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.

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.

In this episode, we discuss tools being investigated for future wheat midge control, featuring entomologist researcher Dr. Tyler Wist, from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon. We talk through current pest biology, impacts, and distribution as well as what is currently being researched to assist with future pest control. We discuss what the research looks like and what kind of insights we’ve gained so far.

We speak with Dr. Kelly Turkington (AAFC Lacombe) about late-season diseases. Specifically, we discuss sooty moulds and other disease with similar features. We discuss disease for producers to watch and what management practices help mitigate their impacts.

Explore the issue of wild oat resistance management in Western Canada in this podcast episode, highlighting the work of the Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee. Hear from Dr. Breanne Tidemann (Co-Chair and Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Nathan Eshpeter (Project Manager), and Kelly Boles (Co-Chair and Business Owner at Center Field Solutions Ltd.) as they discuss the committee's formation, achievements, and impact on the industry. Learn about their future plans, resource development, and community initiatives aimed at improving wild oat resistance management. This episode offers valuable information for agronomists and farmers interested in staying informed on resistance management strategies.