Red Deer County is hosting a full-day information session on March 26, 2026, to help farmers in the Sylvan Lake, Alberta, area identify and manage crop diseases for the upcoming growing season. The event will take place at the Lacombe Memorial Centre from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and a lunch will be provided for those who attend.
The session is being organized in partnership with Lacombe County, Ponoka County, and four other local municipalities. Experts will provide practical advice on dealing with common issues like stripe rust, cereal leaf spots, and fusarium head blight, as well as new versions of clubroot and blackleg.
Guest speakers will include representatives from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, and the University of Alberta. Researchers from Western Crop Innovations and the Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network will also share data to help farmers make better decisions about when to spray their fields and how to manage their costs.
This meeting comes as local leaders work together to protect agricultural research in the region. In February 2026, a task force was created to speak out against potential funding cuts or the closure of research facilities located in Lacombe.
Residents who want to attend must register in advance by contacting the Lacombe County agricultural coordinator, Jalene Makus. Registrations are being accepted by phone at 403-782-8959 or by email at [email protected].
