The Growing Point Podcast

Episode 39: Battling Kochia with crop selection, seeding rate, and row spacing

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.

Episode 38: Nitrogen release, the birch effect, and managing the unknown

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.

Episode 37: Smart Nitrogen Management: Insights from Dr. Mario Tenuta

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.

Episode 36: The Wheat Midge Forecast: Emerging Management Strategies

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.

Episode 35: Late Season Diseases with Dr. Kelly Turkington

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. 

Episode 34: Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee: Tackling the Resistance Challenge Head-On

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.

 

Episode 33: Navigating Regional Variety Trials: Dr. Sheri Strydhorst’s Expert Insights on Wheat & Barley Selection in Alberta

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.

Episode 32: Breeding for wheat stem sawfly resistance in spring wheat – Dr. Richard Cuthbert (AAFC Swift Current)

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

Episode 31: Resilient rotations on the prairies - Dr. Sheri Strydhorst

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

Episode 30: Updated Kochia resistance survey for Alberta – Dr. Charles Geddes

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/