AgAnnex Talks

Dr. Barbara Cade-Menun, a research scientist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, is a world leader in studying phosphorus cycling in water, soils and plants. She’s developed and refined investigative techniques that have become the preferred standard, and has received numerous important accolades in recognition of her work.

Canadian Poultry editor Brett Ruffell chats with Dr. Cade-Menun in this episode of AgAnnex Talks, the second in our series of podcasts with six Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. IWCA is a program created by the agriculture brand teams at Annex Business Media, designed to honour women making a difference in Canada’s ag industry.

Stay tuned to hear from the rest of the 2020 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, which supplies leading seeds, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and seed treatments backed by expert advice. For more information, visit cropscience.bayer.ca.

Dr. Karen Schwean-Lardner, an associate professor with the University of Saskatchewan's department of animal and poultry science, is one of the most highly regarded poultry scientists worldwide. She leads a research team that investigates the effects of management systems on the welfare and productivity of commercial poultry.

Canadian Poultry editor Brett Ruffell chats with Dr. Schwean-Lardner in this episode of AgAnnex Talks, the first in our series of podcasts with six Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. IWCA is a program created by the agriculture brand teams at Annex Business Media, designed to honour women making a difference in Canada's ag industry.

This episode is sponsored by Aviagen, a global breeding company that develops pedigree lines for the production of commercial broilers. For more information, visit Aviagen.com.

Stay tuned to hear from the rest of the 2020 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

GMOs, pesticides, livestock health and safety: it can feel like farmers and consumers are speaking different languages when hot button issues are discussed. What creates this communication breakdown?

In the 2019 Public Trust Research Report compiled by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, 91 per cent of Canadians said they knew little to nothing about modern Canadian farming practices, but 60 per cent are interested in knowing more about agriculture and how their food is produced. That first number presents the obstacle farmers have to overcome in speaking with consumers; the second shows the potential opportunity.

In this episode, Kelly Daynard, executive director of Farm and Food Care Ontario, discusses how everyone has a role to play in debunking myths and bad information, and that consumers are often asking “should we” rather than “can we.” John Jamieson, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, shares the importance of building public trust in agriculture as a way to improve the conversation. Both emphasize that sharing your story and your passion for agriculture will help make a personal connection with consumers.

Show notes:

• Farm and Food Care;
• The Real Dirt on Farming;
• Farm Food 360;
• Canadian Centre for Food Integrity;
• Agriculture in the Classroom.

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

Do you have a succession plan? Bob Tosh, family enterprise advisor with MNP, says this question isn’t a good place to start when it comes to thinking about the succession planning process. In this episode, Tosh shares advice he has given throughout his years as an advisor and offers perspective to current and next-generation farmers engaging with the succession process. Doug Johnston, a fifth-generation grain and dairy producer, also shares his succession experience and offers some frank advice for fellow producers.

Thanks to MNP for sponsoring this episode.

Visit familyfarmsuccession.ca for more succession resources. You can find Doug Johnston on Twitter at @maplevue. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Labour shortages and misconceptions about farm work are some of the issues faced by Canadian agricultural producers. The Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council reported in 2019 that the agriculture sector’s job-vacancy rate was the “highest of any major sector in the Canadian economy.”

In this episode, Stuart Person, senior vice president of agriculture with MNP, discusses some of the labour challenges faced in the agriculture sector and hiring best practices. Deb Campbell, a crop advisor in Ontario, discusses the gap in perception on what farm work is today, and Anneke Stickney shares her poultry operation’s experience with finding good help. Glen Lucas with the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association provides insight to the impact of temporary foreign workers in the sector

Thanks to MNP for sponsoring this episode.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Catch up on all episodes at AgAnnex.com.

Farming is considered one of the most hazardous occupations in Canada – according to the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, more than 100 adults and children are victims in farm accidents every year in Canada.

In this episode, Rob Gobeil, agricultural health and safety specialist with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, talks stats, hazards, and most importantly, preparedness and prevention with Stefanie Croley, editorial director of agriculture at Annex Business Media.

For more resources, visit:

Canada FarmSafe Plan

Resources for COVID-19 from Canadian Federation of Agriculture

CultivateSafety.org

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

Mental health in agriculture is a hot topic at the moment, and for good reason. Farmers are particularly vulnerable to developing anxiety and depression, and experiencing suicidal thoughts, due to the nature of farming. Isolation, uncertainty, market volatility, high risks – it's tough out there for farmers.

This episode features conversations between Ag Annex associate editor Alex Barnard and Adelle Stewart of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, and Shane Anderson of the Tough Enough to Talk About It program. They discuss what risk factors increase mental health challenges for farmers, the importance of starting a conversation, and what to do if you or a friend or family member is experiencing high levels of stress.

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