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:

• Agronomy for Lentils: Residual nitrogen ongoing project & lentil input study – Chris Holzapfel, Research Manager, Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation (IHARF)
• Agronomy for Chickpeas: Key takeaways & learnings from trials – Amber Wall, Research Technician, Wheatland Conservation Area
• Managing Herbicide Resistance – Martin Carr, Agronomy Manager, WinField United
• Chickpea Plant Health Update – Dr. Michelle Hubbard, Research Scientist Pulse Pathology, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
• Root Rot: Current situation & discussion on projects – Dr. Syama Chatterton, Plant Pathologist, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and Dr. Sabine Banniza, Professor of Plant Pathology, Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan
• Limagrain Breeding Program Update – Lorena Pahl, Commercial Product Development Manager, Limagrain Cereal Seeds

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.

Winter is upon us, and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has several education and networking opportunities available to producers and agronomists in the coming months. In this episode, Jasmine Hanson and Amanda Carlson of SPG's Marketing & Communications team give you a sneak peak of what to expect at the upcoming Pulse Variety Seminar, Winter Pulse Meetings, and Annual General Meeting. To learn more about these events and register, visit SPG's event page.

As growers start thinking about next production season, it may be worth considering some alternative pulse crops with a lower risk of Aphanomyces root rot. SPG Agronomy Managers Meagen Reed and Mike Brown discuss the benefits of growing small & minor acre pulses and the value they can provide to your crop rotation. Meagen explains why now is a great time to consider growing an alternative pulse crop and what regions might benefit from experimenting with soybeans, chickpeas, faba beans, or dry beans in 2024.

As growers start thinking about next production season, SPG Agronomy Managers Meagen Reed and Mike Brown are here with your must-have resources for 2024 planning. Mike explains why inoculants and seed treatments are key to setting next year’s pulse crops up for success and what products may be best for your operation. We will also learn how seed and soil tests help evaluate your disease risk and what that means for your rotation decisions.

How do you choose which pulse varieties to grow? How do you know which pulses will be best for your soil zone? In this episode, Laurie Friesen, SPG Seed Program Manager chats with Mark Watson from Watson Seeds Limited and breeders Drs. Bunyamin Ta’ran and Tom Warkentin from the Crop Development Centre. They discuss several new pulse varieties available to growers, the benefits of each, and tips on how to select which variety for your farming operation. 

Dry conditions across much of Western Canada are resulting in a smaller harvest than was hoped. The reduced yields mean potential export volumes will be lower as well. While the short supplies will generally be supportive for prices, how hard the market will need to work to do the necessary demand rationing will vary by crop. In this episode Jasmine Hanson, SPG's Digital Marketing Manager, interviews Jon Driedger, Vice President of Leftfield Commodity Research to discuss how the results of this year’s harvest will impact current pulse markets.