The Growing Point Podcast

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.

 

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.

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

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

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/

Malting barley quality: quality and on-farm management impacts on the malting process

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!

Malting barley varieties and markets: now and into the future

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

Creating clarity around alkali, alkaline, and saline soils with Wes Anderson

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.

Nitrogen losses and loss mitigation with Dr. Jeff Schoenau

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.

Professor Myles Dick and the Breton Plots Legacy

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.