Protect and Profit: Farming for the Future

Farmers and ranchers can access $30 million in new money to improve their pastures and rangelands, thanks to the Weston family and Phase Two of their Prairie Grasslands Initiative. Ducks Unlimited Canada is a partner and will make funding accessible through its new RangeFlex program. On this episode, hear from the Weston family, DUC and a beef producer who improved his grasslands during Phase One of the Initiative.

Drones are fast becoming an important tool on the farm, not just for aerial inspections and picture taking but for seeding. Ranchers Robert Johnson from Saskatchewan and Steve Kenyon from Alberta talk first-hand about their drone seeding experiences.

A chunk of land north of Brandon Manitoba is providing new opportunities for ag research, including a trial in 2026 for GPS collars for cattle. Odanah Pasture is 467 acres of former cropland restored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives (MBFI) has been given use of the land, which will provide an important landscape for testing cattle herd management at scale. On this episode, Mary-Jane Orr from MBFI and Charlotte Crawley from DUC discuss the importance of Odanah Pasture, and cattle farmer Brett McRae explains the virtual fencing study.

We drill down into establishing forages with farm-tested advice from Manitoba producers and recognize the winners in the Top 5 Forage Establishment competition held each year by Ducks Unlimited Canada.

In western Canada, about one in every five acres is considered to be marginal cropland. Half those acres likely lose money every year when seeded to wheat or canola. We’ll hear solutions from ag researchers and farmers including Clayton Robins from Rivers, Manitoba, on ways to turn money-sinks into revenue-producing acres.

Zack Koscielny is the newly-elected board chair for the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association. The entire board executive is comprised of farmers 30 years of age or younger. Koscielny lays out his vision for the MFGA, which promotes the economic prosperity and environmental benefits of forages, grasslands, cover crops and healthy soils.

Governments and conservation groups in western Canada want to give farmers and ranchers both money and agronomic help. Problem is, most farmers don’t know about those programs or they couldn’t be bothered. Researcher Elisabeta Lika from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute  (CAPI) looked into why on-farm conservation programming in Canada has such low uptake.

Each November, farmers and ranchers gather in Brandon MB for the annual Regen Ag Conference. 2025 keynote speaker Tom Krawiec talks about his book ‘Ranching like a 12 year old’ and his presentation ‘Grazing in the Sweet Spot’. A rancher, farm management consultant and author, Tom has developed ways to simplify daily duties on the farm to increase profitability and decrease labour.

Farmland prices continue to rise on the prairies. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) shows a double-digit jump in one province over the past six months. Great if you’re cashing out but not so great if you’re starting up or trying to expand your existing operation. The latest figures and analysis from FCC's Leigh Anderson plus a perspective from University of Regina researcher Andre Magnan on the trend to fewer, larger farms in western Canada.

New research estimates farms in western Canada contain 7.5 million acres of marginal acres. Those acres are too wet, weedy or saline to produce a good crop, yet many farmers continue to spend money year-after-year on input costs with little to no return. Research scientist Sam Robinson explains the problem and provides a solution. Also Saskatchewan farmer Charles Murfin discusses his approach to rehabilitating marginal acres.

Despite record prices for beef, the weather is causing some Manitoba cattle producers to sound the alarm. Carson Callum from the Manitoba Beef Producers and agriculture meteorology specialist Alison Sass from the Manitoba government provide their insights.

When you’re farming, some of the best advice can come from a neighbour who has already faced the same challenge and figured out a winning solution.

Building on that idea, Ducks Unlimited Canada introduced the Grazing Club program in 1999, bringing together livestock producers to learn from one another on how to make their farms more profitable and sustainable.

There’s no fee. Events include on-farm demonstrations and guest speakers.

On this podcast, a Manitoba farmer explains why he got involved and how it’s benefitted his operation. Also hear from the provincial coordi...

Lake Winnipeg is one of the world’s largest freshwater bodies and farmers have a lead role in helping to clean up this important lake. A multi-year project is finding options to reduce the amount of agricultural products which seep into the lake and cause disruptive algae. The project is designed to benefit the lake, farmers and the seven million people who live within the Lake Winnipeg basin.

Avian influenza, or the bird flu, is affecting and infecting people and animals in many countries…including Canada. To separate fact from fiction on the H5N1 strain is Dr. Matt Dyson, a research scientist with the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research.

Conserving land can be a big decision. June Cowan, a third-generation farmer from Elkhorn Manitoba, explains why conserving her family farm was important…both morally and financially. And Kylie Plett from Ducks Unlimited Canada explains how the process works, the benefits of conserving land and how payment is determined.

Establishing a successful forage crop depends on a number of variables. Luck should not be one. On this episode, tips for getting that great forage catch from the winning farmers in Ducks Unlimited Canada's Top 5 Forage Establishment competition. Also, Joseph Gardiner from Covers & Co talks about forage and soil health.

Efforts to cure cancer, fight against hunger or conserve natural habitat all come at a price. As Canada’s largest conservation group and a registered charity, Ducks Unlimited Canada relies on financial gifts to support its efforts. Heather Gray talks about why she is leaving DUC something in her will and Kathryne Cardwell explains options for planned giving.

Cam Dodds remembers when Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) constructed a dam on his family's farm in the 1950s; one of 240 DUC structures in Manitoba that preserve wetlands. He shares those childhood memories and talks about collaborating with DUC in 2024 to refurbish that dam. Also, Zane Zondervan from DUC discusses the operation and upkeep of those many water control structures.

Drained wetlands are a common site on prairie farms, despite science showing sloughs and marshes can provide many benefits including groundwater filtration, flood and drought mitigation, and habit for birds and animals. 

Fortunately, in many cases, a wetland can be restored to its previous function simply by plugging the drain.

Hear from a Manitoba farmer about why he restored 70 acres of wetlands and a wetlands researcher about the on-farm and environmental benefits.

Most farms in western Canada contain land that is too weedy, wet or saline to produce a good crop. The impact on a farm's bottom line can be significant. Find out what causes those marginal patches and how you can get those acres rehabilitated and productive. Interviews with research scientist Sam Robinson, farm production expert Elmer Kaskiw and Ducks Unlimited Canada agronomist Charlotte Crawley.

Winter wheat has proven to be a high-yielding and high-earning crop. This episode explores the winter wheat advantage with Manitoba Agriculture's cereal grains expert, a Manitoba seed retailer and DUC's winter wheat specialist. Learn about best practices for seeding and nitrogen fixing, plus hear about new winter-hardy and disease resistant varieties that are adding to farmers' profits.

Thinking of buying or selling farmland in Manitoba? Think of Ducks Unlimited Canada and its Revolving Land Conservation Program (RLCP). Scott Henowitch from DUC explains why the RLCP is a win-win for conservation and farming, and Boissevain-area farmer Alicia Dyck talks about why she bought two quarter sections of land through the program.

Expert advice on summertime herd management, solar watering systems and electric fencing. Interviews with cattle farmer Trevor Atchison from the Pipestone MB area, Shaun Anderson from PWR Custom Fencing in Virden and retired solar watering system salesman Carl Driedger.

Grow better forages, with tips from a research scientist and a farmer who's been seeding grass for nearly 80 years on two continents! This episode features James Frey from the Parkland Crop Diversification Centre in Roblin and Marris Bos, who farms near Rapid City but learned his trade on the family farm in The Netherlands.

Sod seeding legumes into an existing perennial forage stand is a great way to rejuvenate pastures with low productivity. Find out about best practices and the practical and scientific benefits for sod seeding on your farm. Guest are Mary-Jane Orr from Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives and Cam Ross from Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Representatives from six seed retailers discuss the reasons they want to earn your business. Also, we meet some farmers who know how to grow forage…the winners in DUC’s Top 5 Forage Establishment contest.