Inputs - by Top Crop Manager

With more and more Canadian farmers retiring, fewer people returning to the family farm and a bigger disconnect between rural and urban communities, the reasons for the widening labour gap in Canadian agriculture are diverse. But there is no doubt the gap exists and continues to grow.As an industry, how do we attract people from other industries? How do we educate the next-generation of Canadian youth on the job opportunities available to them? How do farmers find workers? How do young farmers overcome the barriers to get into operating?In this episode of Inputs, Kaitlin Berger, editor of Top Crop Manager West, discusses these topics with Jennifer Wright, executive director of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC). The discussion includes the challenges we’re facing when it comes to agriculture labour in Canada, what is being done about it and where the opportunities lie for growing the workforce. It also includes thoughts on barriers, education, automation, technology and more.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you're growing cereals or flax this season, there are a few key diseases to watch, including Fusarium head blight, bacterial leaf streak, pasmo - among others.In this episode of Inputs, tune in to hear quick tips from Randy Kutcher, professor and plant pathologist at the University of Saskatchewan, on scouting and managing disease.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

It's worth being on guard for invasive pigweeds like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp this coming season. So far, these weeds haven't been discovered in Saskatchewan or Alberta, but they've been slowly creeping up from south of the border.In this episode of Inputs, Kaitlin Berger, editor of Top Crop Manager West, speaks with Dr. Shaun Sharpe, research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Tune in to hear about his project to raise awareness about these problematic weeds. Sharpe discusses the status of invasive pigweeds in Canada, why they pose a threat and how to mitigate it across the Prairies. He also dives into helpful management strategies for kochia and wild oat this season.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Earlier this year, in January 2026, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced their decision to eliminate over 600 positions and close three research and development centres in Guelph, Ont., Quebec City, Que. and Lacombe, Alta., as well as four satellite research farms in Nappan, N.S., Scott, Sask., Indian Head, Sask. and Portage La Prairie, Man. Since the announcement there have been many discussions about how these cuts will impact Canadian agriculture.In this special episode of Inputs, Kaitlin Berger, editor of Top Crop Manager West, and Jill Filmer, editor of Top Crop Manager East and Fruit & Vegetable, interview three industry experts with deeper insight on this recent event. Hear Berger's discussion with Lori Oatway, research scientist at Western Crop Innovations in Lacombe, Alta and seed grower, as well as her interview with David Gehl, retired head of the seed increase unit and officer-in-charge at the research centre in Indian Head, Sask. And listen in on Filmer's discussion with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Canadian researcher and professor who specializes in food distribution, safety and policy - currently on sabbatical at Dalhousie University and visiting scholar at McGill University.They discuss how these cuts could disrupt the research network in Canada and impact variety development. They also speak to the importance of consulting the industry to determine how to shift research in a reasonable time.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Another busy season and harvest are under your belt, with the next growing season soon to be in sight. During the slower times between growing seasons, planning and maintenance may be top of mind – but have you thought to check in on your mental wellness too?In this episode of Inputs, Jill Filmer, editor of Top Crop Manager East, chats with Kylie Stokes, the program coordinator at AgriCare NL on farmer mental health strategies. AgriCare NL is a mental health and farm safety program at the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture in partnership with the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.As a professionally trained psychotherapist, Stokes reflects on the unique pressures that farmers face – as experienced with the extreme drought conditions and trade uncertainties of 2025. She describes practical coping mechanisms to manage chronic stress and burnout from everyday life on the farm amidst the added pressures of extreme weather and market uncertainty to build resilience in the face of unpredictable times.If you are looking for professional support, please refer to these resources:National Farmer Crisis Line: 1-866-327-6701AgTalkNever miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

FCC released a report on September 22 of this year entitled The $12-billion trade shift: Canada’s opportunity to diversify food exports beyond the U.S, outlining a path to reduce Canadian food and beverage exports to the U.S. to 50 per cent of 2023 levels (76 per cent). The report suggests this is possible through strengthening inter-provincial trade, leveraging existing free trade agreements, and establishing new international trading partnerships.In this episode of Inputs, Kaitlin Berger, editor of Top Crop Manager West, speaks with Craig Klemmer, manager of thought leadership at FCC with 15 years of experience leading the Economics and Portfolio Risk Management teams. He shares how FCC calculated the $12-billion trade shift opportunity and what's needed to get there. He highlights practical examples of opportunities to increase diversification and reduce reliance on the U.S.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Sponsored by FCC.

The crop’s finally off the field, wrapping up another growing season. Instead of turning the page to next season, what else should happen in the field before winter hits?In this episode, Jake Munroe, soil management specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, discusses what farmers should prioritize once crops, specifically corn and soybeans, are harvested. Whether planning to plant a winter cover crop or not, Munroe talks about the importance of residue management, considerations for tillage, assessing soil health and more to maintain productive soil into next season and beyond.

In addition to climate challenges, growers are facing instability around input costs and supply chain issues. Rethinking access to fertilizer could help take away some of that uncertainty and bring peace of mind.FuelPositive is bringing decentralized on-farm green ammonia technology to local farms, giving farmers control and allowing them to produce their own fertilizer. They have established the first demonstration project near the town of Sperling, Manitoba. In this episode, editor Kaitlin Berger speakers with Ian Clifford, co-founder and CEO of FuelPositive, about this new technology. He shares why it's important, how it could help producers and provides a financial breakdown for the investment. Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Sponsored by FuelPositive.

Camelina is an oilseed crop that originated in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia in similar climates to the prairie provinces in Western Canada. It’s well-adapted to the southern regions of Canada because it has good drought tolerance and it’s well-adapted to the northern regions of the country because it has good frost tolerance and a short growing season. In this episode, Christina Eynck, research scientist and plant breeder at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, discusses the benefits and challenges of growing camelina. She speaks to the advances plant breeders have made in variety development for the crop. She discusses spring and winter biotypes - and how growers can know how to choose the best option for their farm. Learn about the crop’s development, end-use products, biofuel potential and more.Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The terms ‘cover crop’ and ‘service crop’ are interchangeable. Regardless of the term you use, these crops do more than just cover the soil after the main crops come off the field. In this episode of Inputs, we’re going back to the basics – what are cover crops and what’s their purpose in a crop rotation? Kim Schneider, assistant professor at the University of Guelph, discusses the typical cover crops grown in Ontario, the agroecological benefits they provide, her current research projects – including a project with the Living Labs Initiative – and considerations before planting a cover crop (hint: understand your “why”).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 Proven Seed.