why small changes can spark powerful, positive results.

What do healthy soils have in common—whether you're grazing cattle, growing forage, or planting polycrops? In this article, we explore the five soil health principles that farmers and ranchers across Alberta (and beyond) are using to build resilient, productive land. Whether you're conventional, regenerative, or somewhere in between, these guidelines offer flexible ways to work with your soil—not against it.

From sheep grazing in Alberta cutblocks to new drone technology in the field, this week’s Accelerate Weekly is packed with stories of innovation and resilience. Catch our interview with High Country Shepherding, explore upcoming training and events, and see how producers are finding practical solutions for soil health, wildfire risk, and more.

In the cutblocks west of Edson, a flock of 1,200 sheep is quietly helping forests grow. High Country Shepherding uses low-impact grazing to manage vegetation where herbicides and heavy equipment fall short. With help from dogs, maps, and solar-powered camp life, Catie and her crew spend their days on foot—navigating grizzlies, slash piles, and shifting plant communities in one of Alberta’s most rugged landscapes.

Ready to take flight?
We’re planning a 2-day drone school in West-Central Alberta for late summer 2025. In partnership with Calgary-based AdvancedUAV, this hands-on training will cover spraying, mapping, scouting, and certification basics—built for producers, right here at home.

Curious? Read on and let us know if you’d be interested in attending.