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

With technology rapidly transforming nearly every sector of production and business worldwide, how is agriculture adapting and integrating these advancements into daily operations? And for those newly entering the sector who have grown up in this technological era, what role will they play in shaping the future of tech in agriculture? This week we are digging in on technology in agriculture. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from President of Red Deer Polytechnic Stuart Cullum and Alberta Farmer and Agricultural Social Media Advocate Charlotte Wasylik while we dig to the root of Canadian Agriculture's most pressing conversations. Guided by our host Don Shafer in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we’re ready to dig in. Are you?

https://rdpolytech.ca/about-us/faculty/stuart-cullum https://ca.linkedin.com/in/cullumstuart

@stuartfcullum @RedDeerPolytech @chatsworthfarm @prariebirder

https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/farm/chatsworth-farm

https://www.facebook.com/chatsworthfarm/ https://www.youtube.com/@chatsworthfarm579Instagram.com/chatsworth

farm #ruraltechnology #agtech

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/science

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/science/scientific-research-and-collaboration-agriculture/agricult

ure-and-agri-food-canadas-strategic-plan-science

Digging in with UFA - Family Farm Dynamics and Succession Planning 

Planning for the future is tricky. From unexpected life events and the sudden loss of loved ones to maintaining the legacy of a family business, preparing for succession and adapting to life's hurdles is no easy task. This week we are digging into family farm dynamics and succession planning in agriculture. Join us for insightful discussions with Maggie Van Camp, Founder and Director for Strategic Change at Loft32 and CEO of Recrest Farms, and Trevor McClean, National Leader for Transition Smart Services. Together, we'll explore the most pressing issues in Canadian agriculture. Guided by our host Don Shafer, in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we're ready to dig in. Are you?

#podcast #farming

Digging in with UFA - Rural Mental Health

On the farm, preparing and protecting yourself from the hazards and dangers associated with the labour of production can be a taxing endeavor.  So much so that we tend to forget about the mental stressors that can creep in. When it comes to mental health, what do advocacy and outreach look like? How deep does the stigma associated with mental health struggles run within agricultural communities? What do we do to change things? This week we are digging in on rural mental health. Join us for an honest and real conversation with Leslie Kelly, Social Media Mental Health Advocate, Do More Ag Founder, and Saskatchewan Farmer, along with Shaun Haney, Host of Realag Radio on SiriusXM and Founder of realagriculture.com. Together, we'll explore mental health in Canadian agriculture. Guided by our host Don Shafer, in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we're ready to dig in. Are you? 

#DoMoreAg #highheelsandcanolafields #RealAg #ShaunHaney #LesleyKelly #LetsTalk #MentalHealthMatters @realagriculture

https:/ /www.linkedin.com/company/realagriculture @realagmedia [email protected]

#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #podcast

Digging in with UFA - Tariffs and Agriculture

It’s no surprise that many people feel anxious about the future of trade, especially with the recent implementation of new tariffs. As we examine their real-world impact, a key question emerges: how can agriculture—both large-scale and small-scale—protect itself from the rising costs and prepare for future, unpredictable shifts in global trade? This week, we’re digging into the topic of tariffs and their effects on agriculture. Join us for an insightful conversation featuring Scott Crockatt, Vice President of Communications and External Relations at the Business Council of Alberta (BCA), and Margaret Rigetti, farmer and Board Director at Sask OilSeeds. Guided by host Don Shafer and presented in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we’ll explore the root of some of Canadian agriculture’s most pressing issues. We’re ready to dig in—are you?

Further Discussion and Mentioned Information

Agriculture and agri-food trade between Canada and the United States - agriculture.canada.ca

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/international-trade-finance-policy/canadas-

response-us-tariffs/complete-list-us-products-subject-to-counter-tariffs.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/03/li

Digging in with UFA - GMO’s  

In the realm of consumer produce and agricultural products, many discussions have been brought to the table about altering the chemical nature of foods. But what exactly is a GMO, and why is there so much concern about its consumption? This week, we delve into genetically modified organisms in agriculture. Join us for insightful discussions with Stuart Smythe, Agri-Food and Innovation Sustainability Enhancement Chair and Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan, and Sylvain Charlebois, Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Together, we'll dive deep into this highly debated topic, uncovering truths and dispelling myths. Guided by our host Don Shafer, in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we're ready to dig in. Are you?

Acronyms Present in Episode: 

GM: Genetically Modified 

BT: Bacillus Thuringiensis; A group of soil microbes used to control specific types of insect pests

CFIA: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

PMRA: Pest Management Regulatory Agency

FAO: Food and Agricultural Association.

#podcast #farms

Digging in with UFA - Carbon Tax 2

With many of these topics, it is difficult to navigate or pin down the crux of the conversation in a single podcast episode. For something as impactful and imperative as the carbon tax, we must dig deeper. This week we are digging back in on the carbon tax. Join as we dig to the root of the Carbon Tax with our expert guests: Agricultural Economist, former CO-Op Chair in Agricultural Business at the UofA and Distinguished Fellow at the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, Dr. Ellen Goddard, as well as President of S&T Squared Consultants and Former Vice President of Production at Mohawk Oil, Don O’Connor. Guided by our host Don Shafer in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we’re ready to dig in. Are you? 

Digging in with UFA - Water and Agriculture

Water. Without it, we cannot survive. Within agriculture, it is a marvel how we irrigate, process, collect and distribute, this, the most paramount component of the world's ecosystem. This week we are digging in on water and agriculture. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from Owner and Operator of Chinook Ranch Limited, Stephen Hughes and General Manager of the Bow River Irrigation District, Richard Phillips while we dig to the root of Canadian Agriculture's most pressing conversations. Guided by our host Don Shafer in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we’re ready to dig in. Are you? 

#certifiedbeef 
#chinookranches 
#BRID 
#mcdonaldsflagshipfarmer #watermanagementalberta #irrigationalberta #albertabeef

#canadianbeefproducers #CDNbeef

https://www.alberta.ca/water-availability-engagement

https://www.alberta.ca/water-legislation-and-guidelines

https://www.alberta.ca/water-codes-of-practice

https://www.brid.ca/

https://www.crsbcertified.ca/consumers/meet-the-players/chinook-ranch/

https://crsb.ca/

Digging in with UFA - Animal Health and Welfare   

From the outside looking in, there are often some big misconceptions about the treatment of animals in agriculture and the implications for the consumer. This week we are digging in on animal health and welfare in agriculture. Join us for insightful conversations featuring Joyce Van Donkersgoed, a dedicated feedlot veterinarian, lead consultant for the Beef Cattle Research Council, and Western Canadian Animal Health Chair, alongside Dickson Delorme, a rancher turned comedian and YouTube personality, known to his 150K+ subscribers as Quick Dick McDick. Together, we address some of the most pressing issues facing Canadian agriculture today. Guided by our host Don Shafer, in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we’re ready to dig in. Are you? www.quickdickmcdick.ca #QDM #QuickDickMcDick #SmallTownComedyTour https://animalhealthcanada.ca https://stories.ulethbridge.ca/healthy-hooves https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joyce-Van-Donkersgoed #joycevandonkersgoed @joycevandonkersgoed

Mission Statement:

Unite our customers, member/owners, staff, and elected officials toward balancing our common purpose of improving economic and social well-being of agriculture owners and their communities with sound business decisions that drive profit growth!

Promote and support the establishment of strong, professional business relationships by understanding the needs of our loyal customers/members and providing relevant, worthwhile solutions.

Develop and execute a strategic plan that strives for best-in-class customer experiences, recognizes and quickly adapts to relevant technology and promotes sustainable practices on behalf of and for our member/owners in all markets.

Remain connected to our roots and grounded in communities, Alberta's natural resources, rural involvement and awareness, and the ideal that cooperation, neighbour to neighbour, town to town, and member to member is a heritage to be proud of and protected.

Vision

To be recognized as the most trusted and reliable supplier of petroleum, crop, livestock, building products and services in the markets we serve.

Core Values

A company is defined by its values. These are the principles by which we go about the day-to-day business of serving our owners and customers, and how we treat each other as employees.

Performance

Integrity

Collaboration

Progressive thinking

Accountability

Agility

Respect  

#podcast #education

Digging in with UFA - The Changing Nature Of Farming

When it comes to cost, there are so many variables farmers and ranchers face that, as a consumer, are completely unseen in the process of farm to plate. This week we are digging in on the changing nature and cost of farming. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from Co-Owner and Operations Manager for Grace Feedyards Dorothy Thengs and Managing Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute Tyler McCann while we dig to the root of Canadian Agriculture's most pressing conversations. Guided by our host Don Shafer in partnership with United Farmers of Alberta, we’re ready to dig in. Are you? 

#podcast #farming