When it comes to farm transition, don’t underestimate the soft skills. The farm’s legacy and each farm members’ personality influences business governance - and it’s important to explore both for effective transition planning and collaboration. In this episode of Inputs, Sarah Stamp, founder of Sarah Stamp Farm Consulting, discusses the importance of understanding the various personalities involved in farm transition through personality tests. She also speaks to the benefit of preserving a farm’s history by writing it down, whether the farm is continuing to operate in the family or is being sold. All of her expertise is filtered through her own experience on her husband’s family farm in Enchant, Alta. Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Double trouble: Soybean cyst nematode and sudden death syndrome
Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and sudden death syndrome (SDS) are a duo to be reckoned with. Continuing to spread across Ontario and wreak havoc on soybean yields, this double threat causes millions of dollars in losses each year in the province.In this episode of Inputs, Dr. Owen Wally, research scientist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada at the Harrow Research and Development Centre, discusses how SDS and SCN start below the surface but lead to above-ground impacts to soybean yields and economic returns. Breeding research has come a long way to help manage these diseases and Wally provides some recommendations for keeping this duo in check.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Tale of two weeds: Kochia and wild oat
Kochia and wild oat are two weeds that are top of mind for growers across the Prairies. While kochia is a relatively newer concern, it’s a highly adaptable weed that’s moving further and further north. Wild oat has been a problem for a long time and resistance continues to evolve. In this episode of Inputs, Dr. Charles Geddes, research scientist in weed ecology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, Alta., discusses the characteristics of kochia and wild oat and what conditions cause them to thrive. He also explains why they are difficult to manage and how resistance evolves with each. With recent research insights on both, Geddes speaks to management strategies such as effective crop rotation and narrow row spacing and higher seeding rates for kochia, as well as harvest weed seed control for wild oat. He says it’s also important to scout and test for herbicide resistance.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Support for this episode provided by Syngenta.
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Assessing Aphanomyces root rot
No one’s a fan of Aphanomyces root rot - and for good reason. In a wet year, this disease can cause significant damage in field pea and lentil crops across the Prairies. In this episode of Inputs, Dr. Michelle Hubbard, research scientist in pulse pathology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Swift Current, Sask., shares insight from some of the latest research on Aphanomyces root rot. She speaks to management strategies available now, including longer crop rotations, soil testing and field selection, and how research could expand the management options available in the future. She leaves listeners with the hopeful message that there is a lot of work going into this troublesome disease; progress is being made.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Making the most of nitrogen
Nitrogen use efficiency is an index of how well a plant is putting its nitrogen to use for higher yields. Knowing how to improve management practices surrounding nitrogen is a win for your crop and the environment. In this episode of Inputs, Dr. Kate Congreves, associate professor in the Department of Plant Sciences and Jarislowsky research chair, discussed her latest research projects related to nitrogen, including nitrogen use efficiency in spring wheat varieties and overwinter and spring thaw nitrous oxide emissions in the Northern Prairies. She also speaks to the importance of soil sampling, the value of enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) and the potential for green ammonia. Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
South Africa