June 30 tours
Olds College Smart Farm
The Smart Ag Ecosystem at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is focused on accelerating the progress and innovation needed to grow Canada’s ag industry — and the Olds College Smart Farm is at the heart of it all. The Smart Farm has grown to include 3,600 acres of farmland, infrastructure, and staff who are experienced in ag tech research and development.
Rodeo and Rural Alberta
(Formerly Bales and Broncs)
This day starts with history of rodeo and ends with broncs. This tour will get you up close and personal with all things Canadian rodeo including a tour of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame along with a chance to experience some cowboy culture, which survives and thrives. You’ll also hear from representatives of the town which celebrates Canada’s largest eight-day stampede in Ponoka as its biggest economic boom of the year. The sport of professional rodeo is growing in North America, in popularity and prize money.
Sustainability in the Beef Industry
Since grass and beef genetics are the foundation of the beef industry, the tour stops today are devoted to an in-depth look at these key elements of Canadian beef production system.
The Barley Belt
Alberta is well known for its production of high-quality malting barley. Sunny, hot days and cool nights in the province’s barley belt region provide ideal growing conditions. This premium product is consumed domestically and traded abroad, primarily to the U.S. and Asia.