In this week’s Accelerate Weekly, we share final early-bird reminders for Gathering Ground, updates from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network, upcoming EFP workshops, and winter cattle management resources. Plus, youth learning opportunities, mentorship programs, and ag-tech training for producers across West-Central Alberta.

At the recent Environmental Farm Plan Technicians Day, Jennifer Otani from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada shared updates from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network — a prairie-wide effort that tracks major crop pests and provides free resources to help producers make informed, sustainable pest management decisions.

In this week’s Accelerate Weekly, we spotlight shifting cattle markets, new virtual fencing funding through RDAR, and upcoming EFP workshops. Plus, early-bird reminders for Gathering Ground, youth grazing education, mental health supports, and ag innovation stories for producers across West-Central Alberta.

Put your farm smarts to the test in this fast-paced, hands-on challenge. Teams will rotate through skill-testing stations in plant ID, seed ID, pest ID, and more — with a few surprises along the way. Learn, laugh, and compete for the honor of being crowned Gathering Ground Gauntlet Champions!

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features an update from our Lac Ste. Anne Weed Suppression Trial, Thanksgiving recipe ideas, and early-bird registration for Gathering Ground. Plus, farmland value trends, canola grading resources, mental health workshops, mentorship opportunities, and an upcoming Environmental Farm Plan session.

Technology meets teamwork in this interactive session with Marissa Lemay of Merck Animal Health. Explore how the SenseHub® Cow Calf system delivers real-time insights into herd health, reproduction, and performance — helping producers make smarter, more timely management decisions.

With decades of experience in both ranching and finance, Ryan Copithorne of Cows in Control helps producers turn uncertainty into strategy. In this interactive session, he’ll share practical tools for managing market volatility and protecting your operation when prices — and risks — run high.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features early-bird registration for Gathering Ground, forage pricing results for the Edmonton North region, upcoming EFP workshops, and fall grazing education. Plus, resources on weaning strategies, livestock tax deferral regions, and opportunities for mentorship and industry events.

Registration is now open for Gathering Ground – A Producer Development Day! Join us on November 15, 2025 near Whitecourt for a full day of hands-on learning, producer panels, demonstrations, networking, and good food. 🎟️ Save $25 with Early Bird Registration until October 25 or the first 50 tickets.

Forage prices are in! See how mixed hay, alfalfa, greenfeed, and straw stacked up across the Edmonton North region in our latest Q3 survey results.

After a full day of learning and connection at Gathering Ground – A Producer Development Day, we’ll close the evening with live music from Mayerthorpe’s own Dusty Golden — a professional bull rider and rising country singer-songwriter whose songs reflect the grit and stories of rural life. Get a taste of his sound with his single “Against the Grain.”

We’re excited to announce our first keynote speaker for Gathering Ground – A Producer Development Day! Annessa Good-Hassard of Peak Heritage Consulting Ltd. will open the day with “Boots on the Ground: Succession at the Ground Level,” sharing real-world strategies to help farm families navigate succession with clarity and courage. Registration opens October 7, 2025 — plan to join us with your partner, family, or friends for this one-of-a-kind day.

This week’s Accelerate Weekly features a new update from our Brazeau Drought Resilience Trial, tips for getting started with ag plastics recycling, and a Save the Date for November’s Gathering Ground event. Plus, forage pricing surveys, industry research highlights, and fall event reminders for producers across West-Central Alberta.

Ask the Expert: The 5S of Soil Sampling
Collecting consistent, quality soil data can make all the difference in understanding your soil carbon and fertility trends. Graham Gilchrist, PAg, shares a simple “5S” approach for taking samples the same time, place, depth, and way each year.

In this week’s Accelerate Weekly, we share early results from our Canada thistle rust fungus trial, a full recap of the What a Waste seminar, updates from the bale grazing plot, and a Save the Date for our November producer event, Gathering Ground. Plus, surveys, training opportunities, and fall programming updates for producers across West-Central Alberta.

Recycling ag plastics doesn’t have to be complicated. Through Cleanfarms’ Alberta programs, farmers can recycle grain bags, baler twine, and more — turning farm waste into useful products instead of burn piles. Inspired by our What a Waste seminar, this article shares where to find your nearest collection site, easy first steps from APRG’s Assar Grinde, and tips to make plastic recycling part of your operation.

On September 17, Farming Forward hosted What a Waste in Blue Ridge and online, bringing producers and ag partners together to tackle on-farm waste challenges. From recycling ag plastics to carcass disposal and predator conflict, speakers shared practical solutions and regulatory insights. Assar Grinde (APRG) highlighted Alberta’s plastics recycling pilot, Jason Moodie (Alberta Agriculture) outlined carcass disposal rules, and rancher Louise Liebenberg (Grazerie) showed how poor carcass management can attract predators.

In this week’s Accelerate Weekly, we wrap up the summer event season with the upcoming What a Waste seminar, share a new carcass composting infographic, explore indoor fodder systems, and highlight practical resources for Alberta producers—from OFCAF cover cropping support to grazing education and fall events.

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.