The Growing Point Podcast (thegrowingpointpodcast)

Loss of glyphosate as a tool in our toolbox is a growing concern. Countries around the globe are already planning on removing the product from use. In this podcast, I chat with Dr. Beckie about his recent research paper which outlines potential impacts that would come with the loss of glyphosate as well what can be done to maintain soil moisture conservation and weed control if this valuable tool is lost.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mario Tenuta, the Senior Industrial Research Chair in 4R Nutrient Management and Professor at the university of Manitoba, to discuss strategies for optimizing nitrogen use in farming. Dr. Tenuta outlines nitrogen losses and the benefits of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, such as urease and nitrification inhibitors. He provides advice on application techniques and timing, tailored to different soil types and environmental conditions. By integrating the "4 Rs" framework—right rate, source, timing, and placement—Dr. Tenuta discusses how to balance environmental concerns with the economic realities of modern farming.

We chat with Dr. Kelly Turkington regarding how to best time fusarium head blight (FHB) applications in relation to crop staging, environment, and other risk factors. Recent research has shown that the infection window for FHB is wider than initially thought. How does this affect your in-field tactics and end grain quality?

With high fertilizer prices, ongoing drought, and potential for nitrogen carryover from the 2021 season, it is important we assess nitrogen is available in the soil for the 2022 growing season. Dr. Don Flaten (Retired University of Manitoba professor) and John Heard (Soil fertility specialist with the Government of Manitoba) provide insight into how mineralization and immobilization play a role in your nitrogen fertility plan. Hint: your expected nitrogen release value may not be as reliable as you think!

Today we chat with Dr. Sheri Strydhorst. Sheri shares insights into crop rotations on the prairies. We discuss the results of a recently completed research project led by Dr. Kui Lui (AAFC Swift Current) that investigated various types of rotation (Control, Diversified, Intensified, Market Driven, High Risk, and Soil health)and how those rotations impact yield, yield stability, nitrogen use efficiency, and, net revenue. 

Results of the research can be found here: https://wgrf.ca/resilient-rotations-factsheet/

More information on the research can be found here: Strydhorst, S. and Lui, K. 2023. Comparison of integrated crop rotation systems in western Canada. Crops and Soils Magazine.

Sheri Strydhorst Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheristrydhorst?lang=en

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jeff Schoenau, Professor of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Schoenau provides a breakdown of the major pathways that nitrogen can be lost to the environment. He also discusses management practices producers can implement to mitigate loss and increase their nitrogen use efficiency.

In this episode, we chat with Edgar Hammermeister. Edgar is the Manager of Professional Agronomy at Western Ag. I chat with Edger about what the birch effect is, how it works, and how it affects farmers nitrogen decisions. We discuss the impacts that variable nitrogen release from soil organic matter has on nitrogen planning and what producers can do to be more accurate with their decisions.

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Breanne Tidemann about why weeds are jerks. We chat about the current state of weed resistance in Western Canada, how we got here, and what it means for farmers' pockets. We also chat about what weed resistance looks like in a field, how it develops in a plant, and what producers can do to mitigate resistance. Check out the Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee website here, https://weedscience.ca/wild-oat-action-committee/ and follow them on Twitter @RWildOat. (https://twitter.com/RWildOat)

In this episode, we discuss tools being investigated for future wheat midge control, featuring entomologist researcher Dr. Tyler Wist, from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon. We talk through current pest biology, impacts, and distribution as well as what is currently being researched to assist with future pest control. We discuss what the research looks like and what kind of insights we’ve gained so far.

We chat with Dr. Kate Congreves (Assistant Prof at the University of Saskatchewan) regarding some exciting work she is currently conducting. Partially funded by the Alberta Wheat Commission(AWC) to conduct this research, Congeves is working with breeders to investigate Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in spring wheat cultivars. Understanding which Canadian wheat varieties have higher NUE can increase the value a producer receives from each unit of nitrogen. This is because varieties with higher NUE are able to produce each unit of yield on less nitrogen. This research has many impacts for producers of spring wheat in western Canada including future access to more nitrogen efficient varieties as well as a better understanding of what currently available varieties display higher NUE.

Dr. Cuthbert shares his knowledge of the history and challenges surrounding breeding for stem solidness and wheat stem sawfly resistance in spring wheat. He discusses how solid stemness breeding compares to fusarium head blight advances. Cuthbert also discusses genetics that may be available for producers to help manage wheat stem sawfly challenges in the near future.

Richard can be contacted at Richard.Cuthbert@AGR.GC.CA

On this episode of The Growing Point Podcast, I speak with Dr. Martin Entz, a professor at the University of Manitoba. Entz describes tillage as it relates to soil health and crop production in western Canada. We discuss how much tillage is too much tillage, the types of tillage and their impacts on soil, and how producers can think about tillage. We also discuss the relationship between tillage, plant diversity, soil health.

The episode includes a conversation with Carey and Kelly regarding how seed testing occurs and what that means for managing that seed lot and your crop. Germination rates, vigour, disease and more can all affect your crop establishment and in-crop concerns. We go into detail about how these tests are conducted, and how each result should play a role in your decision making. Heading into seeding season, this podcast will help answer some questions around crop/seed planning and management.

In this podcast, we chat with Dr. Brian Beres regarding his current research on closing yield gaps in Western Canada. Part of his research involves capturing management information from producers through a survey. We discuss the survey and research value to western Canadian producers and how it will impact producers goal of closing yield gaps in the future.

To learn more about this survey click here: https://albertawheat.com/media/the-growing-point/february-2021/yield-gap

In this episode we talk with Dr. Anita Brûlé-Babel, a professor at the University of Manitoba, who focuses her research on breeding for disease resistance in wheat. We discuss the challenges of breeding for FHB, how it differs from other diseases, how resistant varieties play a role in disease management on farm, and what the future of FHB resistance looks like.

In this episode, we speak with Wes Anderson, Vice President of agronomy with Croptimistic Technology. Anderson discusses the terms alkali, alkaline, saline, and saline-sodic and how they impact land and crop management.

In this episode, we speak with Myles Dick professor of soil science in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta. I chat with Myles about the legacy of the Breton Plots, a long-standing plot research location in Alberta, Canada that has been conducting trials since 1929. We also discuss how decisions are made around some of the legacy plots and what agricultural knowledge the Breton Plots are providing today.

Dr. Meghan Vankosky of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada discusses the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN). Who is involved, what information you can find, and how it can help with making on farm decisions. Meghan outlines why this is such a valuable tool for producers and agronomists in western Canada and how to start receiving it.

The survey sign up page is now live and can be found here: https://bit.ly/3bCs9XN

In this episode of The Growing Point podcast, we chat with Sherwin Santiano, a malting and brewing technician of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre and Peter Watts, the managing director of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre. We discuss what malt barley is, what the malting process looks like, as well as the impacts that malting quality and farm management can have on the process. This podcast is chalked full of information about the malting process so enjoy!

In this episode, we discuss the Alberta Regional Variety Trials (RVT) for wheat and barley, with guest Dr. Sheri Strydhorst, the RVT Coordinator. We explore the role of RVT data in guiding wheat and barley growers in Alberta to make informed decisions. Dr. Strydhorst provides an overview of the RVT process, from trial location selection to variety inclusion and data analysis. we run through scenarios of how to interpret key performance indicators such as yield, disease resistance, maturity, and quality, while understanding regional adaptations and performance. This podcast will help you leverage RVT data to select the most suitable varieties for your farm, and use trial insights to refine agronomic practices and long-term crop planning.  Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the full potential of wheat and barley production in Alberta.

Continuation of the conversation with Dr. Hugh Beckie. Loss of glyphosate as a tool in our toolbox is a growing concern. Countries around the globe are already planning on removing the product from use. In this podcast, I chat with Dr. Beckie about his recent research paper which outlines potential impacts that would come with the loss of glyphosate as well what can be done to maintain soil moisture conservation and weed control if this valuable tool is lost.

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Charles Geddes, a weed research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge. Geddes discusses with us the challenges of managing kochia and some tactics producers can implement to fight back. Geddes discusses the impacts of different crop types as well as cultural practices that can push back on kochia pressure.

In crop nitrogen application during early summer on spring wheat can be beneficial for yield. But what considerations around products, equipment, and timing need to be discussed. AAFC researcher Dr. Brian Beres give us some helpful tips.

We chat with Dr. Charles Geddes of Agriculture and Agri-Food (Lethbridge). Geddes shares the results of the recent kochia resistance survey in Alberta, why kochia is such a challenge, and management tactics to mitigate resistance, among other things. More details on the results of the survey can be found here: https://canadianagronomist.ca/multiple-resistant-kochia-continues-to-spread-in-alberta/

In this episode of The Growing Point Podcast we chat with Dr. Michael Harding (Pathologist with Alberta Agriculture & Forestry) about bacterial disease in western Canada. Harding breaks down the life cycle, various forms, impacts, management tactics, and environmental conditions conducive for bacterial blights to be of concern. For more information or if you suspect you may be dealing with bacterial blight, feel free to reach out to Dr. Harding at Michael.Harding@gov.ab.ca.

In this episode of The Growing Point podcast, we chat with Peter Watts, the managing director of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre. We chat with Peter about the current status of the malt barley market, where the majority of Canadian malt barley is sold, and where there are future opportunities for malt barley market growth. We also discuss some of the new malting varieties available for malt barley growers, and why growers need to take a keen look at new variety options.

Links for further information:

CMBTC: https://cmbtc.com/

New variety information videos:

Better Malt Better Barley: Pre-harvest in St. Albert Alberta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWC7M1W7-Cg

Better Malt Better Barley: Pre-harvest in Westlock Alberta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqhoiYd3bG8

Better Malt Better Barley: Early season in Westlock Alberta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d7uG2yda1Y

This episode of The Growing Point podcast includes 3 short interviews conducted in December 2019 at Prairie Cereals Summit (PCS) in Banff. Interviews include i) Dr. Brian Beres (AAFC Lethbridge) on the topic of ultra-early seeding ii) Dr. Hiroshi Kubota (AAFC Lacombe) on the topic of nitrogen rates on malt barley varieties and iii) Laurel Thompson crop researcher at Lakeland College on the topic of managing malt barley varieties for feed end use. Interviewees attended PCS and presented their topics during a poster session. A great diversity of topics that hit on new research topics. Enjoy

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sheri Strydhorst (Agronomy Research Specialist - Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions) about plant growth regulators (PGRs). Over the past couple of years, the PGRs available for use in Western Canada have changed. Producers now have multiple options to select from. Luckily, research conducted in Canada, as well as internationally, provides a strong indication of which product may be best for barley. For more information, follow this link (link referenced by Dr. Sheri Strydhorst within the podcast): https://bit.ly/33tvdCU

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Dr. Sheri Strydhorst regarding her research on early season fungicides in wheat. This practice, which is common in some areas of Alberta, likely doesn’t provide the value that some producers and agronomist hope it would. Sheri delves deep into her research, past research on the topic and discusses some of the implications of early fungicide application.

Explore the issue of wild oat resistance management in Western Canada in this podcast episode, highlighting the work of the Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee. Hear from Dr. Breanne Tidemann (Co-Chair and Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Nathan Eshpeter (Project Manager), and Kelly Boles (Co-Chair and Business Owner at Center Field Solutions Ltd.) as they discuss the committee's formation, achievements, and impact on the industry. Learn about their future plans, resource development, and community initiatives aimed at improving wild oat resistance management. This episode offers valuable information for agronomists and farmers interested in staying informed on resistance management strategies.

In this episode of The Growing Point Podcast we chat with Laurel Thompson, a crop researcher at Lakeland College in Alberta, about her recent malt barley projects. The first project looks at the economics of producing malt barley varieties for feed end use. The second project investigated the effects of Moddus, a gibberellin inhibitor PGR, on malt barley varieties. These projects provide very practical and beneficial information for producers who produce malt or are malt curious. 

In this episode we chat with Jennifer Otani (AAFC Beaverlodge) regarding wheat midge on the prairies and in the peace region. We chat about the wheat midge life cycle, damage, and mechanisms tools for producers. We also delve into the complex relationship that wheat midge has with Macroglenes penetrans, a beneficial wasp that parasitizes wheat midge, and how farming practices in crops like canola impact its ability to reduce wheat midge populations. The links that Jennifer mentions:

http://insectpestmanagement.blogspot.com/2021/06/talking-about-wheat-midge-and-its.html?m=1

https://prairiepest.ca/

Dr. Breanne Tidemann(AAFC) joins us to talk about weed management in western Canada. We discuss challenges around wild oats, the Harrington Seed Destructor’s potential, weed resistance, and potential future tools in the weed management toolbox.

On this episode we chat with Dr. Richard Cuthbert (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) about Falling Number (FN), a topic that is growing in attention and challenges it is bringing to prairie producers. Cuthbert is a wheat breeder from Swift Current, Saskatoon and brings a wealth of knowledge around the topic of FN. We discuss the differences between sprouting and FN, FN in the breeding process, the Hagberg test, and varietal differences. Enjoy!

Fungicides, in-crop nitrogen, and PGRs can help increase yields. But do they always pay? What varieties respond? What environments are best for stacking agronomic practices. Dr. Sheri Strydhorst (AF) discusses her research on these topics.

We speak with Dr. Kelly Turkington (AAFC Lacombe) about late-season diseases. Specifically, we discuss sooty moulds and other disease with similar features. We discuss disease for producers to watch and what management practices help mitigate their impacts. 

Discussion with research scientist Dr. Haley Catton who focuses on cereal crop Entomology, plant-insect interactions, insect ecology, biological control and integrated pest management at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge research station. Dr. Catton studies the lifecycle and population dynamics of wireworm species in Alberta. In this podcast we discuss current wireworm research, understanding of its lifecycle, scouting, and potential solutions for its impact. Recorded Apr 26.

Recent wet, delayed, and challenging harvests in Alberta increase the value of on-farm drying systems. But how much energy does it take and how efficient are they? Shannon Sereda from Team Alberta discusses an upcoming study to answer these questions.

Dr. Brian Beres (AAFC) joins us the discuss the nuances of seeding for a successful winter wheat crop. We discuss moisture concerns, seeding best management practices, nitrogen management, new varieties, stubble options, and much more.