Beyond The Yield Podcast

A wet growing season and challenging harvest conditions across much of Alberta raised concerns about malt barley quality in 2026. But what does it take for a load of barley to meet malting specifications, and how can growers protect the quality and marketability of their crop? In Episode 7 of Beyond the Yield, we’re joined by Sherwin Santiano, Technical Specialist, and Aaron Onio, Malting and Brewing Technical Specialist with the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC). Drawing on their firsthand experience analyzing barley samples, they break down the key quality parameters for malting barley, the impacts of moisture and pre-harvest sprouting, and what this year's crop conditions mean for growers. They also share practical insights on variety selection, seeding timing, monitoring germination and proper grain storage to help growers navigate future harvest challenges and protect the value of their malt barley.  

In this episode, Alberta Grains’ Director of Government Relations, Policy and Markets, Shannon Sereda, speaks with Peter Watts, Managing Director of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC).  They discuss how CMBTC connects Canadian barley farmers with maltsters, brewers and customers around the world, helping demonstrate the value and quality of Canadian malting barley.  The conversation explores how CMBTC uses applied research, technical expertise and customer engagement to understand what end users need, communicate those needs back through the value chain and help address quality challenges when they arise.  They also discuss this year’s challenging harvest conditions, the importance of managing customer expectations and maintaining Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality malting barley. 

In this episode, Alberta Grains agronomy extension specialist Ruoxi Xia is joined by Dr. David Burton, Professor at Dalhousie University, and Dr. Erin Daly, Project Manager of CanN2ONet, to discuss how extreme moisture conditions, including drought and flood, impact nutrient cycling, nutrient availability and nitrogen loss.  The conversation explores how a network of researchers is working to better understand the impact of soil moisture conditions on nutrient mineralization, and how nutrient release synchronizes with plant uptake.   Looking forward, their work lays the foundation for more accurate variable-rate technology that takes into consideration nutrient release from the soil. All of them ultimately help answer the million-dollar question “how to fertilize the crop in the most profitable way?”.    For more information:   CanN2ONet  A network of researchers from across Canada and partners from industry, government, and producer organizations combining scientific expertise with real-world perspectives to develop practical, evidence-based solutions for reducing agricultural nitrous oxide emissions.  Enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizer: what does the newest prairie research say?  An article summarizing research on EEF, answering the question: Does an EEF provide benefits on grain yield and farm profit compared to urea? 

In this episode, Alberta Grains agronomy extension specialist Ruoxi Xia is joined by Dr. Jeff Schoenau, Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, to discuss straw management. This episode explores how retaining and removing the straw impacts soil moisture and temperature in both knoll and depressional areas in the field. They look at the value straw has to soil nutrient and soil health, discussing the recommended practices for straw management.   Relevant Links:  Prairie Nutrient Removal Calculator:  This nutrient removal calculator estimates the nutrients removed in the harvested seed or grain. Nutrient removal from stubbles are NOT included Forage and Crop Nutrient Calculator The Forage and Crop Nutrient Calculator calculates the relative value of nitrogen, phosphorus as phosphate and sulphur based on the market price and nutrient content of reference fertilizers.  

In this episode, Alberta Grains’ Director of Government Relations, Policy Markets, Shannon Sereda, speaks with Leif Carlson, Vice President of Markets & Trade at Cereals Canada. They discuss the work happening behind the scenes to maintain access to international markets, build demand for Canadian wheat and barley, and protect Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality cereal grains. From market access and trade advocacy to customer relationships and farmer participation in initiatives like Combine to Customer, this episode explores how the entire value chain works together to support long-term success for Alberta farmers.   Relevant Links Cereals Canada – Cereals Canada is the national not-for-profit industry association representing the Canadian cereal grains value chain. Growing Quality newsletter – Subscribe to this quarterly newsletter for growers, researchers, the agriculture community, and value chain organizations to stay up to date on Cereals Canada news. Combine to Customer – Register to attend this three-day course for Canadian grain farmers, featuring grain industry presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on technical activities. Cereals Canada Annual Report – Read the 2025 Cereals Canada Annual Report highlighting the past year’s programming, advocacy, and customer engagement. Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) – Explore how this trade-enabling infrastructure hub will serve as a centre for innovation, research, and advocacy. Alberta – Cereals Canada – Read the Economic Impact study to learn how Alberta’s cereal grain farming and processing sectors contribute billions in economic activity and support thousands of jobs. What About Wheat? – Discover the health benefits of wheat and wheat-based products and how they can support your health goals. Keep it Clean – Provides timely updates on potential market risks and resources for on-farm practices that help crops meet domestic and export customer standards. CAFTA – The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance is a coalition of national organizations advocating for a more open, rules-based, and fair international trading environment for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors.

In this episode, Alberta Grains agronomy extension specialist Ruoxi Xia is joined by Dr. Marwa Laribi, research associate at the University of Alberta, and Sydney Wong, MSc candidate at the University of Alberta, to discuss tan spot in durum wheat and how current research is helping improve disease management for farmers. The conversation explores how tan spot impacts cereal crops across Western Canada, the role of genetic resistance and fungicides in disease control and what researchers are learning about the pathogen through surveys and pathotyping work.   

In our very first episode, we introduce Beyond the Yield with hosts Jeremy Boychyn, director of research, agronomy and extension, and Shannon Sereda, director of government relations, policy and markets at Alberta Grains. They discuss what listeners can expect from the podcast and how it will deliver practical insights to support on-farm decisions.   We then hear from Jonathan Driedger, vice president of LeftField Commodity Research, and Neil Blue, crop market analyst with the Government of Alberta. They discuss what is top of mind heading into the 2026 growing season, including rising input costs, market uncertainty and key factors shaping crop decisions. The conversation also explores the outlook for grain markets and practical tools producers can use to manage risk and plan for the year ahead.   Relevant Links:  Agricultural Marketing Guide – Articles on numerous marketing-related topics to help farm managers improve their farm income through improved marketing.   Cropping Alternatives – Annual cost and returns forecast reports based on average Alberta data, to be used as a guideline for crop choice decisions.   CropChoice$ - Free downloadable computer program to predict revenues and margins for Alberta farm enterprises based on knowledge of the individual farm.   AgriProfit$ - Program that gathers financial information from producers in exchange for individual farm financial analysis.   Alberta Climate Information Service – An interactive tool for Alberta weather forecasts with access to historical data and maps from Alberta’s weather stations.   Leftfield Commodity Research  

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Charles Geddes, a weed research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge. Geddes discusses with us the challenges of managing kochia and some tactics producers can implement to fight back. Geddes discusses the impacts of different crop types as well as cultural practices that can push back on kochia pressure.

In this episode, we chat with Edgar Hammermeister. Edgar is the Manager of Professional Agronomy at Western Ag. I chat with Edger about what the birch effect is, how it works, and how it affects farmers nitrogen decisions. We discuss the impacts that variable nitrogen release from soil organic matter has on nitrogen planning and what producers can do to be more accurate with their decisions.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mario Tenuta, the Senior Industrial Research Chair in 4R Nutrient Management and Professor at the university of Manitoba, to discuss strategies for optimizing nitrogen use in farming. Dr. Tenuta outlines nitrogen losses and the benefits of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, such as urease and nitrification inhibitors. He provides advice on application techniques and timing, tailored to different soil types and environmental conditions. By integrating the "4 Rs" framework—right rate, source, timing, and placement—Dr. Tenuta discusses how to balance environmental concerns with the economic realities of modern farming.