Agripod

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Episodes

300

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-CA

About the show

Agriculture through a modern lens. Digging into the topics that matter to you. With Alice Mcfarlane.

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60 recent

June 12, 202616 min

Trade strategy for agriculture AND Meeting consumer demand for protein and fibre

Manitoba Pork is calling for the creation of strategic plan for dealing with trade.General manager Cam Dahl says in the wake of the recent U.S. election, the federal government needs to develop a national strategy for agriculture and food trade particularly as Canada heads into the 2026 review of the Canada U.S. Mexico Agreement.ANDProtein Industries Canada is looking for companies that can blend pulses AND cereals to create new food products and ingredients.PIC Senior Director of Programs Lisa Campbell says the purpose of calling for Expression of Interests (EOI) is to meet the consumer demand for more innovative ways to incorporate protein and fibre into their diets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 5, 202622 min

Risk from closing research facilities AND H5N1 Influenze research

The planned closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre places Canadian research programing at risk.In January, as part of a broader federal mandate to reduce the size of the public service, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced the imminent closure of several research facilities.Dr. Stuart Smyth, a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan says limiting federal government swine research capability to a single location puts swine research at risk and jeopardizes the global competitiveness of Canadian pork.ANDA panel of producers, veterinarians and researchers is now reviewing 42 submissions received in response to a January call for research proposals to enhance the response to H5N1 Influenza. SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says H5N1 is an Influenza A virus normally associated with avian species but, since 2024, that virus has been found in dairy cattle, sheep and goats and in October 2024 the infection was identified in backyard swine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 29, 202621 min

Trade tensions, grain Concerns AND BASF breaks ground

The conflict that has affected the movement of goods through the Straight of Hormuz has resulted in reduced fertilizer availability leading to reduced grain production and shortages of food. As the result of trade friction and global conflict Canadian farmers are facing increased uncertainty.Florian Possberg says the pork sector has enjoyed relatively low feed costs but there is some real concern over grain prices.AND The announcement was made a few months ago . . . but the official groundbreaking ceremony was held at the BASF Agricultural Solutions Canola Breeding Centre of Innovation expansion.That centre is located a few kilometres northeast of Saskatoon—-just off Highway 41. Brent Collins, the Head of Seeds and Traits for BASF Agricultural Solutions, the $27-million dollars expansion will solidify Saskatoon's reputation as a global centre for canola breeding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 22, 202620 min

High fiber wheat AND High temperatures' impact on crops [REPOST]

Corteva Agriscience announced its new brand, Trusource™ wheat, a high fiber durum that can help meet consumers’ needs for increased dietary fiber through use in high-volume foods such as pasta.Trusource wheat will be available to food companies to trial in product development and evaluation in late 2024, with North American commercialization plans for farmers to be announced in the coming years.Tyler Groeneveld is the North American Director for value added ingredients at Corteva Agriscience.He says it’s important because fiber is the most under-consumed macronutrient and there is a direct correlation between low fiber and chronic inflammation, leading to many human health issues.ANDHot summers may be great for your time at the lake, but very hot temperatures can cause stress in crops, especially flowering canola.Curtis Rempel, vice president of crop production and innovation with the Canola Council of Canada says when the temperatures are in the 30's, it's especially hard on flowering canola plants.The crop at flowering is when the pollen is produced, the canola gets pollinated, and seeds start forming. When you have high heat levels, when the crop is starting to flower, you get pollen dying because of the heat. Then the flower does not get pollinated, and it gets blastedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 15, 202623 min

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers strategic plan AND Saskatchewan Assoc of Rural Municipalities [REPOST}

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) launches a new strategic plan with a new focus on priorities with the greatest impact on pulse growers in Saskatchewan, looking ahead to 2030.  SPG Executive Director Carl Potts explains the plan is built on direction from its ninemember Board of Directors-made up of farmers. The new plan highlights four key focus areas. AND The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities is urging rural residents to run for municipal councils and truly make a difference in their communities and make a difference. SARM President Ray Orb says many RMs have vacancies on councils, and this presents an opportunity for individuals to get involved with the issues that directly affect daily life for the people in rural Saskatchewan. SARM has created a new video to discuss some common misconceptions around rural representation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 8, 202613 min

New canola processing plant AND Saskatchewan Open Farm Days

Cargill announced its newest canola processing facility west of Regina is in operation. Jeff Vassart the President of Cargill Canada says in the months leading up to this week, they were already taking in canola as part of the commissioning process.ANDIf you want to learn more about the behind-the-scenes operation of a farm, then Saskatchewan Open Farm Days might just be for you.Coordinator Ashley Stone says the event is set for this summer and last year saw over 4,000 visits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 1, 202615 min

High price of fertilizer AND Pulse processing in India

Given the high prices of fertilizer, what would influence farmers to change their seeding plans? That's a question Farm Credit Canada explored with an analysis on swing acres and which crops could see the most change between now and when seeding begins.FCC senior economist Lee Anderson talks about fertilizer prices, its effect on some of those decisions, and how that has all happened since the conflict in Iran started in late February.ANDCanada is looking to increase pulse sales to India by working in areas of mutual need. Nutritional security is very important to India, and part of its plan is to build food processing capacity in the world's most populous country.More pulse processing in India will in theory lead to increased pulse crop purchases from Canada.We'll hear from Greg Cherewyk is the CEO of Pulse Canada.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 24, 202621 min

AI at the abattoir AND Showing cattle at the SK Beef Expo [REPOST]

Computer based artificial intelligence is offering new insights into animal welfare. A new tool being developed by the University of Saskatchewan is using A.I.at the abattoir.The University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have developed an automated swine welfare assessment system consisting of a digital security camera linked to an A.I. processor. Dr. Seokbum Ko explains how cameras record animal movement along the processing line and condensed AI models extract and assess images indicative of animal welfare.ANDThe 10th Annual Saskatchewan Beef Expo was recently held in Saskatoon.Kirk Stierwalt, a long-time cattle operator and clinician from Leedey, Oklahoma has been conducting show cattle clinics for 37 years. He worked with the 4-H members at Beef Expo providing guidance on clipping, grooming and showmanship. He'll talk about some of the tip and tricks he shared with the young 4-Hers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 10, 202617 min

Historically high diesel prices AND Mental health education in rural communities

The Vice-President of the Canadian Fuels Association says diesel prices are currently at historical levels in Canada. Carol Montreuil has observed a lot of places across the country have diesel prices above $2.00 a litre with some in the range of $2.25 to $2.50 a litre. He says that's not the case yet in Saskatchewan but the trend, given the conflict in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, is not good.ANDRural communities and non-profit organizations across Canada interested in providing mental health education locally can now apply for the 2026 Community Fund for Mental Health.Executive Director of Do More Ag Merle Massie says the Fund, going into its 8th year, is managed by a partnership between the Do More Agriculture Foundation and Farm Credit Canada. She explains the program and how to submit an application.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 3, 202618 min

Herbicide resistant weeds AND Environmentally sustainable practices for pork famers [REPOST]

Canada ranks number three in the world for herbicide resistant weeds, only behind the United States and Australia. The last extensive survey in Saskatchewan occurred in 2019-2020 and estimated producer losses due to herbicide resistant weeds at $340 million per year. It found that green foxtail, volunteer canola, wild oat, wild buckwheat and kochia were the biggest concerns. The top instance of herbicide resistance in Saskatchewan five years ago was Group 1 resistance in wild oats. Herbicide Resistance wild oat was found in 77 per cent of 250 fields where wild oat was collected and tested. Charles Geddes is a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and will be leading the herbicide resistant weed survey.ANDThe federal carbon tax been completely ineffective in reducing fossil fuel use, it has also made it harder for farmers to afford the adoption of new innovations. That from Manitoba Pork General Manager Cam Dahl. He says farmers face many challenges as they work to adopt environmentally sustainable green practices while operating in the red.Dahl is calling on government to replace its policy of taxing farmers to stimulate decreased fossil fuel use with one where incentives are offered to stimulate the adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies and practices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.