Confidence in Canada's Food System at an all-time high according to new research from the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI). Canadians are optimistic about their food supply, even as Canada's food system faces exceptional pressure and public scrutiny due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 in 2020. President and CEO of CCFI John Jamieson will share the results of the latest public Trust Research Report, and how the Canadians are feeling about the overall direction of the food system.

Farmers are poised to play a key role in Canada's economic recovery. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business submitted a list of concerns to the country's agriculture ministers, topping the list is needed improvements to Business Risk Management programs. CFIB senior policy analyst Virginia Labbie says the focus should be on policies that will help drive growth in the agriculture and agri-food sector so that it can perform to its potential.

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There is nothing light a fresh cover of snow to brighten up your farmyard.  It also covers those unfinished projects and unsightly piles of garbage or old equipment. When the time comes to sell farmland, all of that junk will have an impact on the value of that property. Wayne Lowry with Farm Credit Canada says with time and a little bit of money, even small improvements can make your land more valuable. Wayne will have some helpful hints to help producers to get ready for the sale in order to get the best dollar.

Americans have elected their new leader. Joe Biden will become the 46th President of the United States.  A change in administration usually impacts the agriculture sector but is the election the main factor affecting grain prices? Exceed Grain Marketing Senior Consultant Wayne Palmer will look back at the Trump administration and the events leading to the change in power, what a Biden administration means for the agriculture in the U.S., Canada and around the world; how supply is the biggest factor affecting commodity prices, advice for farmers still holding grain and when it will be the best time to sell.

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Scientists are continuing to investigate root rot in pulse crops. It was particularly bad in pea and lentil crops in western Canada this year. Extending the crop rotation has been the only way to manage the disease once it is present in a field.

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada Researcher Syama Chatterton has been studying this issue and is now recommending producers sample the soil for the presence of the spores. Dr. Chatterton will explain the latest work on aphanomyces.

It's been a difficult year as we adjust to the realities of COVID-19 with the disruption of social events, the economy and interpersonal relationships. Fighting burnout and compassion fatigue is a real issue. Dr. Jody Carrington is child psychologist from Olds, Alberta.

During a recent virtual presentation, she talked about emotional dysregulation, what causes it and the importance of face to face connection.

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Concerns over COVID-19 could result in a higher uptake of flu vaccinations this season. Each year health officials encourage the public to get vaccinated for the seasonal flu. Dr. Susan Detmer, an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathology with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says if you get influenza your defences will weaken making you more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Dr. Detmer will tell us why the Vet College is particularly interested in flu vaccinations as it applies to humans and animals.

Saskatchewan has just been through a provincial election that saw the governing Saskatchewan Party returned to office with another majority. Agriculture groups actively followed the campaign. They spent a lot of time getting their message out about issues they want the government to address. The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association went so far as to contact the political parties with a list of questions that outlined some of their top concerns.

SCA CEO Ryder Lee will tell us about what needs attention and says what it comes down to is government doing what it can to improve the competitiveness of cattle producers.

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Crop diseases can have a serious impact on a farmer's bottom line, that’s why management is an ongoing concern for producers.  Finding the right tools and technologies to help producers get a handle on diseases can be complicated and expensive. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher Kelly Turkington says it all starts with having a basic knowledge of the nature of plant diseases as the first step towards understanding what needs to be done and when it needs to be done.

A University of British Columbia student design team has created the prototype for a fully autonomous agricultural robot. The creation of the AgroBot started with four students. The team has grown to 40 students with backgrounds in various areas of engineering. AgroBot team member Wendie Wu will explain the project and tell us about how the students took inspiration from other industries and applied them to the robot...all in an effort to make agriculture operations more sustainable.

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Politics have had a significant impact on agriculture research in Alberta. The government in that province changed hands with the New Democrats taking power in 2015 and then new United Conservative Party winning the election in 2019. It has been a stressful time for those involved in research. A new organization called Results Driven Agriculture Research or RDAR has been given the responsibility of guiding Alberta’s ag research priorities to ensure they reflect the needs of farmers, ranchers, and others in the agriculture industry, I'll speak with RDAR board chair Dr. David Chalack about this new entity and its role in promoting beneficial research for the ag sector.

Prairie honey producers take great pride in their pure product but the fake honey showing up on store shelves is hurting their bottom line. Fake honey is being blamed for a dramatic drop in prices dating back to 2015 and it has been pushing the limits of beekeepers in Canada. In fact, prices were so low producers were not making enough money to even cover their costs. Tim Wendell of Wendell Honey Farm has felt the impact. Their operation includes sites in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Wendell will explain where this fake honey is coming from and how consumers can support this important industry.

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The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has put more of a focus on the importance of Canadian farmers, farm workers and food production. Many of those conversations play out on Twitter. Michele Austin with Twitter Canada will tell us about a some of the trending topics, like the pandemic, and mental health, we'll run through the top hashtags, and ag twitter accounts and the role social media plays in sharing agriculture stories with the non-farming public.

There are very different visions of what a farm should look like. As we continue our series Not Your Everyday Farmer, we will feature a very different type of farming operation that decided to take a chance on a little purple fruit. Haskap not only does well in the harsh north east Saskatchewan climate but has also proven to be a one of the healthiest plants in the world. Marg Sullivan with Sweet Prairie Haskap explains how they directed their attention towards the health food market and instead of shipping the berries to the United States, decided to take the big step into value added production.

Marg will talk about the journey which includes shipping their first load of haskap products to the United States.

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Unprecedented. That's how a senior commodity analyst has described the grain trade. Wayne Palmer is with Exceed Grain Marketing and he says a rally at harvest is unheard of and the first time he has witnessed this in his 40 years in the business. He will explain what's been happening, how it has impacted prices and explains what farmers can watch for in order to cash in on possible grain and oilseed price increases.

Huge U.S. agricultural subsidies are impacting Canadian business risk management programs. The Trump administration has announced four multi-billion dollar aid programs for U.S. farmers over the past three years . . . some as compensation for the US/China trade war and others are connected to COVID 19. An independent economic research organization is sounding the alarm in a policy note released last week. Dr. Al Mussell is the research lead for Agri-Food Economic Systems based in Guelph, Ontario. He'll explain how US ag subsidies are distorting the market.

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Just sign on the dotted line. I just need your signature. How many times are you asked to do this over the course of a year? We’ve all done it….you read the terms of agreement on your phone you scroll down and click "accept "without really reading the fine details. This has the potential to be disastrous for a farmer, particularly this year when it comes to the eligibility declaration you sign when selling grain and an elevator.

Tom Steve with the Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley commission has a warning for farmers. Those declarations may look the same but there are some significant differences. He will explain those changes, why it happened, the repercussions of not understanding what you've signed and your legal obligations.

Often people have a certain vision of what a conventional farm looks like. It usually involved a tractor or combine and a field of golden grain. Today on Not Your Everyday Farmer we will feature a very different type of farm operation. John Cote and his wife Barb Stefanyshyn Cote did the unthinkable and sold the family farm and then they embarked on a completely different experience…..making gin and selling flowers.

Barb will talk about the creation of Black Fox Farm and Distillery and how they've never worked harder in their lives.

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Do More Ag Foundation envisions a culture in agriculture where all farmers are encouraged, empowered and supported to take care of their mental well being.
This can only happen through awareness about mental health and breaking the stigma that currently exists while building a community of support and resources for those impacted and affected.

Executive Adelle Stewart says producers need to realize they are not alone, and they have an entire industry behind them. Talk More, Ask More and Listen More.

Adelle will talk about the groups efforts to keep the conversation on mental health going, the mental health first aid certificate program and what their goals are for the coming year.

The chief agricultural economist with Farm Credit Canada is suggesting a moderate increase in the average value of farmland across Canada. FCC's mid year review shows the national average for farmland values increased an average of 3.7 per cent for the first half of 2020 and is in line with the mid year results for the past five years.

J.P. Gervais will talk about the trends for farmland prices and explain why Canadian agriculture has shown great resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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