As we continue our conversation on AI, Data Centres and Agriculture in Western Canada and what AI usage looks like for both the consumer and the farmer, we dig in a little further on resource allocation and consequence. Our guests David Gerhard and Robert Saik look at the realistic fears presented by those most affected and long-term predictions on how data centres will affect rural communities, Western Canada’s economy, and the industry at large.

Is there enough water to allocate between new data centre usage and the expansive agricultural industry? What does addressing realistic fears from industry leaders and the farmers most affected look like and how do we square the circle of a booming industry? What does the future of AI hold for farmers and their land? On this episode we continue to dig in on AI, Data Centres and Agriculture.

Meet Our Guests

David Gerhard: Head of Computer Science University of Manitoba 

Dr. David Gerhard is Professor and Head of Computer Science at the University of Manitoba. With more than two decades of experience in technology, education, and research, he specializes in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and human-computer interaction. Known for making complex technology topics accessible and engaging, David is a sought-after speaker who helps people understand how emerging technologies are shaping the way we live, work, and learn. David brings a grounded perspective on tech advancements to people from all different walks of life. Between TED talks and media coverage on savvy social media consumption, David connects with people in a real and approachable way.

 
Robert Saik: Professional Agrologist and CEO of T1 Technology Corporation

Robert Saik is a distinguished agrologist, entrepreneur, and international consultant with over forty years of experience in the agriculture industry. In 2021, he was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Most Influential Agriculture Leaders and one of Canada’s Top 10 Ag Mentors. He is the founder and CEO of T1 Technology Corporation which is the developer of AGvisorPRO a global mobile connectivity platform for agriculture as well as visorPRO.ai a solution leverage AI in the farm equipment and construction sectors. Robert has worked with prominent figures, including Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Bill Gates, and was one of only three private citizens to address the 2020 FAO-UN High Level Special Event on agriculture sustainability. 

About UFA 

Founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. UFA has been named the 2026 Large Co-operative of the Year by Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC), a national recognition that celebrates co-operatives making a meaningful contribution to communities and co-operatives and mutuals across Canada. Learn more at UFA.com.

About Your Host 

Don Shafer, PhD, is an award winning broadcaster, veteran media executive, and recipient of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds a PhD in Social Justice, bringing a rare blend of industry expertise and academic insight to the evolving media landscape.

Credits

Host: Don Shafer, PhD
Guests: David Gerhard, Robert Saik
Senior Writer: Eric La Febre
Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk
Audio Producer: Scott Whittaker
Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith
Contributor: Trish Nixon 

In the face of increasing global interest in artificial intelligence, data centres that train and run complex artificial intelligence models are beginning to pop up in rural communities. In this Part 1 of a two-part conversation, David Gerhard and Robert Saik dig into the realities of data centre expansion, why Western Canada is such an attractive location for these facilities, and the impact of AI on agriculture in general.
 
What do data centres do exactly and how much power do they need to run? What fears do people have when it comes to new data centres in their communities? How do we have an earnest conversation between those on either side of the argument and address the pros and cons in a balanced way? On this episode, we begin to dig in on AI, Data Centers and Agriculture.

Meet Our Guests

• David Gerhard: Head of Computer Science University of Manitoba 

Dr. David Gerhard is Professor and Head of Computer Science at the University of Manitoba. With more than two decades of experience in technology, education, and research, he specializes in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and human-computer interaction. Known for making complex technology topics accessible and engaging, David is a sought-after speaker who helps people understand how emerging technologies are shaping the way we live, work, and learn. David brings a grounded perspective on tech advancements to people from all different walks of life. Between TED talks and media coverage on savvy social media consumption, David connects with people in a real and approachable way.

• Robert Saik: Professional Agrologist and CEO of T1 Technology Corporation

Robert Saik is a distinguished agrologist, entrepreneur, and international consultant with over forty years of experience in the agriculture industry. In 2021, he was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Most Influential Agriculture Leaders and one of Canada’s Top 10 Ag Mentors. He is the founder and CEO of T1 Technology Corporation which is the developer of AGvisorPRO a global mobile connectivity platform for agriculture as well as visorPRO.ai a solution leverage AI in the farm equipment and construction sectors. Robert has worked with prominent figures, including Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Bill Gates, and was one of only three private citizens to address the 2020 FAO-UN High Level Special Event on agriculture sustainability.

About UFA

Founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. UFA has been named the 2026 Large Co-operative of the Year by Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC), a national recognition that celebrates co-operatives making a meaningful contribution to communities and co-operatives and mutuals across Canada. Learn more at UFA.com.

About Your Host

Don Shafer, PhD, is an award winning broadcaster, veteran media executive, and recipient of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds a PhD in Social Justice, bringing a rare blend of industry expertise and academic insight to the evolving media landscape.

Credits

Host: Don Shafer, PhD
Guests: David Gerhard, Robert Saik
Senior Writer: Eric La Febre
Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk
Audio Producer: Scott Whittaker
Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith
Contributor: Trish Nixon 

#podcast #farming #datadentres

Soil means everything. Without healthy soil, you have no crop and without a crop you have no product. Though we understand the importance of crop yield and agricultural output, are we paying enough attention to the soil? As larger format operations boom alongside local family farms, we want to dig in and see just what can be done about giving back to the land. What is the importance of a cover crop and why is it useful to farmers during on and off season? What is the importance of SAP testing, used to measure the nutrient density and health of plant tissue? How does the presence of Actinomycetes infer a fertile soil? In this episode, we’re digging deep to get to the root of Soil Health in Agriculture.

Meet Our Guests

Tannis Axten, Co-Owner of Axten Family Farms

Axten Family Farms was the first Canadian farm to earn Regenified certification. Tannis and her family have transformed their operation through low disturbance farming, intercropping, cover crops, pollinator habitat and livestock integration. Their commitment to rebuilding soil health has led to dramatic improvements in soil structure, aggregation, infiltration and biological life—including earthworm populations and living roots year-round. Beyond agronomy, the Axtens have also built a food-grade seed cleaning plant, flour mill and packaging line to add value to their grains. Tannis is known for her curiosity, honesty about the ups and downs of regenerative farming and her relentless drive to “give back to the soil” every season.

Blain Hjertaas, Rancher and Holistic Management Educator  

After spending his first 25 years farming the conventional “high-tech” way, Blain transitioned to a grass-based, Holistic Management system that emphasizes adaptive multi-paddock grazing, plant diversity, and rebuilding soil function. Today, he supports producers across the prairies by measuring soil carbon and water holding improvements on working farms and by coaching families through practical, profitability focused transitions. His work has included the General Mills Oat Pilot Project, one of the largest agro-ecological efforts to assess carbon sequestration and ecological function in North American grain systems. A frequent keynote and field-day speaker, Blain also serves as a Holistic Management educator and has instructed at the University of Manitoba. In recognition of the on-farm outcomes achieved with his family at Redvers, Saskatchewan, Blain and his wife Naomi received the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) in 2018.

About UFA 

Founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Learn more at UFA.com.

About Your Host
Don Shafer, PhD, is an award winning broadcaster, veteran media executive, and recipient of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds a PhD in Social Justice, bringing a rare blend of industry expertise and academic insight to the evolving media landscape.

Credits
Host: Don Shafer, PhD
Guests: Tannis Axten, Blain Hjertaas
Senior Writer: Eric La Febre
Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk
Audio Producer: Scott Whittaker
Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith
Contributor: Trish Nixon 

Farmers and ranchers are facing an unprecedented surge in the Richardson Ground Squirrel population with devastating effects to crops, pasture and farmland. The temporary lift of the nationwide ban on Strychnine in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan has aided in crisis mitigation, but when the ban goes into effect again in 2027, what will farmers and ranchers do to maintain stability knowing full well the problem will return? Should the PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) be able to ban the use of effective tools especially when there are few alternatives? What will happen in 2027 and will it affect food security for consumers or agricultural stability for farmers? How do we trust our farmers and ranchers with pest control autonomy while also ensuring proper use of dangerous chemicals? In this episode, we’re digging into emergency Strychnine use.

Meet Our Guests

Wade Nelson, Owner and Operator of Highwood Valley Ranch 
Along with his wife and parents, Wade owns and operates Highwood Valley Ranch––a fourth generation family operation south of Calgary and west of High River, Alberta. The ranch offers a mix of Angus cattle that are started and finished on grass and free choice oats. With 1500 acres of grain and 700 acres of grass, Highwood Valley Ranch is a mixed farm operation.

Jason Schneider, Rancher, Reeve of Vulcan County and Vice President of RMA Board

Jason owns and operates a fourth-generation grain farm in Vulcan County with his wife and two kids. He has sat on Vulcan County Council since 2013, serving as Reeve since 2016. Jason joined the RMA Board (Rural Municipalities of Alberta) in 2020 as the Director for District 1 and was elected Vice‑President in 2025 which includes all 69 rural and specialized municipalities in the province. Within the RMA, Jason serves on several internal committees, including federal advocacy, policy review, and the RMA Resolutions Committee, where he serves as Chair.

About UFA

UFA Co-operative was founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. UFA is proud to give back to rural communities, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Learn more at UFA.com.

About Your Host
 
Don Shafer, PhD, is an award winning broadcaster, veteran media executive, and recipient of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds a PhD in Social Justice, bringing a rare blend of industry expertise and academic insight to the evolving media landscape.

Credits
Host: Don Shafer, PhD
Guests: Wade Nelson, Jason Schneider 
Senior Writer: Eric La Febre
Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk
Audio Producer: Scott Whittaker
Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith
Contributor: Trish Nixon 

Please note: This episode was recorded in March 2026. The perspectives and forecasts shared reflect the conditions and information available at the time of recording. Given the rapidly evolving global, political, and market environment, circumstances have changed since this episode was recorded.

Fuel is what drives us. It's what keeps our machinery running and our product moving. However, in times of tumultuous international disputes, farmers and ranchers are paying unprecedentedly higher prices because of decisions outside their control. How can ranchers and farmers attempt to navigate shifting fuel prices tied to global and geopolitical events? How can the industry protect itself through times of instability and unpredictability? In this episode, we’re digging in on Fuel Forecast: What’s Driving Prices and What’s Next?

Meet Our Guests

• Roger McKnight, Chief Petroleum Analyst for En-Pro International 

Roger McKnight is the Chief Petroleum Analyst at En-Pro International, an Ontario based consultancy firm. With more than four decades of experience forecasting gasoline and diesel pricing in Canada and over two decades working with major oil companies with a focus in dealing with Imperial Oil, Roger understands the ebbs and flows of fuel pricing and its importance to the industry. His expertise includes refining economics, rack and retail pricing mechanics, carbon and environmental policy impacts and regional distribution constraints. Roger provides daily price outlooks for Canadian news outlets and is recognized for his practical, data backed forecasts that matter to commercial and agricultural fuel users.

• Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy 

Patrick De Haan is the Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy. For the better part of two decades, Patrick has been a widely respected energy market analyst who monitors real time gasoline and diesel pricing trends across North America. His research focuses on refinery utilization patterns, inventory shifts, global crude dynamics and consumer demand behavior. Patrick appears regularly in national media and is known for translating complex market movements into clear insights for industry and consumers.

About UFA 

UFA Co-operative was founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. UFA is proud to give back to rural communities, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Learn more at UFA.com.

About Your Host 

Don Shafer, PhD, is an award winning broadcaster, veteran media executive, and recipient of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds a PhD in Social Justice, bringing a rare blend of industry expertise and academic insight to the evolving media landscape.

Credits

Host: Dr. Don Shafer, PhD

Guests: Roger McKnight, Patrick De Haan

Senior Writer: Eric La Febre

Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk

Audio Producer: Scott Whittaker

Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith

Contributor: Trish Nixon 

#podcast #farming #fuel

What does the future hold for beef production in Canada? In part two of this two-part episode of Digging In with UFA, we continue digging into beef production, cattle ranching and the myths and realities around the steak on your plate. Comedian, media personality and rancher, Dickson ‘Quick Dick McDick’ Delorme joins cattle rancher, agriculture advocate and blogger, Adrienne Ivey, for a conversation about what it means to be a beef producer today. What does government oversight look like when it comes to stability within the cattle industry? What happens to consumers and producers during unprecedented economic shifts? Grab your forks and join us as we dig in with another episode of Digging In with UFA. 

Our Guests

Dickson Delorme - Quick Dick McDick

Dickson Delorme created the Quick Dick McDick character through Snapchat as a way to capture the everyday humour of life on the farm. Now with a successful YouTube Channel and a stand-up comedy career under his belt buckle, Quick Dick has become a humorous voice for agriculture’s finest, with an engaging personality that resonates with anyone experiencing the wins and woes of cattle ranching.

Adrienne Ivey - Evergreen Cattle Co. / View From The Ranch Porch

Adrienne Ivey loves raising the beef on your plate, and talking about it! She is a rancher, agriculture advocate and blogger from Ituna, Saskatchewan. Alongside her family, she owns and runs Evergreen Cattle Co. and educates the public about the realities of ranching on social media and her blog, View From The Ranch Porch. 

About UFA 

UFA Co-operative was founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. UFA is proud to give back to rural communities, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Learn more at UFA.com.

Credits

Host: Dr. Don Shafer, PhD

Guests: Dickson Delorme, Adrienne Ivey

Senior Writer: Eric La Febre

Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk

Audio Engineer: Scott Whittaker

Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith

Contributor: Trish Nixon

#podcast

Season 2 Episode 2 - Is beef production bad for the environment? Should you feel bad about enjoying a nice, juicy steak? In this episode of Digging In with UFA, we unearth some of the myths and realities of beef production, cattle ranching and public perceptions of one of the world’s most cherished foods. Comedian, media personality and rancher, Dickson ‘Quick Dick McDick’ Delorme joins cattle rancher, agriculture advocate and blogger, Adrienne Ivey, for a conversation about the realities of beef production in the modern age. What should consumers know about beef that isn’t often discussed? How do ranchers maintain momentum during tumultuous economic times? Grab your forks and get ready to dig into another episode of Digging In with UFA. 

Our Guests

Dickson Delorme - Quick Dick McDick

Dickson Delorme created the Quick Dick McDick character through Snapchat as a way to capture the everyday humour of life on the farm. Now with a successful YouTube Channel and a stand-up comedy career under his belt buckle, Quick Dick has become a humorous voice for agriculture’s finest, with an engaging personality that resonates with anyone experiencing the wins and woes of cattle ranching.

Adrienne Ivey - Evergreen Cattle Co. / View From The Ranch Porch

Adrienne Ivey loves raising the beef on your plate, and talking about it! She is a rancher, agriculture advocate and blogger from Ituna, Saskatchewan. Alongside her family, she owns and runs Evergreen Cattle Co. and educates the public about the realities of ranching on social media and her blog, View From The Ranch Porch. 

About UFA 

UFA Co-operative was founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. UFA is proud to give back to rural communities, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Learn more at UFA.com.

Credits

Host: Don Shafer, PhD

Guests: Dickson Delorme, Adrienne Ivey

Senior Writer: Eric La Febre

Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk

Audio Engineer: Scott Whittaker

Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith

Contributor: Trish Nixon

#podcast #farming

Season 2 Episode 1

Did you know women could own cattle before they could vote? In this episode of Digging In with UFA, we learn about the realities, misconceptions and histories of women in agriculture. Joined by beef producer and educator, Josie Pashulka, and rancher and author, Rachel Herbert, we take a look at the reality of women’s roles in Canadian agriculture from generations past to present day. What unique perspectives do they bring to the industry? What does innovation and leadership look like for women in Ag? What role does gender play in the history of legacy ranches and homesteads? Grab your shovels and join us as we dig into another fascinating topic on Digging In with UFA. 

Our Guests

Josie Pashulka - Rusylvia Cattle Co. 

Josie Pashulka and her husband Ken co-founded the Rusylvia Cattle Co. 31 years ago. With the help of their three sons, they operate the 400-cow operation in Derwent, Alberta. Josie advocates for producers and helps strengthen the industry as an Alberta Beef Producers Delegate. She also leads the industry as an educator and a preeminent voice in artificial insemination at Lakeland College, where she helps train the next generation of livestock professionals. She has been recognized for her work with a 2025 Women in Ag Award by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) highlighting her impact, resilience and dedication to agriculture. 

Rachel Herbert - Trail’s End Beef

Rachel Herbert co-owns and operates Trail’s End Beef near Nanton, Alberta, where she and her husband Tyler raise grass-fed, grass-finished, red and black Angus cattle using regenerative practices. As advocates for sustainability, their ranching model emphasizes rotational grazing, watershed protection and ecological stewardship of native grasslands in Porcupine Hills. Holding an MA from the University of Calgary, Rachel is the author of Ranching Women in Southern Alberta, a groundbreaking book that challenges myths and highlights the vital roles women have played in ranching history. As a fourth-generation rancher raising the fifth, Rachel draws on her family’s deep roots in Alberta ranching, including stories of her great-grandmother’s resilience during the Great Depression.

About UFA 

UFA Co-operative was founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. UFA is proud to give back to rural communities, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Learn more at UFA.com.

Credits

Host: Dr. Don Shafer, PhD

Guests: Josie Pashulka, Rachel Herbert

Senior Writer: Eric La Febre

Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk

Audio Producer: Scott Whittaker

Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith

Contributor: Trish Nixon

Welcome to Diggin In With UFA: Season 2

It takes a certain kind of ambition to do what farmers do. Between the hours and the hard labor, to the public scrutiny and bureaucratic maze running, it's not an easy task. While the agriculture industry feeds millions quietly tilling and producing behind the scenes, many forget that our food comes from the hands of real people with real stories.

Join us as we share stories from those with boots on the ground and unearth unique perspectives on
agriculture's biggest conversations. It's time to grab your shovel and get to work.

#podcast #farming

Digging in with UFA - Weather and Agriculture 

Farmers rely on some level of predictability. Season over season, being able to forecast a certain amount of rainfall is a more difficult task. Is this something new or, like the farmers and ranchers of generations past, is Mother Nature just keeping us on our toes? This week we are digging in on Weather and Agriculture. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with the CEO of the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, both nationally and provincially, Janice Tranberg and Rancher, Comedian and Youtube Personality known commonly as Quick Dick McDick, Dickson Delorme, while we dig to the root of Canadian Agriculture's most pressing topics. Guided by our host Don Shafer in partnership with  UFA Co-operative, we’re ready to dig in. Are you? 

#podcast #farming