Inputs - by Top Crop Manager (Top Crop Manager)

Winter cereals see all four seasons in Ontario, which means a wide variety of environmental conditions can affect their growth and yield. What can growers expect after a cooler fall for planting in parts of the province and an unusually warm winter? Do typical considerations like nitrogen and sulphur application timings and pest management strategies changed in a year like this one?

In this episode of Inputs, Joanna Follings, cereals specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), gives an overview of fall 2023 planting conditions for winter cereals, including what effects the warmer than average winter might have, an update on spring cereals planting, and some tips for nutrient applications and pest and disease management.

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Show notes

• Field Crop News for in-season updates agronomic information
• Wheat Ag Pest Monitor for stripe rust tracking and more

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

With a high protein content, lupins offer an alternative to soybeans and have grown in popularity in Europe. Researchers continue to investigate their potential across the Canadian Prairies.

In this episode of Inputs, Robyne Davidson, pulse and special crops research scientist at Lakeland College in Alberta, shares her latest research focus surrounding lupins, the main challenges with growing them and her ideals for lupin production moving forward.

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Winter barley may not be a new crop for Ontario growers, but a combination of factors is making the cereal crop an attractive option to include in rotation. Top Crop Manager associate editor Alex Barnard chats with Joanna Follings, cereals specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), about winter barley's benefits and challenges, and considerations to make before seeding.

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Sponsored by Climate FieldView.

Show notes

Interested in trying out winter barley, or want some more information? Ontario growers can contact Follings at joanna.follings@ontario.ca or their regional SeCan representative.

Are we done talking about the great drought of 2021 yet? You probably already know the answer to that question - of course not. The effects of this past growing season's weather will last for a while, but the lessons learned are plentiful. In this episode, a harvest update and recap, our new co-host Dylan Sjølie chats with Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist with Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission, and Kaeley Kindrachuk, agronomy extension specialist with SaskCanola. Both share insights and takeaways from this year's wheat, barley and canola harvests, and what to consider as we move on from 2021 and look ahead to 2022.

Show notes:

• @BoychynJeremy on Twitter
• Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission
• The Growing Point newsletter
• @Kindrachuk on Twitter
• SaskCanola
• Canola Encyclopedia

Sponsored by ESN Smart Nitrogen.

The Canola Council of Canada is a national trade association that represents the entire canola value chain. Beyond offering canola producers across the country agronomic resources and support, the council plays an important role in market and trade.

Clint Jurke, agronomy director of the Canola Council of Canada, joins co-host Dylan Sjolle on this episode of Inputs to share an early season Canadian canola update, hinting at upcoming trends and sharing resources for canola growers as the season progresses.

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Show notes:

• Reach Clint Jurke via e-mail
• Subscribe to Canola Watch
• Learn more about Canola Week
• Use the Canola Calculator tool

Sponsored by Farm Credit Canada.

Sulfur comes in two different forms: elemental sulfur and sulfate (most commonly found in ammonium sulfate). But which one is the best choice for your crop? The overall goal is to apply nutrients at the time the plant is taking them up to maximize production and minimize loss, so timing and crop uptake are two main factors to consider when making this decision. 

Learn more about sulfur and Smart Nutrition MAP + MST in this episode with Cristie Preston, PhD, senior agronomist with Nutrien.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Smart Nutrition MAP + MST.

Though it's often required in smaller amounts than nitrogen and potassium, phosphorus is a key element to crop nutrition and is critical to establishing good yield potential.

In this episode, Alan Blaylock, senior agronomist with Nutrien, gives a primer on why phosphate is essential to crops, especially in post-drought years, and shares information on the benefits of using mono-ammonium phosphate in combination with micronized sulfur.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Smart Nutrition MAP + MST.

When you've worked so hard all year to achieve a beautiful canola crop, the last thing you need is a problem in the bin. Luckily, the Canola Council of Canada has five simple tips for keeping crops clean and ready for market. Harvest season is busy, but it's important to remember that the season doesn't end after the crop is in the bin.

Ian Epp, an agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada and active farmer, joins Stefanie Croley to review recommendations from Keep it Clean and share practical advice to help finish your season off on a great note.

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Show notes:

• Visit KeepitClean.ca to review the 5 Simple Tips to keep your crop ready for market.

Spring is quickly approaching and corn growers in Ontario are growing eager to start planting. But before you begin, consider all of the factors that go into your spring seeding plan and ensure you're setting your corn crop up for success from the get-go. In this episode of Inputs, Ben Rosser, corn specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, shares advice to help kick off your corn season, from planting dates and soil moisture to navigating a spring frost.

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Show notes:

• Visit gocorn.net for seasonal summaries, interactive tools and more.
• FieldCropNews.com posts helpful articles throughout the growing season.

Keeping fertilizer in your field is an important crop management strategy, and with rising fertilizer costs, it's top of mind now more than ever. In this episode of Inputs, Nutrien's Todd Latimer shares how nitrogen loss occurs, what the risk factors are, and how N loss can be prevented.

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Sponsored by Nutrien ESN.

Often called "the hidden yield robber," soybean cyst nematode is hard to see, but it can have devastating effects on a soybean crop. An integrated management approach, including the use of resistant varieties, is necessary. But as fall approaches, it's important to scout your fields and sample your fields for SCN.

In this episode, Albert Tenuta, field crop pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, discusses how to properly sample soil for soybean cyst nematode, and shares some helpful management practices too.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Climate FieldView.

Show notes

• The SCN Coalition is a group of researchers, extension staff and industry reps working together to provide growers with SCN information.
• The Ontario Soybean Performance Trials can be found on GoSoy.ca.
• Visit FieldCropNews.com for seasonal updates from the OMAFRA field crop team.

The Living Laboratories initiative, introduced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2018 and implemented in several provincially organized labs in the intervening years, has been reframing the relationship between research and innovation. A collaborative effort between producers, industry groups and researchers, Living Labs projects examine practices in the field and emphasize evolution over replicability.

Tracey Ryan, applied research co-ordinator with the Ontario Soil and Crops Improvement Association (OSCIA) and co-lead of Living Lab-Ontario, discusses the six current projects taking place in Ontario, the learning curve involved in getting the moving pieces to work together, and the future of Living Lab-Ontario. 

 Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• OSCIA: Living Lab-Ontario
• Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario (IFAO)
• Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO)
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Living Labs initiative
• Top Crop Manager: An innovative approach to advancing innovation

Support for this episode provided by Nutrien Smart Nutrition and Farm Management Canada (FMC).

The recent snowfall might have put a damper on planting fervour, but we're closing in on the right time to put crops in the ground for 2023. But taking a little time to prepare what you can while you can will save time and headaches down the line, and starting clean can help set you up for success.

In this episode of Inputs, co-host Dylan Sjolie speaks with Ian Epp, an agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada and active farmer, about preparing for the 2023 growing season. They discuss the lingering effects of the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons on the Prairies, what the new regulations for lambda-cyhalothrin mean for canola growers, and the early season pests and diseases producers should watch for.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Contact Ian at eppi@canolacouncil.org or find your regional CCC agronomy specialist
• The Canola Encyclopedia
• Sign up for weekly Canola Watch emails

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

Dec. 5 marks the annual World Soil Day, which for 2023 will celebrate the theme of “soil and water: a source of life.” To recognize the importance of soil health to the farming community and the environment as a whole, Dr. Benjamin Ellert, research scientist and biogeochemistry and the agroecosystem science team lead with AAFC – Lethbridge, will join Inputs podcast host Dylan Sjolie to discuss several soil health topics and how that relates to the environment.

During the podcast, Ellert will touch upon such issues as soil health as it relates to carbon, the impact carbon content in soil has on the environment and how soil can retain carbon from the atmosphere. Ellert will discuss how long-term agrological relief sites are adding value to the understanding of the influence of cropping practices on carbon sequestration and levels of carbon in soil. He will also address the effect drought conditions had in Southern Alberta, how that impacted soil health and how today’s technology helps mitigate some of the impact of dry conditions. Finally, Ellert will talk about a children’s book he wrote with AAFC soil technician Katelyn Lutes titled Soil Biodiversity: What’s Most Important, and the importance of engaging today’s youth in soil health.

To reach Dr. Ben Ellert, email benjamin.ellert@AGR.GC.CA.

Grasshoppers can make farmers a little jumpy this time of year, particularly when the weather is hot and dry. But, there are ways to manage these pests and keep their numbers under control.

 In this episode of Inputs, James Tansey, and entomologist with the Government of Saskatchewan, and Rachel Evans, technical sales manager for the eastern Prairies with FMC Canada, share their insights into what regions could see high numbers of grasshoppers this year, how to implement an ideal integrated pest management strategy and what growers can expect when using products that help mitigate these resilient insects. 

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As soon as conditions are just right, farmers across Canada are antsy to begin their spring seeding. In some parts of the country, #plant21 is already well underway by mid-late April, with other areas getting off to a slower start. No matter what your progress is, this episode of Inputs is packed with tips and reminders from two experts to help you kick off the spring season.

First up is Ben Rosser, the corn specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs based in Guelph, Ont., who gives a status update on corn planting in Ontario and shares some helpful tips to keep in mind as the season continues. Then, Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist for Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions, joins us from Calgary to chat about spring cereals, seeding progress and soil conditions, and some important initiatives underway on the Prairies.

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Show notes:

• FieldCropNews.com
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network
• Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network on Twitter

The 2020 Plant Health Summit gathered farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry members at the TCU Place in Saskatoon to learn about the latest research and strategies for optimal crop health. In the first episode of our Plant Health Summit Series, Jeff Schoenau, professor of soil fertility at the University of Saskatchewan discusses the importance of fertilizer to improve crop quality with Top Crop Manager's associate editor Alex Barnard.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are a useful tool in preventing crop lodging, but the decision to use a PGR is far more complex than the desired outcome would imply.

In this episode, Top Crop Manager associate editor Alex Barnard chats PGRs with Sheri Strydhorst, agronomy research specialist with the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions, and Joanna Follings, cereals specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). Strydhorst and Follings discuss PGR use information and tips for the Prairies and Ontario, respectively.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Drought can have devastating effects on crops. Besides moisture stress, dry soil results in limited root activity, preventing roots from effectively taking up nutrients, and limited soil biological activity. In this episode of Inputs, Alan Blaylock, senior agronomist with Nutrien, shares tips and advice on recovering and adjusting fertilizer management strategies after experiencing drought conditions.

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Sponsored by Nutrien ESN.

You've collected your farm data through the season – but as harvest approaches, how can you ensure you're set up for success? Good data in is good data out, and in this episode, Chapin Bell, Climate Business Manager for FieldView in Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan, breaks down how you can put your data to work at harvest time. Bell shares pre-harvest best practices, like ensuring your apps and equipment are compatible, and tips to understand what your data is telling you.

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Plot2Farm looks to ask agronomic questions and conduct discussions about best management practices with the goal of helping farmers make better decisions. The project, led by the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions and co-ordinated by Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist, is a producer-driven program with the framework and support for producers to conduct their own research programs that can be easily implemented on farms throughout the province.

In this episode, co-host Dylan Sjolie learns more about the program from Jeremy Boychyn, who also shares highlights from some of the trials conducted to date.

Learn more about Plot2Farm here and follow Jeremy on Twitter @BoychynJeremy

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Insect pests are a fact of life in agriculture. Having an idea of what coming in the season ahead is just one of the benefits of tracking what's in your fields and knowing what's happening in the fields a town – or a province – over. Thanks to a group of entomologists and ag collaborators, the Prairies are being kept well-informed.

In this episode of Inputs, co-host Dylan Sjolie speaks with Meghan Vankosky, an agricultural entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Saskatoon Research and Development Centre and co-chair of the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN). She discusses the PPMN – what it is, how it came to be, and what insects it mainly monitors – as well as insect trends observed on the Prairies in 2022 and what the population maps indicate is likely to happen in 2023.

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Show notes

• Meghan can be reached on Twitter (@vanbugsky) and by email at meghanvankosky@agr.gc.ca 
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network: https://prairiepest.ca/
• Saskatchewan producers can sign up to participate in pest surveys at saskatchewan.ca/pest-monitoring 

Support for this episode provided by FCC Next-Gen.

The 2020 Plant Health Summit gathered farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry members at the TCU Place in Saskatoon to learn about the latest research and strategies for optimal crop health.

In the fifth episode of our Plant Health Summit Series, Syama Chatterton, plant pathologist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, discusses her research on aphanomyces and root rots; Dan Orchard, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada, and Curtis Henkelmann, a producer who farms in a clubroot region, discuss what they’ve learned about clubroot over the years and what other provinces can learn from Alberta.

No one’s a fan of Aphanomyces root rot - and for good reason. In a wet year, this disease can cause significant damage in field pea and lentil crops across the Prairies.

In this episode of Inputs, Dr. Michelle Hubbard, research scientist in pulse pathology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Swift Current, Sask., shares insight from some of the latest research on Aphanomyces root rot. She speaks to management strategies available now, including longer crop rotations, soil testing and field selection, and how research could expand the management options available in the future. She leaves listeners with the hopeful message that there is a lot of work going into this troublesome disease; progress is being made.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Busy harvesting and planning for next season, September is a hectic time for farmers in Western Canada. This past year proved to be a challenging one for growers in the Prairies – whether it was dealing with fluctuating weather patterns, trying to maintain soil health for next spring or keeping machinery clean and working efficiently, growers have a lot on their plate right now.

In this episode of Inputs, Carmen Prang, an agronomy extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, talks about some best practices when it comes to harvesting wheat in Western Canada, as well as some tips on how set yourself up for success next spring.

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Herbicide resistance is an industry-wide problem, which means everyone has a part to play in preventing or slowing the development of resistance. In this episode, Dale Ziprick, a product manager with Gowan Canada, discusses the benefits of herbicides old and new, slowing the development of glyphosate resistance in wild oat in Canada, and the importance of layering or rotating herbicides. 

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

High temperatures and limited soil moisture in precipitation created the perfect storm for many insect pests on the Prairies this year. As John Gavloski, entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, notes in this episode, grasshoppers and flea beetles were two of the most prominent insects found in the province this year. Beneficial insects were welcomed in many fields this year, but there were some unpleasant surprises as well.

Show notes:

• Twitter: @Johnthebugguy
• E-mail: John.Gavloski@gov.mb.ca 
• MB Insect page
• Summary of insects in Manitoba crops in 2021

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Gowan.

Herbicide resistance: it's a major concern in Canada, with the list of resistant weeds growing. Where it exists, waterhemp is one of the biggest concerns, given its ability to rapidly evolve resistance and current four-way resistant populations.

In this episode, Top Crop Manager associate editor Alex Barnard chats with Peter Sikkema and Kim Brown-Livingston about multiple-resistant waterhemp. Sikkema, professor of weed management at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, discusses the spread of multiple-resistant waterhemp in Ontario and how to manage it, chemically and with other tactics. Brown-Livingston, crop specialist, weeds, with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, emphasizes the importance of preventing further spread of this tier one noxious weed in the province.

 Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The 2020 Plant Health Summit gathered farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry members at the TCU Place in Saskatoon to learn about the latest research and strategies for optimal crop health.

In the fourth episode of our Plant Health Summit Series, Tyler Wist, a field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon, and John Gavloski, an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, discuss beneficial insects and neonicotinoids with Top Crop Manager's Stephanie Gordon and Alex Barnard.

Continuous corn has been possible the past couple decades thanks to Bt corn hybrids. But, as in many situations where there are limited options for control, the repeated use of Bt corn has allowed resistance to develop in corn rootworm populations. In a report published in late August, Tracey Baute, field crop entomologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), stated that cases of corn rootworm resistance to Bt rootworm (Bt-RW) hybrids have cropped up in fields of continuous corn in new counties. 

Corn is used by many livestock farmers as feed due to its abundance and nutritional content. So, what can we do? In this episode of Inputs, Baute discusses how Bt corn hybrids have worked to manage corn rootworm so far, how resistance has developed and what it means for corn growers going forward.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• OMAFRA's Field Crop News recently discussed strategies for dealing with resistant rootworm populations;
• Alternative forages to silage corn (compiled by OMAFRA forage and grazing specialist Christine O'Reilly;
• Baute references a massive windstorm in Iowa – this was the August 2020 Iowa derecho.

Support for this episode provided by Dekalb and FCC AgExpert.

Producers in Western Canada know all about canola, but as you head east, the bright yellow crop isn't as common. What’s the word on canola in Ontario? Meghan Moran, the canola and dry edible bean specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, chats with co-host Dylan Sjolie on all of the details of Ontario canola, including recent acreage, agronomy tips and what Ontario canola growers need to know for this season. Meghan shares insights on proper seeding depth, nutrient application, diseases to watch for, insects to keep an eye on and much more.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• Reach out to Meghan via email at meghan.moran@ontario.ca
• Find Meghan on Twitter @MegnMoran

In 2020, Manitoba will see the launch of two pea-protein processing facilities. This episode of Inputs: the podcast by Top Crop Manager, provides context on where the pea-protein industry is and explores some of the opportunities and challenges for growing peas. Cassandra Tkachuk, production specialist with the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, also joins us to provide an agronomy angle to the topic.

The 2020 Plant Health Summit gathered farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry members at the TCU Place in Saskatoon to learn about the latest research and strategies for optimal crop health.

In the second episode of our Plant Health Summit Series, Joy Agnew, director of applied research at Olds College in Alberta, discusses smart technology in agriculture and its applications with Top Crop Manager's associate editor Alex Barnard.

In late 2018/early 2019, Yvonne Lawley, a professor in the plant science department at the University of Manitoba, set out to learn more about what early adopters are doing with cover crops across the Prairies, as well as challenges and barriers to adopting the practice. Callum Morrison, a University of Manitoba PhD student, joined the project and brought the project's connection with farmers to the next level.

Lawley and Morrison were featured in an August 2020 episode of Inputs to discuss preliminary results of the 2019 survey and cover crop recommendations for Prairie growers. Now, nearing the culmination of their study, the two return to chat with Top Crop Manager assistant editor Alex Barnard to discuss outcomes gleaned from the survey and the future of the project.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

It's the most wonderful time of the year – to look back on the previous season and start planning (or finish planting) for next year! Given some challenging conditions during fall 2021 and summer 2022, how did the winter and spring cereal crops fare?

In this episode of Inputs, Sophie Krolikowski, acting cereals specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), discusses the 2022 season, starting with planting in fall 2021, how winter cereals planting has gone so far for the 2023 growing season, and some upcoming events and initiatives farmers can participate in.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• Field Crop News
• OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops
• Ontario Cereal Crops Committee
• Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee (through the Canadian Weed Science Society)
• Great Lakes YEN (yield enhancement network)
• Ontario Agriculture Conference (formerly SWAC)

Support for this episode provided by Gowan and Farm Credit Canada.

With harvest on the horizon, the performance of this year’s crop will set the stage for what’s required next year. Robert Mullen, director of agronomy sales for Nutrien, joins us on this episode of Inputs: the podcast by Top Crop Manager, to discuss post harvest best practices, from soil sampling to nutrient management.

As spring seeding gets underway in some parts of the country, our heads are filled with thoughts about what to expect this year. In this episode of Inputs, Stefanie Croley, editorial director of Top Crop Manager, is joined by Farmers Edge's Kris Kinnaird to chat about how to get a handle on all of the variables the coming season may bring, from a sustainability push and high input prices, to unpredictable weather and technology advancements.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Farmers Edge.

Opinions expressed in this recording are not necessarily those of the editor, publisher or brand team. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. Podcast recordings do not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised within a recording.

While there are indicators that help predict disease prevalence in a growing season, the many factors that influence crop disease risk and severity keep farmers, agronomists and pathologists on their toes.

2020 has been a wet year for many on the Prairies, but this has less of an effect on crop disease than you may expect, according to Kelly Turkington, a plant pathologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lacombe, Alta. Turkington explains why infection levels vary by year, a variety of management methods, and the importance of pathologists in determining disease prevalence and severity.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Crop conditions on the Prairies are extremely hot and dry, which is changing crop outlooks and plans created at seeding. Combined with the severe livestock feed shortage developing, affected producers might be considering converting some poorer-performing grains, pulses or oilseeds to greenfeed or silage.

David Van Deynze, chief product officer with the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), discusses what the recently declared agricultural state of disaster in several Manitoba rural municipalities means, the process for changing crops to alternate use without affecting your AgriInsurance coverage, and what's unique about the Hay Disaster Benefit this year.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Dekalb.

Show notes

• Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC)
• Putting crops to alternate use FAQ
• Contact a MASC service centre

Proper management of phosphorus is important to not only your own fields, but also general water quality in your surrounding area. In this episode, Dr. Merrin Macrae, professor at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, shares insights from her lab work and recent research in the Lake Erie watershed, and notes that while best practices can vary based on geography, there are several options for optimum P management.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Find Dr. Merrin Macrae on Twitter @merrinm or reach her via email at mmacrae@uwaterloo.ca.
• Check out what's happening at the University of Waterloo's Biogeochemistry Lab
• The paper referenced in the podcast can be found here

Sponsored by Proven Seed.

Fall soil management is important, and applying sulphur and other fertilizers in the fall can be beneficial to crops. But there are specific conditions to be mindful of in order to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.

In this episode, Cristie Preston, PhD, agronomist with Nutrien, shares recommendations for fall-applied fertilizer and how to mitigate the risks associated with applying sulphur in the fall.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Nutrien Smart Nutrition.

While fall is the most ideal time for soil sampling, spring sampling often needs to happen. In this episode, John Heard, soil fertility specialist with Manitoba Agriculture chats with ag editor Bree Rody about how to approach spring soil sampling, best practices for sampling and getting your soil in top shape as spring seeding approaches.

Never miss an episode by Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What information do canola growers need to improve their crop? The Manitoba Canola Growers Association set out to answer this question in 2022 through a survey and coordinating trials led by research manager Sonia Wilson.

Wilson joins co-host Dylan Sjolie in this episode to share details about her goals and position within the association, and insights about the trials conducted in 2022. With three different trials in 12 site locations, the Manitoba Canola Growers Association compiled data, now available on their website, to help canola growers in the province make better decisions.  

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Visit the Manitoba Canola Growers Association on Twitter @CanolaGrowers
• View more information and results from the Canola On-Farm Research Program
• Reach Sonia via email

Palmer amaranth is a term that makes farmers and agronomists shudder a little each time it's mentioned. Native to the United States, it's an invasive weed that has been on the radar in Canada for several years due to its ability to develop herbicide resistance so quickly. As Kim Brown-Livingston states, it grows quickly and causes incredible economic damage, making it a super (concerning) weed.

In this episode, Brown-Livingston, provincial weed specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and Rural Development, chats with co-host Dylan Sjolie about Palmer amaranth. With recent findings of the weed in Manitoba, Brown-Livingston shares details about Palmer amaranth, and what to do if it shows up in your field.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database
• Contact Kim Brown-Livingston via email or on Twitter @storytimewitkim

After a winter with below-average snowfall levels, farmers in Alberta and across the Prairies need to plan now for what could be a dry growing season. In this episode of Inputs, we are joined by agronomist extension specialist Ruoxi Xia, who works with Alberta Grains. Xia shares her insights and some tips on how growers can prepare for potential drought conditions, including what measures should be taken right now, which crops are more susceptible to dry conditions, what resources are available to farmers and much more.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

Cover crops are widely seen as a beneficial practice, with effects like improved soil health, weed management and erosion protection. They also require a little planning and knowledge to be successful.

Kris McNaughton is a research technician at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. She discusses the importance of forethought: termination of a cover crop, the crops that preceded and will follow in that field, and how herbicide use can affect the cover crop.

Yvonne Lawley, a professor in the plant science department at the University of Manitoba, and Callum Morrison, a University of Manitoba PhD student, discuss a cover crop survey they conducted in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2019 and the importance of considering the realities of your farm when deciding on cover crops.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• "What to consider when looking at cover crops," a webinar from April 2020 led by Anne Verhallen, OMAFRA horticultural soil management specialist.
• OMAFRA Publication 75A, Guide to Weed Control: Field Crops
• Midwest Cover Crop Council
• Cover crop selector tool
• Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide (and the mobile app version)
• Managing Cover Crops Profitably, published by the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) website for cover crops and and soil health
• North Dakota State University (NDSU) soil health website
• Soil Sense podcast
• Abbey Wick on Twitter: @NDSUsoilhealth
• On Twitter:
• @YvonneLawley_UM
• @CallumMorrisons
• @Anne_Verhallen
• @drobinridgetown

The 2019 growing season presented some challenges to Ontario cereal growers, but 2020 conditions were a welcome change for most producers across the province. In this episode, Joanna Follings, the cereals specialists for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, recaps the 2020 Ontario winter wheat and spring cereals season, and shares details about new data for growers to use in the coming years.

Check out the Ontario Cereal Crops Committee 2020 cereal reports here, and stay tuned for more data on spring cereals.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

When do you plant winter wheat? There may be an ideal date that comes to mind based on where you farm, but the reality is there are plenty of factors that affect when you actually get the crop in the ground, like the previous crop in rotation and when you can get it harvested, weather, soil conditions, and more.

This episode of Inputs features Emma Dieleman, graduate student at the University of Guelph's Ridgetown Campus conducting her research under the supervision of Drs. Dave Hooker and Josh Nasielski. She is looking at the effects of different winter wheat planting dates and the use of harvest desiccants on soybeans when they precede winter wheat in rotation, and discusses why this research is timely, her results so far, and what she's seen from this year's winter wheat crop already.

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Sponsored by Ag Direct Hail Insurance.

Soybean weed management in soybean is field-specific, and programs must be adjusted based on what's happening in each individual field. But, decades of research and trials across Ontario have shown promise in controlling different weed species and protecting soybean yields.

In this episode of Inputs, Peter Sikkema, professor in weed management for field crops at University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, and Allison Hayward, field development representative for FMC Canada, explore research findings in soybean weed management, and discuss strategies for growers to minimize weed competition in soybean.

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Support for this episode provided by FMC Canada.

With more and more digital agricultural tools on the farm – whether guiding or driving the tractor, tracking finances or prices, or optimizing conditions in a barn – cybersecurity management should be on your radar, no matter the size of your operation. Just like you would manage any new pest, you should add cybersecurity to your toolbox.

Janos Botschner, lead investigator of cyber security capacity in Canadian agriculture with the Community Safety Knowledge Alliance (CSKA), wants to ensure Canada's farmers are informed and prepared for cyber threats. In this episode of Inputs, he discusses the current risk situation, the bad actors at play, and some approaches to cyber preparedness and resilience (as well as resources available) that farmers should keep in mind.

 Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

We’re well into the growing season at this point. This episode aims to provide an update on how canola and soybeans on the Prairies are handling the challenges of this specific year – namely, the heat and drought conditions.

Top Crop Manager associate editor Alex Barnard speaks with Ian Epp, Saskatchewan agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada, and Laura Schmidt, production specialist, west, with Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, for a mid-season update on crop progress, weather effects, and pest pressure and management tips.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Climate FieldView.

Show notes

• Seed Manitoba
• Canola Council of Canada (CCC)
• Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG)
• Forewarned is forearmed: Soybean cyst nematode in Manitoba

Keeping nitrogen where you want it is most beneficial for your crop, the environment and your wallet. Enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers, or EENFs, are meant to do exactly that. But the different functions and varieties available can make it daunting to know what's the right choice.

Cheyne Ogilvie, an agrologist who recently completed her graduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan, spoke with Inputs co-host Dylan Sjølie about EENFs and her research on them. In this episode, she discusses what EENFs are and how the different varieties function, 4R nutrient management, and her graduate research on whether EENFs could reduce nitrous oxide emissions – specifically, in irrigated spring wheat in central Saskatchewan.

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Show notes

• You can find Cheyne on Twitter at @cheyne_ogilvie
• Her thesis can be found here.

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

On a global scale, nutrient deficiency is a huge driver of yield gap in wheat production, but other factors – like access to fertilizer and weather conditions – vary depending on region.

In this episode of Inputs, Aiden Sanden, a graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Richard Gray, shares details of his studies on mitigating the wheat yield gap. His thesis work aims to determine what the economic optimal allocation of nitrogen fertilizer use is in wheat production. How does the optimal level of nitrogen relate to what producers are actually using, and how does it relate to the yield gap?

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Show notes:

• Reach out to Aiden Sanden for more information: aiden.sanden@gmail.com
• Hear more on the wheat yield gap from Aiden and other researchers by watching the recorded Top Crop Summit presentation.

First found in Canada in the early 1900s, the European corn borer (ECB) is one of the most problematic corn pests. Found wherever corn is grown, from the Prairies to the Maritimes, ECB can impact grain quality, yield and harvest. Bt corn hybrids have helped to mitigate some of these risks, but in recent years, Bt-resistant European corn borer has been found in parts of Canada.

In this episode, Jocelyn Smith from the University of Guelph's Ridgetown Campus shares insights and updates on Bt-resistant European corn borer and some best management practices for corn growers.

Show notes

• Canadian Corn Pest Coalition
• Addressing Bt-resistant corn rootworm
• Dr. Jocelyn Smith on Twitter
• Dr. Jocelyn Smith - University of Guelph (Ridgetown Campus)

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

As producers plan and think ahead, a well-balanced crop rotation is one way to mitigate agronomic and business risk on the operation. Darren Bond, farm management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, joins us on this episode of Inputs to discuss what’s involved with good crop rotation. Bond touches on weeds, pests and disease management, changing varieties, weather considerations, as well as the economics of it all.

The Top Crop Summit, held virtually on Feb. 23 and 23, looked much different in 2021 than it had in years past. Through our virtual format, the Summit brought together experts, farmers, consultants and other industry members to share research updates and agronomic advice in advance of the 2021 growing season.

In this episode, editorial director Stefanie Croley introduces snippets of two pre-recorded interviews, available to Top Crop Summit attendees on-demand. First, Robyne Bowness Davidson, pulse research scientist at Lakeland College in Lacombe, Alta., gives a pulse crop update for Western Canada, with acreage and demand insights for field pea, lentil, faba bean and more. Then, you'll hear a portion of ag editor Bree Rody's interview with Albert Tenuta, field crop plant pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs based out of the University of Guelph in Ridgetown, Ont. Albert shared an update on the threat of tar spot to Canadian corn crops.

To hear more from Robyne, Albert and several other esteemed speakers, visit TopCropSummit.com to register and access the event recordings, and stay tuned for our digital edition wrapping up the Summit.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Tar spot monitoring at ipmPIPE
• FieldCropNews.com
• Crop Protection Network
• Albert Tenuta on Twitter: @AlbertTenuta
• Robyne Bowness Davidson on Twitter: @PulseChickAB

Opinions expressed in this recording are not necessarily those of the editor, publisher or brand team. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. Podcast recordings do not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised within a recording.

Farmers across Canada experienced a "harvest from hell" in 2019; one that couldn't end soon enough (but for many, one that continued through spring 2020). Top Crop Manager's Harvest Hub will share content to help you prepare for what harvest 2020 might bring, including this bonus episode of Inputs featuring our Western Field Editor, Bruce Barker and Charley Sprenger, project leader with the Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute (PAMI). Bruce and Charley chat about grain storage principles, aeration, preventing grain spoilage and much more.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• PAMI storage factsheets
• Sask Ag Natural Air Grain Drying factsheets

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In March, during the first installment of our two-part series on managing drought, we chatted about what growers need to be doing right now to ensure their soil and crops have the best opportunity to thrive this coming summer.

In this episode of Inputs, we expand on this topic, tapping into some of the measures farmers need to take over the course of the growing season to maintain healthy soil and crops. Dustin Farr is an instructor in the ag management program at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, and he shares some of his insights into improving soil health and water retention, as well as how farmers can conserve a healthy growing environment during dry conditions.

Nitrogen use efficiency is an index of how well a plant is putting its nitrogen to use for higher yields. Knowing how to improve management practices surrounding nitrogen is a win for your crop and the environment. 

In this episode of Inputs, Dr. Kate Congreves, associate professor in the Department of Plant Sciences and Jarislowsky research chair, discussed her latest research projects related to nitrogen, including nitrogen use efficiency in spring wheat varieties and overwinter and spring thaw nitrous oxide emissions in the Northern Prairies. She also speaks to the importance of soil sampling, the value of enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) and the potential for green ammonia. 

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In mid-September, thousands of Ontario aggies descend on Woodstock, Ont., annually for Canada's Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) to see the latest (and biggest) equipment and machinery, innovations and technology. One of the elements that the pandemic put into perspective was the value of conversations held at events like this – whether at a booth, watching a demonstration, or in the beer tent, having a casual chat is a great way to learn what other people in agriculture are thinking, considering, or trying.

In this episode of Inputs, Top Crop Manager East editor Alex Barnard spoke with:

• Peggy Brekveld, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture alumni, about how the conversations and concerns brought up at a show can influence future policy discussions;
• Ian Virtue, marketing and communications co-ordinator with the Ontario Soil Network and Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario (IFAO), about his recent switch from the world of finance to agriculture, what motivated his decision, and what he's learned so far; and
• Dean Anderson, strategic advisor, agriculture, with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, about tips on how to stay safe – and keep those around you safe – during the hectic harvest season.

 Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

Peas and other pulse crops have grown in popularity over the years, but growing pulses doesn't come without challenges - like any crop, weed and disease pressure can devastate a field. But with more and more market opportunities and resources for growers, the interest - and potential - for pulse crops continues to grow.

In this episode, Laura Schmidt, production specialist with Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, shares an update on pulse crops and resources for growers in the province.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers
• Manitoba Crop Diagnostic Services

Sponsored by Nutrien Smart Nutrition.

The 2020 Plant Health Summit gathered farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry members at the TCU Place in Saskatoon to learn about the latest research and strategies for optimal crop health.

In the third episode of our Plant Health Summit Series, Sheri Strydhorst, an agronomic research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and Amy Mangin, a PhD student at the University of Manitoba, discuss the nuances of plant growth regulators with Top Crop Manager's associate editor Alex Barnard.

Using winter wheat in rotation can be beneficial to Ontario producers – besides revitalizing soil and disrupting pest cycles, manure can be applied after winter wheat harvest and before planting a cover crop.

In this episode, Christine Brown, field crop sustainability specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shares tips for fall manure application after winter wheat, and gives a preview of the North American Manure Expo, held virtually in 2021. Visit manureexpo.ca to learn more about the North American Manure Expo and register for this free virtual event.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Harvest is a time of short timelines and quick turnarounds at the mercy of the weather and crop readiness. It's hard to find the time to get everything done, let alone sleeping and eating, which can lead to rushed decisions and increased risk.

This episode features Rob Gobeil, agricultural health and safety specialist with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. He discusses the factors that increase the risk of accident and injury at harvest time, as well as things farmers can do to protect themselves, their employees and their operation.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Download a free poster on grain bin safety here.

This marks the 100th episode of Inputs. To celebrate this milestone, we invited a special guest to join us and share his insight on a topic that’s on everyone’s mind lately: AI in agriculture. 

As in every other industry, AI is taking off rapidly - and agriculture is no exception. Darrell Petras, CEO of the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) explains the specific ways AI is being used in agriculture right now, the challenges it might help solve in the future and the potential benefit to a farmer’s bottom line. 

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

It's said the first cut is the deepest – for forages, it's also the longest in terms of plant development and giving pesky insects the opportunity to snack on the growing crop.

Christine O'Reilly, forage and grazing specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), discusses how the season is going so far in preparation for (or shortly after) the first cut for many forage farmers, as well as scouting and management tips for alfalfa weevil and potato leafhopper, the two major insect pests with which Ontario forage growers must contend.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• fieldcropnews.com
• Ontario Crop Protection Hub
• Publication 811, OMAFRA's Agronomy Guide for Field Crops
• May 2022 Ontario forage report
• Potato leafhopper in alfalfa
• Alfalfa weevil

This episode is sponsored by Ag Direct Hail Insurance.

Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV), first identified in Canadian field pea breeding lines in 1974, is an economically damaging pathogen affecting pulse crops, including field pea, lentils and fababeans. Its symptoms on pulses include mosaicked leaves, delayed or uneven crop maturation, and various forms of seed and pod deformation. 

Dr. Sean Prager, entomologist and associate professor in the department of plant sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. Prager runs a lab that focuses (mainly) on insect ecology and management, and is involved with a project looking at pea aphids as a vector of infection for PSbMV.

In this episode, Prager speaks with Inputs co-host Dylan Sjolie about what PSbMV is and how to recognize it in pulse crops, management options, and the recently funded PSbMV project with which he's involved. 

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• You can reach Prager on Twitter at @USaskEnt or via email at sean.prager@usask.ca
• Learn more about Prager's research at Prager Lab
• More information on project objectives can be found here: Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund

Support for this episode provided by AGI.

Insect pest pressure in the 2020 growing season is quite clearly divided between Eastern and Western Canada. The hot, dry conditions in Ontario have resulted in an increase of insect pests in variety and populations. On the Prairies, the wet conditions haven’t allowed many insect pests to flourish, so pressure is lower across the board, but there are some new insects to watch out for.

Tracey Baute, field crop entomologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), and Tyler Wist, field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Saskatoon, shed light on the environmental conditions create insect pressure, which insects to watch for in August, and useful resources that will help identify and manage insect pests.

Show notes

• @TraceyBaute on Twitter
• Field Crop News
• Corn silk-clipping threats
• Baute Bug Blog
• Hashtags to follow on Twitter: #scout20, #ontag
• Great Lakes and Maritimes Pest Monitoring Network
• OMAFRA Publication 811, Agronomy Guide for Field Crops
• Pest Manager app (second app in the list)
• @TylerWist1 on Twitter
• Field Heroes
• Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in Western Canada: identification and management
• The new Prairie Pest Monitoring Network website
• Western Forum on Pest Management
• Meghan Vankosky and Boyd Mori on Twitter

Peter Sikkema has been researching the importance of weed management on soybean crops for more than three decades now. A professor of weed management for field crops at the University of Guelph, much of Sikkema’s work has been conducted in Ontario, but there are key takeaways from his research for soybean growers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

During this episode of Inputs, Sikkema, along with FMC Canada’s technical sales manager for the Eastern Prairies region, Rachel Evans, talk about several issues facing soybean growers when it comes implementing a quality weed management strategy. Sikkema and Evans discuss the impact of weed interference, factors that influence yield loss due to weed interference, how farmers can minimize losses, as well as other findings from Sikkema’s research and related work done in Manitoba.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Top Crop Manager has long focused on delivering third-party research results and insights to farmers across Canada – but there's so much more than we can share within our print pages. In this episode of Inputs, we introduce a new series called the Graduate Research Showcase, featuring Amanda Fedorchuk, a master's student at the University of Saskatchewan studying plant science.

Amanda joins Inputs host Dylan Sjolie to share methodologies and results from her thesis work aiming to boost weed control in faba bean using several integrated weed management techniques. As Amanda notes, combining residual herbicides with several cultural options increases the overall competitive ability of the crop against herbicide-resistant weeds, while extending the life of the herbicides.

Show notes: 

• Contact Amanda via email at amanda.fedorchuk@usask.ca with questions about her research. 

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by ESN Smart Nitrogen.

Wheat stem sawfly has been a problem pest for Prairie growers for years due to a lack of effective chemical options and lifecycle adaptations of the insect.

In this episode of Inputs, Dylan Sjolie, former graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Meghan Vankosky and Dr. Christian Willenborg and recent co-host of Inputs, shares details of his recently defended thesis research on population dynamics of wheat stem sawfly. His thesis work looked at the pest's larval mortality factors on the Canadian Prairies and how early season temperatures affected the adult portion of the lifecycles of both wheat stem sawfly and its parasitoid, Bracon cephi. 

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Gowan.

Opinions expressed in this recording are not necessarily those of the editor, publisher or brand team. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. Podcast recordings do not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised within a recording.

The world of agriculture technology is changing, and there's no time to be left behind. In this episode, Andrew Olliver, chair of the Agriculture Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) joins ag editor Bree Rody to discuss the advances in ISOBUS technology, and how the AEF is working to solve compatibility issues and help growers become more knowledgable about their ag tech.

This episode is sponsored by the Agriculture Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF).

Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ontario saw poor winter wheat survival in 2019, in part because of wet weather in the fall and spring. To avoid a repeat season, growers are exploring how to ensure their crop gets off to a good start. In this episode, Joanna Follings discusses some of the risks of planting early, ideal seeding rate and depth, along with some input considerations for a good winter wheat crop.

April, May and June showers bring... bumper crops? That's the hope, especially in Manitoba, where excess rain has delayed seeding and spraying, impacted crop emergence and created high weed, disease and insect pest pressure. In this episode of Inputs, co-host Dylan Sjolie chats with entomologist John Gavloski and field crop pathologist David Kaminski, both with Manitoba Agriculture, on the challenges producers are facing in the province. Gavloski and Kaminski share insight on how precipitation affects the development of plant diseases and insects, as well as advice and predictions for the remainder of the season.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Manitoba Agriculture releases a weekly crop report with regional information for producers.
• Manitoba Crop Pest Updates are released regularly through the growing season.
• Fusarium head blight risk maps are updated daily through the season.

According to surveys conducted between 2015 and 2017, 48 to 99 per cent of lentil and pea fields in Saskatchewan had moderate to severe root rot; heavily infested fields in Saskatchewan and Alberta reported complete yield losses. There are few tools to combat root rots available – long crop rotations or lowering the pathogen load in a field through control options applied to other crops in rotation are the most common ones to combat Aphanomyces euteiches and Fusarium avenaceum – two soil-borne root rots found across the Prairies – respectively.

In January, Sabine Banniza, a professor in the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and Bioresources, received funding from Saskatchewan's Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Association for a four-year project to develop a multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) lentil population that aims to have resistance to A. euteiches and F. avenaceum.

In this episode of Inputs, Banniza speaks with Top Crop Manager East editor Alex Barnard about the goals and intended methods of the MAGIC lentil project, lentil breeding and resistance genes in general, and the particular challenges created by A. euteiches and F. avenaceum.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

In this second bonus episode as part of our Harvest Hub series, Top Crop Manager's Western Field Editor Bruce Barker talks to Charley Sprenger, project leader at the Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute (PAMI), about management of stored pulses. This episode is part of Harvest Hub, a week of content dedicated to sharing insights and tips to help Canadian farmers prepare for harvest season.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• PAMI storage factsheets
• Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
• Alberta Pulse Growers
• Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Agriculture can be a contentious topic when speaking with the general public, as there is a lot of misinformation or confusion about the industry out there. But educating the public, whether on social media, at the coffee shop, or on a broader scale can be difficult when the industry is so diverse and resources aren't always easily accessible. Enter The Real Dirt on Farming, a magazine on agriculture in Canada that addresses many of the hot button issues and puts faces to the people who feed the country.

Kelly Daynard, executive director of Farm and Food Care Ontario (the organization that puts out The Real Dirt on Farming), talks about the latest edition, the purpose of the project, and some of the stories she's heard from farmers who've been working to share the importance of agriculture with those around them.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• Farm and Food Care Ontario
• On Twitter/X: @FarmFoodCareON
• The Real Dirt on Farming, 6th Edition

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

They may be hard to see, but don’t make the mistake of neglecting these tiny, green pests until it’s too late! Aphids can cause damage to several crops, particularly when high numbers descend on your field, as can lygus bugs, which can wreak havoc even in lower quantities.

In this episode of Inputs, John Gavloski, an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, and Rachel Evans, technical sales manager for the eastern Prairies with FMC Canada, talk about how to control aphids and lygus bugs, as well as what growers can expect this coming season.

Biscuity, bready, toffee, a chewy mouth feel – if you appreciate these adjectives in your beer, you have malt barley to thank. This cereal is the lesser-known hero of many a craft brew, next to the punchier presence of hops. 

Aaron Mills, an agronomist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Charlottetown, P.E.I., has parlayed an interest in craft beer – developed while working at a craft brewery in the Annapolis Valley – into a search for barley varieties suited for growing conditions in Atlantic Canada. In this episode of Inputs, Mills and Alex Barnard, editor of Top Crop Manager East, discuss how craft beer has informed his research, what he looks for in a malt barley variety for the East Coast, and the challenges of growing the crop in Maritime conditions.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• The Jason mentioned in this episode is Jason McCallum, a research scientist with AAFC-Charlottetown who collaborates with Mills on Maritime hops and barley research.

The Canola Council of Canada recently launched Canola 4R Advantage, a program designed to help growers initiate or advance nutrient stewardship and fertilizer efficiency on canola farms. Curtis Rempel, vice-president of crop production and innovation for the Canola Council of Canada, joins co-host Stefanie Croley to discuss the program and break down the benefits available to canola producers.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Find out more about the Canola 4R Advantage program here.

Adding forages to your rotation can bring myriad benefits, including increased soil health and additional cash crop options. But the choices are seemingly endless. What to choose? Where to begin?

In this episode, Perry Ross, forage product line representative with Nutrien Ag Solutions and Proven Seed shares the benefits of adding forages to your rotations, how to select the right crop for your needs and other factors to consider.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Proven Seed.

Pulse crops have made waves in Western Canada in recent years, and for good reason – they're high in protein and pull their weight in a rotation by fixing nitrogen. Like any crop, there are agronomic challenges, but there's growing potential.

In this episode, Robyne Davidson, pulse crop specialist and research scientist at Lakeland College in Lacombe, Alta., shares agronomic insights about how well pulse crops performed in the province this season, and gives updates on the research pipeline.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Have questions about pulse crops? Reach out to Robyne via email or on Twitter @PulseChickAB

Soils at Guelph wants to get the science-backed, sustainable word out about soil health. Led by the ag research power trio of Kari Dunfield, Laura Van Eerd and Claudia Wagner-Riddle as co-executive directors, it serves as a multidisciplinary, collaborative knowledge hub for researchers and industry stakeholders to bring together their expertise and questions about soil.

In this episode of Inputs, Heather White, knowledge mobilization and communications co-ordinator at Soils at Guelph, discusses what the initiative is, the collaborative nature of the work conducted through Soils at Guelph, and opportunities for grower involvement.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• Soils at Guelph is on the web and on Twitter @SoilsAtGuelph
• Cooking with Covers: A three-part video mini-series on cover crops put together by White's predecessor;
• The Soil Your Undies program;
• Have a soil question? Want to get involved? Reach out to the Soils at Guelph team at soils@uoguelph.ca.

Support for this episode provided by Nutrien eKonomics and Corteva.

In what's already been a tough year due to extreme drought in Western Canada, and excess rain in many parts of Ontario, minimizing losses during harvest is more important than ever. In this episode of Inputs, Lorne Grieger, business development representative at the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) shares insights on minimizing harvest through combine adjustments, referencing a recent report completed by PAMI.

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The 2020 Plant Health Summit gathered farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry members at the TCU Place in Saskatoon to learn about the latest research and strategies for optimal crop health.

In the seventh and final episode of our Plant Health Summit Series, Tom Wolf, a spray application specialist, co-owner of Agrimetrix Research and Training in Saskatoon, and co-creator of Sprayers 101, discusses the importance of timing, best fungicide spray practices, and how to get the most out of your spray days with associate editor Alex Barnard.

Insect pests are a fact of life each season; the big question is which ones are going to pose a greater problem than others. While it's not possible to know everything before the growing season kicks off in earnest, there are factors already at play which can provide some indication of what to watch for.

In this episode, Eastern editor Alex Barnard chats with Tracey Baute, field crop entomologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, discuss top insect pests from 2022, pests to watch for in 2023, and what to know about the loss of products containing lambda-cyhalothrin.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• Field Crop News: Field crop pest management in the absence of Matador, Silencer, Voliam Xpress and Endigo in 2023
• Podcast: Managing Bt-resistant corn rootworm

Support for this episode provided by Gowan. 

With all of the technology implemented in modern agriculture, automation and robotics is likely the next logical leap – but it can feel like an exceptionally large one for many. Between the economic, technological, and reliability considerations, there's the added difficulty of knowing which machine might work best for your operation, and whether it can do what it's supposed to. In Ontario, the AgRobotics Working Group has been hard at work for a few years to make things clearer and more approachable.

In this episode of Inputs, Eastern editor Alex Barnard chats with Chuck Baresich, general manager of Haggerty Creek Ltd. president of Haggerty AgRobotics, in Bothwell, Ont., and member of the Ontario AgRobotics Working Group. Baresich discusses reframing how we think about return on investment (ROI) regarding robotics, the robots Haggerty trials and demonstrates, and the responses they've received from farmers, as well as some possible next steps for ag robotics adoption in Ontario.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support for this episode provided by Nutrien ESN.

Technology has come a long way since its first uses in agriculture, and advancements are continually made. While traditional pen-and-paper tracking methods are still effective, digital tools provide opportunities for collaboration between all involved on the farm, from the key decision-makers to agronomists and consultants, and everyone in between. And, with more and more time spent planning, reviewing and analyzing data, digital tools can make the process easier and more collaborative than ever before.

In this episode of Inputs, Marvin Talsma, product marketing manager (Canada) with Climate FieldView, chats with editorial director Stefanie Croley about the Climate FieldView platform and the different ways to access and use the data it provides.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Climate FieldView.

This episode of Inputs talks about late-planted corn, the future of the seed industry in Canada, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Production Pundits session. The Southwest Agricultural Conference is an annual conference held in southwestern Ontario that takes producers ‘back to school’ on the latest topics in farming. In the episode, Ben Rosser, corn specialist with Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, shares what Ontario corn growers can learn from the 2019 season, Steve Denys with Maizex Seeds provides insight into where the seed and plant breeding industry is heading in Canada, and associate editor Stephanie Gordon goes behind-the-scenes with Pat Lynch and Peter Johnson of the Production Pundits.

This bonus episode of Inputs is all about canola – from how harvest was to producer plans for 2020. Associate editor Stephanie Gordon shares highlights from when she travelled to Winnipeg to attend the Canola Discovery Forum from Nov. 13 to 15, 2019. In the episode, Keith Gabert, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada, shares ways growers can improve their integrated pest management strategies, producers Scott Keller and Troy LaForge share what they do on their operation, and Ashley Robinson, Canadian agriculture reporter with Bloomberg, shares the latest news on the China-Canada canola trade dispute.

The 2020 Plant Health Summit gathered farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry members at the TCU Place in Saskatoon to learn about the latest research and strategies for optimal crop health.

Our sixth episode features Leon Kochian, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Global Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan, in conversation with Stephanie Gordon about next-generation technologies for tomorrow’s crops, what this all means in layman’s terms and what we can learn from his experience working in agriculture globally.

Yield maps, moisture maps, combine speed – collecting this harvest data can be helpful, but how do we put it into play? Lydia Parker, field product specialist with Climate FieldView, shares tips on preparing for harvest and how to use harvest data to your advantage throughout the entire growing season, from seeding to post-harvest.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Much has been made of cover crops and their benefits over the past several years, and for good reason. While no cover crop is a quick fix or solution to all a field's problems, when treated like specialist tools and used with defined goals in mind, they can do many things, including busting up compacted soils, boosting soil organic matter, keeping weeds down – and suppressing diseases like Fusarium root and crown rot in soybean and barley, according to a recently published study based on research at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research centre in Charlottetown. 

In this episode of Inputs, Eastern editor Alex Barnard discusses the study with two of the researchers: AAFC research scientist Adam Foster and Harini Aiyer, now a graduate student at the University of British Columbia. Foster and Aiyer contextualize the research, discuss the results, and share some quick advice for growers.

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Show notes

• Aiyer's M.Sc. thesis, based on the research conducted at AAFC-Charlottetown with Foster (leads to a pdf download)

What crops benefit from a fall fertilizer application, and when, where, and how should you approach it? Robert Mullen, director of agronomy sales for Nutrien, joins us on this episode of Inputs, to share some best practices.

The 2020 season threw some curve balls at soybean growers in Manitoba: a slow, cold start, precipitation extremes, and an early killing frost. In this episode, Top Crop Manager associate editor Alex Barnard discusses the challenges and outcomes of the soybean season with Laura Schmidt, production specialist with Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to Inputs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Nutrien eKonomics.

Show notes:

• Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers
• 2020 Pulse and Soybean Variety Guide
• The Bean Report, MPSG's biweekly newsletter
• Production resources
• On-Farm Network
• MPSG on Twitter

What role does potassium play in crop management, and how do crops respond when there’s a deficiency of it? Robert Mullen, the director of agronomy sales for Nutrien, discusses the ins and outs of potassium fertilizer on this episode of Inputs.

Looking to spice up or lengthen your rotation? For the past five years, the Diverse Field Crops Cluster (DFCC) has been working to make the decision to include special crops in your operation easier.

Led by Ag-West Bio and with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program and industry partners, the DFCC is supporting research and development of flax, camelina, canaryseed, sunflower, hemp, quinoa and mustard.

In this episode of Inputs, Eastern editor Alex Barnard is joined by:

• Carol Ann Patterson, DFCC project manager;
• Rick Mitzel, DFCC's mustard crop sector member and executive director of SaskMustard;
• Carlene Sarvas, DFCC's camelina crop sector member and camelina production lead at Smart Earth Camelina; and
• Jeff Kostuik, DFCC's hemp crop sector member and general manager of Verve Seeds.

The five discuss the purpose of DFCC, three of the seven crops included in the cluster, and what the project has achieved so far.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• Diverse Field Crops Cluster website
• Mustard
• SaskMustard website
• Mustard production manual
• Cory Jacob, Saskatchewan oilseed specialist
• Camelina
• Smart Earth Camelina website
• Hemp
• Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance website
• Hemp production eGuide

Support for this episode provided by Nutrien eKonomics and Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

Here’s the good news about wireworms: of the more than 300 species found on the Prairies, only four or five cause trouble for agricultural production. The bad news? This patchy pest can create serious trouble in fields – but also completely ignore neighbouring areas, making it a constant battle to scout and track wireworm populations. Research on wireworm management and thresholds is a little thin on the ground, but current projects and studies seek to change this, giving growers a better idea of when and how to control this insect complex.

In this episode, Haley Catton, field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, Alta., discusses what makes wireworms such a tricky pest to control. She also provides information on broflanilide – an active ingredient registered last fall with Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) – and pest management tips for growers.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Climate FieldView.

It's officially spring, which means planting time is fast approaching. What should Ontario corn growers keep in mind as they prepare for the 2023 growing season?

In this episode of Inputs, Ben Rosser, corn specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), recaps the 2022 corn season, shares some things to watch for in the coming season, and discusses a corn strip-till fertility trial going on at the University of Guelph.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes:

• Visit gocorn.net for hybrid info, seasonal summaries, interactive tools and more.
• FieldCropNews.com posts helpful articles throughout the growing season.

Support for this episode provided by Gowan.

The start of the 2024 growing season is coming fast – do you have a plan for spring nutrient management?

In this episode of Inputs, Chris Brown, field crop sustainability specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), discusses considerations for successful spring manure application, as well as best management practices and an alternate nutrient source coming from urban areas.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Show notes

• AgriSuite
• Organic Amendment Decision Support Tool

Support for this episode provided by Smart Nutrition MAP + MST.