Lethbridge County is set to host a series of free agricultural webinars. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge County to host free webinars on biodiversity, weed control, soil health

Jan 6, 2026 | 9:02 AM

Farmers in southern Alberta are invited to learn more about a range of agricultural topics.

Registrations are now open for Lethbridge County’s annual Nutrient Management Webinar Series, which launches on Friday, Jan. 26.

The three-part series offers practical insights into emerging issues in agriculture, with this year’s sessions focused on biodiversity, invasive weed management, and nutrient analysis.

Each webinar features industry experts, including researchers, farmers, and specialists who will share their real-world knowledge, best practices, and tools that can be applied in the field.

“This year’s webinar line-up offers real, actionable knowledge for producers facing evolving challenges in soil health and weed resistance,” says Matthew Wells, Lethbridge County’s Ag Extension Specialist and webinar host. “The speakers we’ve lined up are grounded in research and real-world experience. Whether you’re a dryland or irrigation farmer, raise livestock, or manage agri-business operations, you’ll walk away with tools and strategies you can actually use.”

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All sessions run from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. There is no cost to attend, and continuing education credits (CEUs) are available for each session. Topics and presenters include:

January 26 – Improving Biodiversity

• “Setting Aside Ground to Regenerate Soil Health in Annual Cropping Systems: Lessons from Southwest BC”
  Presented by: Sean Smukler, University of British Columbia
• “Use of Pollinator Strips in Prairie Cropping Systems”
  Presented by: Shannon Knibbs, RoughBark Acres

February 2 – Invasive Weed Management

• “Evaluating Kochia Burial: Findings from On-Farm Trials”
  Presented by: Dr. Shaun Sharpe, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• “Use of the Seed Terminator for Effective Weed Management”
  Presented by: Josh Lade, Farmer

February 9 – Nutrient Analysis

• “Soil Acidification: An Issue of Concern in Saskatchewan and Alberta”
  Presented by: Dr. Barbara Cade-Menun, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• “Nutrient Analyses in Action: How Proper Handling, Sampling, and Application Pay Off”
  Presented by: Deanne Madsen, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation

You can register online at https://lethcounty.ca/p/learning or call Lethbridge County’s Agriculture Extension staff at 403.732.5333 for questions.