Pulse of the Prairies

In this episode, SPG’s Director of Research & Development is joined by a panel of experts: SPG Agronomy Manager, Research and Extension Manager with Alberta Pulse Growers, and Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers Executive Director. They discuss new developments in the fight against root rot in pulses, including the Root Rot Task Force, collaboration and new initiatives, significant investments in root rot research, and more.

The Root Rot Task Force, consisting of contributors from Alberta Pulse Growers, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, created this online resource for anyone working with pulse crops to learn strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and treating root rot complex. Visit RootRot.ca to learn more.

Pulse harvest is underway in some areas of the province, while others are expected to begin soon. In this episode, SPG’s Agronomy Managers, Meagen Reed and Mike Brown, along with SPG summer student Emily Wudrick, discuss how pulses are faring as they make their way to the bin.

Additional Resources:

Missed our Ag in Motion kick-off breakfast?

Catch the conversation in this episode, where RealAgriculture’s Shaun Haney hosts a dynamic panel of industry experts to explore the innovative pathways shaping the future of pulse breeding, variety commercialization, and royalties. Hear why building a competitive breeding environment is essential for the pulse industry to remain competitive in Western Canada, learn the facts about this direction, and hear about exciting innovation to make you as producers more profitable through breeding and new variety development.
This discussion was recorded live at Ag in Motion on July 16, 2024.

Learn more about the future of pulse breeding here.

Statistics Canada published their estimates of principal field crop areas for the year 2024 on June 27. In this episode of the Pulse of the Prairies podcast Jasmine Hanson, SPG’s Digital Marketing Manager, interviews Marlene Boersch of Mercantile Consulting Venture to discuss her thoughts on the report and its findings, where global supply and demand are currently sitting, and her marketing advice for producers once the 2024 pulses are in the bin. 

In this episode, SPG Agronomy Manager Meagen Reed talks to Greg Bartley, Director of Crop Protection & Crop Quality with Pulse Canada. Their discussion includes the product advisory guidelines for pulses and the market risks that can arise from using certain crop protection products off-label. Listen to this episode to learn how to keep your pulse crop export-ready.

In this episode, Amber Johnson, SPG’s Director of Marketing & Communications, is joined by Dr. Julianne Curran, Vice President, Market Innovation at Pulse Canada, to discuss the results of Canadian national market development efforts over the past year. Their discussion touches on outcomes such as using peas in pet food, serving lentils on foodservice menus, and developments in end uses for faba bean ingredients such as flour, dairy and dairy alternatives, and protein performance.

Summer is knocking on the door and SPG's Agronomy team has several projects and events keeping them on the road this year. In this latest episode SPG Agronomy Managers Meagen Reed and Mike Brown introduce our 2024 Summer Field Agronomist, Emily Wudrick, and discuss the work she will be doing to monitor pulse fields across Saskatchewan in the coming months. Meagen explains this year's Applied Research & Demonstration projects, Mike details the pulse variety showcases and field scale trials, and Emily tells us about some can't-miss events for pulse producers and agronomists: https://saskpulse.com/events/

In this episode SPG Board Chair, Winston van Staveren, sits down with Brian Innes, Executive Director with Soy Canada, to recap the recently held Soy Canada Northern Soy Summit. Highlights include important dialogue between researchers, growers, exporters, and processors, with discussions focused on improving the perceived value of Canadian soybeans to match the actual value.

The 2024 Winter Pulse Meetings have concluded but there are still opportunities to catch all the latest updates related to pulse agronomy, breeding and varieties, herbicide resistance, and disease management. In this episode SPG Agronomy Managers, Mike Brown and Meagen Reed, catch up with this year's presenters to discuss their areas of expertise:

In this episode SPG Board Member, Stuart Lawrence, sits down with the 2023 Pulse Promoter Award winner, Eric Johnson, retired weed and pulse scientist and agronomist, to discuss the impact Eric's career has had on pulse production. He offers insight into what the future may hold for weed control in pulses, and what innovations the future needs to achieve.