AgAnnex Talks

Emily Ford is a senior agronomist with Quattro Farms in Bow Island, Alta. Ford always knew she had a passion for agriculture, and spent her early career gaining new experiences at both ends of the country as she learned more about which environments she thrived in the most. Ultimately, Ford is driven by a passion for helping Canadians understand where their food comes from – and she executes this crucial advocacy through programming work with the Irvine Ag School, while also serving as a voice for producers through the Potato Growers of Alberta. She's also a Nuffield Scholar, and is th...

Growing up on a grain and dairy farm, Candace Mitschke has always been involved in agriculture, but her career path has taken many turns. She’s worked in animal nutrition, hay exporting, functional food development, marketing and communications, crop insurance - and more - all of which eventually led to her role as executive director of SaskFSA (Farm Stewardship Association) and project lead for SaskDEN (Drainage Extension Network) in Saskatchewan. Mitschke is also a nominee of this year’s Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture (IWCA) award. 

In this episode, Mitschke speaks with agriculture editor Kaitlin Berger about water...

Athyna Cambouris has played a pivotal role in paving the way for precision agriculture in Canada. As a research scientist at the Quebec Research and Development Centre for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, her work is driven by her goal to help farmers manage their crop production challenges. Athyna carries a passion for soil science and takes any opportunity to collaborate with farmers and other researchers. 

Tune into this conversation with agriculture editor Jill Filmer as Athyna walks us through her journey into the research field, how she prioritizes getting important knowledge into the hands of farmers and p...

Blanket tariffs — like the proposed 25 per cent tariffs on all imports into the United States from Canada, set to come into place March 4 – affect every single industry. However, although the effects on almost all of Canada's industries are significant and negative, they're also all unique. Those who work in export commodities know that these complexities extend beyond consumer-level "buy Canadian" sentiment.

In this special episode of AgAnnex Talks, we discuss the unique ways in which the agriculture, agri-food and growing sectors would be affected by the planned tariffs. They discuss the subsectors that would be most affected, how...

We're mostly all about tile talk here on Focus on Drainage. But today's guest is detailing an alternative to tile: mole drains. While not as common in North America as they are overseas, mole drains are a cheaper alternative to tile drainage. While they don't work in every soil type or topography, a practical use case for mole drains – even when combined with traditional tile drainage – isn't that hard to see, says Ghane.

Some drainage doubters have legitimate concerns about whether or not drainage would worsen the effects of drought conditions in fields where soil moisture is significantly lacking. Dr. Vinayak Shedekar of the Ohio State University agrees that drainage could potentially worsen field conditions in areas experiencing significant drought – like the one experienced by Ohio in the summer of 2024, when more than 20 counties were declared to be on a D4 drought condition, some even into November, resulting in a significant decrease in yield for grain crops across the interstate.

But Shedekar points out that, at least in Ohio's case, dr...

Denitrifying bioreactors are a key edge-of-field practice for removing excess nutrients from agricultural water before it enters our nation's waterways. But adoption of bioreactors is a tough sell, in part because it requires a less traditional ROI approach. Dr. Laura Christianson shares the details of how bioreactors work, what the ideal pairings are of edge-of-field practices and how they pay off in the long run – even in the less traditional senses.

This episode is sponsored by Timewell.

Loralee Orr grew up on the farm. But as commercial leader for Corteva Canada, she’s also passionate about letting people of all ages know that one doesn’t have to grow up on the farm to find a fulfilling career in agriculture. In fact, Orr is passionate about introducing people to all of the diverse aspects of agriculture beyond primary production. Government relations, communications and the vast world of innovation are all spaces to watch, says Orr, and that’s why it’s important to invest in and nurture young talent and attract them to the diverse and exciting...

It can take time to find your true strengths.

FCC's Aimée Ferré Stang shares how she's discovered, honed and grown her strengths in crucial, business-related skills since starting her career. And many skills, such as HR, marketing and other skills deemed more "soft" often are not taught in high school. But these skills often help farms succeed – from leading your teams to applying for a loan. Ferré Stang shares the skills she wish she learned when she was younger, how she learned to sell herself, and how she applies those skills to those she helps in her d...

How far can you go if you truly challenge yourself?

Bayer's Arvel Lawson shares her insights into her career, including how things changed when she internalized feedback. Having always thought of herself as a technical and science-based individual, Lawson found that when she channeled her curiosity into improving her people skills. She also discusses how she's formally and informally honed and improved her skills, what she's learned from her mentors and how people in all aspects of ag can learn from their relationships.

Special thanks to platinum sponsor Bayer for their continued support of Influential...

Fourth-generation contractor Jesse Tait was born into the industry. But he's never rested on his laurels. Believing that "can't lives on won't street," Tait strives to help farmers better understand the long-term payoff of drainage, while contextualizing the work that goes into drainage.

In this episode, Tait shares his experiences not only with working as a contractor in Northern Ontario, where subsurface drainage remains relatively new, but also his perspectives on working with restrictions, learning on the go and bringing a collaborative approach to drainage.

Based in Alberta, Kendra Donnelly is the president of Ki-Era Cattle and Consulting, a company that provides business development, administration and CFO services within the beef industry. Although Donnelly grew up on a feedlot operation, working with animals didn't come naturally and she didn't initially expect to build a career in agriculture.

In 2015, Kendra and her husband partnered with her parents as shareholders in a feedlot operation near Acme, Alberta - and that initial investment grew into multiple businesses. With a masters degree in business administration and a CPA accounting designation, she now acts as president for...

For Kimberley Cathline, manager of the research program at the Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) at Niagara College, curiosity has long been a guiding force in her life. This has often resulted in her making decisions that some in her life have questioned. From travelling across the continent to California for her first job out of school to pursuing a graduate degree while balancing a family and full-time job, Cathline has repeatedly forged her own path.

In her conversation with agriculture editor Alex Barnard, Cathline discusses her nearly 20-year career in agricultural research, the importance of...

The need to feed the world through agriculture is only getting more demanding – but so is the need to preserve waterways and environmental health. The Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) focuses on driving collaboration between contractors, farmers and various agencies in order to serve meet those goals.

In this episode, we chat with ADMC executive director Keegan Kult at LICA's recent Water Management Forum to discuss the evolving approach to water management, success stories, positive examples of collaboration and more.

Feed the world. Preserve the environment for everyone's enjoyment. Christine Brown, one of our 2024 IWCA honourees, views her mission in life to be one of stewardship. It's that steadfast belief that helps Brown feel like she's among family when she networks with her fellow manure extension associates, wherever they're from.

It didn't take Brown long to know she wanted to be in agriculture. Raised on a small dairy farm, Brown initially envisioned herself as an agricultural journalist – she didn't want to be involved in "widgets," but eventually found a love of conservation, soil and crops which led he...

In the second episode of our new miniseries, agri-ecosystem specialist Mitchell Timmerman of Manitoba Agriculture discusses the growing trend of subsurface drainage for the purpose of agricultural water management in Manitoba. What's driving the rise of drainage in an area previously thought to not need much? And, if you're in a new-to-drainage area, what are the seven key questions to ask before installing?

Sabine Banniza, professor at the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan and strategic research chair in pulse crop pathology, has spent over twenty years specializing in research on diseases in pulse crops. With a long-time passion for safe and sustainable food production, she's made significant contributions to Canada's status as the principal exporter of pulses.

Through leading research teams and providing training through the Crop Diagnostic School, Banniza continuously invests in mentorship and passing her knowledge to the next generation. She encourages young people to strive for excellence in their work and to build a...

Welcome to our new podcast miniseries, Focus on Drainage. In this four-episode miniseries, we speak to experts from different aspects of the agricultural drainage and water management sector to discuss evolving trends and innovation in the field of water management. Contractors, educators, advocates and government experts weigh in on how to evaluate drainage decisions for your operation, how to work with contractors and what to know about drainage and conservation.

In our first episode, we chat with Iowa's Chris Hay. Hay, now an independent consultant focused on agricultural water management, has a background in both academia and...

In our latest episode of the Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture podcast series, we speak to Cheryle Warkentine, Co-Owner of Aletta Holsteins.

Warkentine has been a driving force in modernizing and expanding her family’s farm, which includes dairy cattle, hogs, and laying hens.

Her innovative approach and dedication to sustainable farming practices have significantly enhanced the efficiency and productivity of the operation.

Beyond the farm, Warkentine is a pillar of her community. She manages sports teams, serves on her church’s leadership team, and initiates various volunteer programs, demonstrating her commitment to givi...

“Just the other day, I was looking at third-party certification for polyethylene drainage tubing, and wondering, ‘What does a master’s in sociology and a certificate in conflict mediation have anything to do with what I’m doing?’”

Mel Luymes, who holds several advocacy and organization roles in Ontario agriculture including executive director of the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario (LICO) has spent most of her life chasing diverse challenges, always aiming to reshape her own perceptions and enable lifelong learning. From growing up on a farm to pursuing an education in the humanities and now spending her days alt...

For our inaugural episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Liz Robertson, the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA). With over 20 years of experience, Robertson has been instrumental in building and leading Canada's largest network of farm business professionals. Her dedication has provided continuous learning and networking opportunities for advisors, enhancing their ability to serve the complex needs of Canada’s farm families.

Throughout the interview, Robertson shares some of her proudest achievements and innovations in farm advisory services. She discusses the significant growth of CAFA under her leadership, with membership surpassing 600 pr...

Niagara Falls might not be the obvious venue for a late February trip, but each year Ontario's fruit and vegetable industry converges on the tourist hotspot for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC). Featuring a plethora of educational sessions, craft cider and beer competitions, a lively trade show, and much more, OFVC is the event for those looking for the latest, top-of-mind topics in fruit and vegetable production. One thing the pandemic put into perspective was the value of conversations held at events like this. Whether at a booth, between sessions, or during happy hour, having a casual...

Host Bree Rody catches up with Hamilton Economic Development's Tyson McMann, Business Development Consultant – Agri-Food and Food & Beverage, to discuss the importance of agriculture to the roots – and present – of the city of Hamilton. From the unique geographic and economic factors that lead to big opportunities, to challenges unique to the region, McMann also shares how you can get involved with and support agriculture business, products and the community in Hamilton.

Karen Della Campbell came to agriculture from a non-traditional path. During the course of her travels and studies to become a midwife, she and her then-boyfriend, now-husband lived in Eugene, Ore., and were surrounded by farms and market gardens – which she had never seen in southern Ontario in the 1990s. When they returned to Ontario, they opened their own market garden, selling through the Guelph Farmers Market, which led them to Hillsburgh, Ont.'s Everdale Farm, a former free school, once the land they were farming traded hands.

Since then, Campbell and her team have developed Everdale in...

Our final GroundBreakers episode profiles Dr. Gary Sands of the University of Minnesota. Considered a leading educator in the field of drainage and water management, Dr. Sands is also known for his powerful collaboration skills. He’s led a series of drainage design workshops that have been a model for other extension drainage schools; he led the development of the annual Drainage Research Forum, which is now in its twenty-first year. His nominator, Chris, described his research work as game-changing, and having led to significant scientific advancements.

This episode is sponsored by The Water Table, a Prinsco ed...

Widely recognized as a leader and innovator in regenerative soil management, Judith has led and co-led a number of national projects, including the Living Laboratories Atlantic Canada project. She’s an active advocate for the Living Lab concept, and beyond her research, has mentored two summer students every summer for the past decade, and also serves as an adjunct professor at Dalhousie and Laval Universities.

In this conversation, Nyiraneza discusses how her young life in Rwanda, which brought her an inherent appreciation for agriculture combined with an aptitude for science, led her toward that specific discipline in he...

Chris Hay never wanted to go into agriculture at first – "that's what Dad did," he says. But a fascination with water management led him down the path of agricultural irrigation and drainage. After spending some time in the "ivory tower" of academia, Hay later turned to extension work and then parlayed that into his role with the Iowa Soybean Association, where he balances his loves of research, education and working up-close and personal with farmers. A problem-solver by nature, Hay discusses his passion for the work, the role and the results.

Ontario-based Darby McGrath has been involved in agriculture since she was a teenager: first through working on tree fruit farms in the Niagara region, through her several roles with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, as an adjunct professor with the University of Waterloo and Brock University, and as a board member of Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests non-profit organization.

Nominated by Vineland plant breeding research scientist Rachael LeBlanc, McGrath stood out for her research accomplishments in horticulture and her leadership capabilities. While McGrath is fairly new to her role as vice-president of research and development at Vineland...

Today, we’re talking to our second 2023 honouree: Jacob Handsaker of Hands-On Tiling and Excavating. Nominated by Jeremy Mulholland, Jacob has been widely recognized by a number of other professionals in the field for his efforts to push the industry forward, especially in Iowa. Jeremy described Jacob as being on the front edge of critical water quality practices such as installing multiple saturated buffers on Iowa fields through the state’s batch and build program. In partnering with the ADMC, the Iowa Agricultural Water Alliance, the NRCS and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Jacob has installed upwa...

Ana Badea is a Manitoba-based research scientist for barley breeding and genetics, leading Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) largest two-row and hulless barley breeding program at the Brandon Research and Development Centre. Badea is also involved in the development and training of the next generation of researchers and agriculture professionals as an adjunct professor at the University of Manitoba, where she helps guide graduate students as a co-supervisor and member of the advisory committee.

Badea was nominated as an IWCA recipient by Dean Dias, CEO at Cereals Canada, who, in addition to her leadership at AAFC, hi...

Welcome to our second edition of The GroundBreakers, our annual recognition program for contractors, advocates and water management professionals who go above and beyond to elevate the field of agricultural drainage.

Our first honoree of 2023 is LaVerne Weber, president of Grade Solutions Inc. in Illinois. After transitioning from the roads industry into drainage, Weber has led Grade Solutions to become known for two things: exemplary customer service and innovation – and the two often go hand-in-hand. For example, Grade Solutions recognizes the importance of bioreactors – but in order to make buffers as effective as possible, Grade Solutions goes abov...

Saskatchewan-based Heather Wilson is a research scientist and program leader in the vaccine formulation and delivery group at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, or VIDO. She’s also an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan in the department of veterinary microbiology and the school of public health.

Nominated by Erin Gilchrist, Dr. Wilson’s nomination package focused on the reputation she’s been able to establish for her lab at VIDO, and the innovations she and her team have achieved together. She’s also helping guide others into the field and is described as a dedicate...

In our first episode of the 2023 Influential Women in Canada Agriculture podcast series, we speak to Kelly Daynard, executive director of Farm and Food Care Ontario. In her long-time role as a public trust advocate, she shares meaningful stories and information with consumers to broaden their understanding of Canadian food and farming and the people behind it.

Almost all crops begin in the soil. Soil is a complex system and managing it is similarly complex, with no one-size-fits-all approach. But there are some commonalities. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in soil management?

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard chats with Angie Straathof, program director with the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). She discusses how she came to soil science, OSCIA's programs and initiatives, and the importance of maintaining or increasing soil organic matter (SOM) levels. 

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Ta...

Biologicals are a hot topic these days, with several companies releasing new or updated bio products onto the market in recent years. But what are these products and how are they used?

Rose Buitenhuis, senior research scientist, biological control, at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Vineland, Ont., joins Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard to break down what biologicals are and discuss some of the research being conducted at Vineland on biological controls, as well as what to know or consider when using a biological product.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on...

When Karen Tanino was hired by the University of Saskatchewan’s college of agriculture and bioresources in 1988, she was only the second female faculty member. Now, Tanino is a professor of plant sciences at the university and leads or is involved in many other projects concerning a variety of crops, environmental conditions, and extension and outreach activities; her self-confidence and drive to figure things out and move forward, as well as the support of her male colleagues, have made her a force to be reckoned with in Canadian agriculture. 

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Tanino, one of...

Dr. Valarie Carney has been one of North America’s most respected poultry science leaders for nearly two decades. Based in Edmonton as the Poultry Innovation Partnership lead, she supports excellence in research and innovation in Canada’s poultry industry. She’s also served in leadership roles with many provincial, national and international poultry science organizations. What’s more, she helps train the next generation of poultry specialists through her work with graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Alberta.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Carney, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Cana...

Mary Ruth McDonald has always been interested in plants, which led her to the University of Guelph, the study of plant pathology, and an interest in crop protection. But it was a summer job as a pest management scout in Ontario’s Holland Marsh that clarified what she wanted to do with those interests. Between her work as an OMAFRA pest management specialist and as a professor in the department of plant agriculture at the University of Guelph, McDonald has spent almost her entire career focusing on vegetable cropping in the unique agricultural production conditions of the Holland Marsh, ac...

Manitobans Brett Sheffield and Matt Mroz have worked closely together since their days studying agriculture. Sheffield, who owns NextGen Drainage and Mroz, owner of Revasto Enterprises, pride themselves in continuously challenging themselves and their knowledge, knowing the alternative ways to do things and growing their businesses at sustainable rates. As part of the GroundBreakers series, they discuss where they see themselves in the industry and where they see drainage heading.

While Heather Watson didn’t grow up on a farm, most of her youth she was drawn to agriculture, nature and farming, whether it was through her part-time job at a local farm supply store or living near farmland. After initially obtaining her Master’s degree in English literature, Watson pivoted her focus to farm business management, establishing herself in Eastern Ontario – and never looked back. Now as executive director of Farm Management Canada, Watson focuses on promoting farmers’ leadership development and elevating the voices of traditionally underrepresented groups in farming.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Watson, o...