When its time to spray crops, either for weed or insect control, there is nothing more frustrating then poor weather especially strong winds. At times a farmer will make the decision to spray in those high winds which can lead to spray drift damage on a neighbouring field. That's when forensic agrologist George Lewko is called in. George will talk about diagnosing spray drift damage and the process of resolving the issue between the two parties involved.

The University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre has hired a new director. Curtis Pozniak has been a fixture at the CDC since his arrival as a wheat breeder in 2003. During that time, he and his team have released 15 wheat varieties and played an important role in the global effort to sequence the durum genome. Curtis will talk about his new responsibilities and goals during his five-year term.

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The farming industry is constantly changing. New innovations are being developed to make farms more efficient. A research project involving a Saskatchewan consulting company and the University of Regina is looking for a way to reduce environmental impact and save money. Cory Willness of CropPro Consulting will talk about SWAT BOX, a data collection sensor and how information from it will be used to generate maps that will help farmers selectively apply herbicides

Everyone needs to eat. That's why Canadians and Canada’s governments should not take farming and food for granted. That was the message from Kerri Holland with University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy who prepared a report on Canada's Food Security. Holland says food security is vital and government policy must reflect the essential service agriculture provides for the country. She says there will be dire consequences if farmers don't get the support they need.

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Intergenerational farm transfer is viewed as one of the most complex and difficult decisions that a farmer must make in his lifetime. How do you make it work so every member of the family is happy? Is that an impossible dream OR is it the process and not the end result that's important.

In part two of our series on transitioning the family farm from one generation to the next,  MNP farm and family advisor Bob Tosh will talk about how to get started, setting a realistic timeline for getting it done and why it's important for all family members to have an opportunity to speak.

Keeping agricultural plastics out of our landfills and ditches is the goal of CleanFarms, a nonprofit organization that leads recycling program for everything from pesticide and fertilizer containers as well as grain bags. CleanFarms general manager Barry Friesen says farmers are getting the message and recycling plastics like never before. He'll tell us how the program is being received across Canada and the how the pandemic is affecting their future plans.

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The process of transitioning the farm from one generation to the next is a long and difficult process. What makes it so difficult is each family farm business is unique and no single approach works for everyone. Bob Tosh a farm and family advisor with MNP will discuss the roadblocks, the importance of being heard, the difference between succession planning and estate planning and the first steps in getting the conversation started.

Flea beetles, weevils, cutworms, wheat midge, grasshoppers. The list of pests that can impact a crop during the growing season is endless. We have entomologist Meghan Vankosky with us. In addition to her research for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, she is also the co-chair of the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. She'll talk about how the network is an important tool for producers during the growing season and why there is an increased focus on beneficial insects.

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Agriculture through a modern lens, this is the Agri-Pod. Digging in to the topics that matter to you. With Alice McFarlane.

Farmers get a lot of direction from agronomists, accountants, bankers and lawyers. All have a direct impact on their business. But one area they often neglect is their closest personal relationships. Our guest Sean Brotherson, a professor and extension family science specialist from North Dakota State University says a farmer’s highest priority should be their spouse or partner. We talk about how healthy relationships can improve the farm business.

And, the cattle industry has been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. Low prices and reduced processing capacity have devastated the industry. We have Saskatchewan rancher Adrienne Ivey here to talk about how livestock producers are coping, why two large players in the meat packing industry in Western Canada hold the monopoly on processing and why its so difficult for small meat processing facilities to make a go of it. Adrienne discusses why she chooses to share her personal story on social media, the positives and the disappointments, and how she is committed to working not only with farmers and consumers but with the entire value chain.

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