The Saskatchewan Seed Growers’ Association has warned farmers that seed supply will be tight in 2022. Drought had an impact on seed production. But grain contracts that need to be filled might tempt seed growers to take grain to the elevator instead of keeping it as seed.

Todd Hyra with SeCan talks about how seed production was impacted this year and gives some advice for producers who are still trying to secure seed for the spring.

Ergot is a fungus that can be found in wheat, barley, and rye during wet and damp growing seasons. The ergot body or sclerotia replaces the kernel and turns it a black or dark purple color. These sclerotia contain poisonous chemical compounds, which can cause conditions such as lameness and gangrene in cows. In humans, ergot poisoning is linked to convulsions and hallucinations.

University of Saskatchewan PhD student Jensen Cherewyk is studying how ammonia and UV light can be used to reduce the harmful effect of ergot in cereal crops. Jensen will talk about her research.

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A report released by Agri-Food Economic Systems suggests the declining number of mid-sized farms in Canada jeopardises the rural institutions that have traditionally supported farms and farm families.The report explores the potential consequences of the decline in the number of small and, especially, medium-sized farms. Research Lead Dr. Al Mussell will share the results of the report how it impacts rural communities and consumers.

The RCMP is advising producers to take precautions against theft from their farms. There is often a focus on larger items or equipment, but those small portable items are expensive and easy to steal. Staff Sergeant Devin Pugh will share some tips for protecting those important items, large or small, and why its important to report all thefts immediately.

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Farmers are seeing the benefits in cover crops. That's according to a University of Manitoba survey reflecting the growing use of cover crops on the Prairies.

Callum Morrison, a graduate student at the U of M, created the survey alongside Professor Yvonne Lawley. Morrison says this practice is in the early stage of adoption on the Prairies, there’s not that much information available as to how farmers are integrating cover crops into their operations.

He’ll share the details of the survey and what the roughly 200 farmers shared about their experiences in 2020. There have been many stories about farmers who have experienced problems filling their grain contracts and the repercussions.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan heard from about 200 farmers discussing grain production and struggles filling contracts.

APAS President Todd Lewis said one of the greatest challenges is there does not appear to be a standard way of dealing with theses contractual arrangements.

Lewis will discuss the survey and what they hope to learn.

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Farm Credit Canada says, all things considered, 2020 was a pretty good year for Canadian agriculture and food exporters.

Chief Economist J.P. Gervais will tell us how Canada’s agriculture and food industry has shown resilience during the pandemic and has the potential to emerge from this even stronger. Canada had the highest year-over-year increase for agriculture commodity exports at 13.8 per cent.

Even with challenges on the road ahead, Gervais says the sector is looking very strong.

The canola crop is now in the bin; the Canola Council of Canada is taking the opportunity to remind producers about growing clubroot-resistant canola and the steps needed to keep disease spores from spreading.

Canola Council of Canada agronomy specialist Autumn Barnes will talk about the newly created infographics for farmers to help them tackle clubroot and strategies for planning for next year's crop.

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A new research report was released discussing the needs of Indigenous agricultural producers. Farm Management Canada executive director Heather Watson said Indigenous business owners from across the country talked about what would be helpful to them. 

In the last episode of Agripod, Heather discussed the five recommendations that came from the survey. She will discuss how these recommendations can be implemented to grow the number of Indigenous people participating in agriculture.

The wild boar population continues to grow and is causing concern because of the damage they cause to private property and native plants due to their feeding habits and reproductive capability.

Feral pigs can carry parasites, viruses or diseases that can be transmitted to domestic livestock, wildlife, and even humans. They are known to carry African Swine Fever, a serious disease which if introduced to domestic swine herds causes would cause financial and economic losses for Canadian hog producers.

Mark Ferguson with the Saskatchewan Pork Development Commission will talk about the efforts to control wild pigs and how the public can help.

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Farm Management Canada has released a research report investigating the business management needs of Indigenous agricultural producers. "The Path Forward” was made possible through the participation of Indigenous agricultural business owners from across the who participated in surveys, focus groups, and interviews.

FMC executive director Heather Watson said they were able to create a picture of the current state of their farm businesses and what they need. Heather will share what they learned and how the information will be used to benefit Indigenous agriculture.

Architectural planning has started on an insect research facility at the University of Saskatchewan. Just over one million dollars is being spent on the project located on the sixth floor of the Agriculture Building on campus.The facility will work with both plant pest and beneficial insects . . . . some of which are not native to Western Canada.

USask's first entomologist Sean Prager will talk about the work involved in getting this new facility operational.

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Farmers across Western Canada have received or are awaiting the results of their soil tests in order to make important decisions about fertilizer applications for the year ahead. Canola Council of Canada agronomy specialist Warren Ward says without soil testing, producers are guessing how much nutrients are in the soil and how much fertilizer is needed to hit target yields. He explains how soil sampling is the starting point of a good nutrient management plan.

The driving force of the agriculture industry is the resilient, hardworking, and dedicated individuals along the value chain who produce high-quality, safe food that feeds the world. As we become more urbanized it is increasingly important for farmers to connect with consumers and teach the public about modern agriculture.

Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan Executive Director Clinton Monchuk will talk about how agriculture month offers an opportunity to engage and build trust. Clinton is also a farmer, and he will share with us what this growing season has been like on his family farm near Lanigan, Sask.

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A new report is warning of the potential loss in farm incomes in the billions of dollars if proposed fertilizer reductions come to pass. Meyers Norris Penny compiled the report which stated cutting fertilizer use to reduce on-farm emissions could cost growers nearly $48 billion over the next eight years.

Karen Proud with Fertilizer Canada said under Canada’s A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, the Government of Canada is envisioning a 30 per cent absolute emissions reduction target for on-farm fertilizer use by the year 2030. Proud will explain how MNP used the European Union (EU) proposal of a 20 per cent reduction of fertilizer and what the implications would be if Canada adopted the EU model.

There has been a significant reduction in oat production because of the hot, dry conditions on the prairies. As a result, we are seeing record prices for oats. It's good news for the farmers who might have oats to sell, but what are the other implications as buyers look to other countries for product?

Scott Sheils with Grain Millers will discuss current prices and where they're likely to head into 2022

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Crop yields have been seriously impacted by this year's hot weather and lack of rainfall. As a result, many farmers will not be able to meet their contractual obligations to grain companies simply because they don't have the product to sell.

Saskatchewan's NDP opposition sent a letter to the government asking them to take immediate action to protect producers who are unable to fulfill the terms of their forward contracts and are now facing severe penalties. NDP agriculture opposition critic Trent Wotherspoon will outline what they want the government to do to help farmers.

A new diagnostic extension service is now being offered to farmers and veterinarians to help translate diagnostic results into treatment. Prairie Diagnostic Services (PDS) works collaboratively with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. PDS is a full-service animal health lab that provides diagnostic services for all animal species and primarily serves clinical veterinarians but also animal owners and researchers.

Dr. Yanyun Huang, an Anatomic Pathologist and CEO with PDS says its new service provides analysis of the results and provides guidance for formulating treatment

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Ross McKenzie is a retired soil and crop research scientist with Alberta Agriculture. Ross shared a Tweet where he explained soil sampling to check for nutrient carryover would be important this year in order to prepare for the 2022 crop. On the last episode Ross shared why it’s important to sample at the right time. He's back to give some guidelines for sampling and gives a list of labs that can provide analysis.

The drought has meant many ranchers will not have enough feed and water to get them through the winter. Several provinces have set out a plan to provide assistance to producers to help cover the costs of those necessities. Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association chair Arnold Balicki says the payment will help.  What else has helped as been some rain that has made some improvements to pastures.

Arnold says those two little things have helped to improve the mood of cattle producers.

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