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Pulse of the Prairies

Pulse of the Prairies

By Saskatchewan Pulse Growers

Welcome to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers' monthly podcast, Pulse of the Prairies, where each month we immerse ourselves in the topics that are important to pulse crop farmers. SPG will be chatting with pulse industry experts covering areas from market opportunities to market access and trade policy, innovative agronomic approaches to transportation, and everything in between.
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Keep Your Crops Export Ready

Pulse of the PrairiesJun 20, 2022

00:00
35:42
Winter Pulse Meeting Recap

Winter Pulse Meeting Recap

The 2024 Winter Pulse Meetings have concluded but there are still opportunities to catch all the latest updates related to pulse agronomy, breeding and varieties, herbicide resistance, and disease management. In this episode SPG Agronomy Managers, Mike Brown and Meagen Reed, catch up with this year's presenters to discuss their areas of expertise:

  • Agronomy for Lentils: Residual nitrogen ongoing project & lentil input study – Chris Holzapfel, Research Manager, Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation (IHARF)
  • Agronomy for Chickpeas: Key takeaways & learnings from trials – Amber Wall, Research Technician, Wheatland Conservation Area
  • Managing Herbicide Resistance – Martin Carr, Agronomy Manager, WinField United
  • Chickpea Plant Health Update – Dr. Michelle Hubbard, Research Scientist Pulse Pathology, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
  • Root Rot: Current situation & discussion on projects – Dr. Syama Chatterton, Plant Pathologist, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and Dr. Sabine Banniza, Professor of Plant Pathology, Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan
  • Limagrain Breeding Program Update – Lorena Pahl, Commercial Product Development Manager, Limagrain Cereal Seeds
Feb 16, 202459:41
2023 Pulse Promoter

2023 Pulse Promoter

In this episode SPG Board Member, Stuart Lawrence, sits down with the 2023 Pulse Promoter Award winner, Eric Johnson, retired weed and pulse scientist and agronomist, to discuss the impact Eric's career has had on pulse production. He offers insight into what the future may hold for weed control in pulses, and what innovations the future needs to achieve.

Jan 10, 202431:52
Winter Event Roundup
Dec 14, 202305:27
Why to Consider an Alternative Pulse Crop for 2024

Why to Consider an Alternative Pulse Crop for 2024

As growers start thinking about next production season, it may be worth considering some alternative pulse crops with a lower risk of Aphanomyces root rot. SPG Agronomy Managers Meagen Reed and Mike Brown discuss the benefits of growing small & minor acre pulses and the value they can provide to your crop rotation. Meagen explains why now is a great time to consider growing an alternative pulse crop and what regions might benefit from experimenting with soybeans, chickpeas, faba beans, or dry beans in 2024.

Nov 28, 202319:05
2024 Pulse Crop Planning Considerations
Nov 23, 202318:40
Breeders & Select Seed Grower Discuss New Pulse Varieties
Oct 25, 202330:49
Pulse Market Update with Jon Driedger
Sep 15, 202321:03
Saskatchewan Pulse Harvest Update
Aug 02, 202327:10
Pulse Market Development Outcomes & Results

Pulse Market Development Outcomes & Results

In this episode Amber Johnson, SPG’s Director of Marketing & Communications, is joined by Dr. Julianne Curran, Vice President, Market Innovation at Pulse Canada, to discuss the Canadian pulse industry’s recent market development efforts and the latest outcomes and results of this important work.

Jul 12, 202330:00
Saskatchewan Pulse Production Update
Jun 14, 202323:21
Update on Minor Pulse Crops in Saskatchewan
May 26, 202328:25
Optimizing Spray Applications
May 12, 202335:56
Pulse Breeding Update
Apr 18, 202324:07
Raising Farmers’ Voices: Collaborations among Saskatchewan crop commissions
Mar 15, 202316:20
Pulse Market Update

Pulse Market Update

In this episode, SPG’s Executive Director, Carl Potts, sits down with Marlene Boersch, owner and managing partner at Mercantile Consulting Venture Inc. They discuss the market outlook for pulse crops including lentil, pea, and chickpea.

Jan 25, 202331:38
2022 Pulse Promoter

2022 Pulse Promoter

In this episode, SPG’s Executive Director, Carl Potts, sits down with the 2022 Pulse Promoter Award winner, Gordon Bacon, CEO Emeritus at Pulse Canada and Director, Food Systems for Global Pulse Confederation. They discuss some of Gordon’s achievements and best memories of his time working in the pulse industry.

Jan 09, 202334:35
Product Recall in Western Canada

Product Recall in Western Canada

There have been recent lambda-cyhalothrin label changes and subsequent product recalls for Western Canada. In this latest podcast episode Sarah Anderson, Agronomy Manager with SPG chats with Greg Bartley, Director of Crop Protection and Crop Quality with Pulse Canada about how these changes will impact pulse growers.

Dec 20, 202214:42
New Pulse Varieties with Select Seed Growers

New Pulse Varieties with Select Seed Growers

Choosing the right varieties for your growing region is important. With new pulse varieties being developed and released, there is increased opportunity to try something new in your rotation. In this latest podcast episode Laurie Friesen, Seed Program Manager with SPG chats with Nick Petruic of Petruic Seed Company and Brad Tomtene from Tomtene Seed Farm about new varieties, performance, and what they are excited to see going into the ground in 2023.

Dec 13, 202236:44
Meet Your 2022 Board Election Candidates

Meet Your 2022 Board Election Candidates

Voting has opened for SPG’s Board of Directors election. In this special podcast episode, we are airing interviews held with all five nominees so you can learn more about the candidates before casting your vote. Interviews were conducted by Neil Billinger, Agriculture Director of CJWW Radio on SPG's behalf. Tune in to learn more about the candidates and don't forget to cast your vote by November 30, 2022.

Read candidate bios here.

Growers will receive a voter package that will include a six-digit ID number, which is required for the electronic voting process. Voter packages will be mailed to registered pulse growers* in late October in a bright green envelope. Voting will open at 8:00 AM CST on November 1 at www.saskpulsevotes.com, remaining open until 4:30 PM CST on November 30. If growers prefer to vote with a paper ballot, the voter package will provide contact information to request a mail-in ballot.

Important Dates:

  • November 1, 2022 – Voting opens at 8:00 AM CST at www.saskpulsevotes.com
  • November 30, 2022 – Voting closes at 4:30 PM CST
  • January 9, 2023 – Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Annual General Meeting

*A registered pulse grower is someone who has sold a pulse crop and paid levy to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers at any time since September 1, 2019.

Nov 01, 202214:14
Soil Sampling & Nutrient Management for Pulses
Sep 13, 202243:49
Saskatchewan Pulse Harvest Update
Aug 11, 202217:07
SPG & Limagrain Field Seeds' New Pulse Breeding Collaboration

SPG & Limagrain Field Seeds' New Pulse Breeding Collaboration

SPG & Limagrain Field Seeds are excited to announce a new collaboration for Pulse breeding in Saskatchewan. This new collaboration has a strong commercial focus and will bring new and additional investment into Pea and Lentil breeding locally in Saskatchewan, increasing competition, and creating a strong environment to foster innovation. In this episode Shaun Dyrland, SPG Chair, & Jason Reinheimer, Limagrain Field Seeds Head of Research for Cereals & Pulses, share more about the newly announced Pulse Breeding Collaboration including principles, priorities, and technology.

Read more about this announcement: https://saskpulse.com/news-events/news/saskatchewan-pulse-growers-and-limagrain-field-seeds-forge-a-new-path-in-pl
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/AHq6hBEPAEg

Jul 19, 202224:43
Keep Your Crops Export Ready

Keep Your Crops Export Ready

In this episode SPG’s Agronomy Manager, Sarah Anderson, talks to Greg Bartley, Director of Crop Protection & Crop Quality with Pulse Canada. Their discussion covers the 2022 Keep it Clean! Campaign including what growers need to know to keep their crops export-ready and updates to maximum residue limits.

Jun 20, 202235:42
Update on 25% by 2025 Market Development Strategy with Pulse Canada

Update on 25% by 2025 Market Development Strategy with Pulse Canada

In this episode Amber Johnson, SPG’s Director of Marketing & Communications, sits down with Dr. Julianne Curran, Vice President of Market Innovation with Pulse Canada. They discuss the Canadian pulse industry’s 25% x 2025 market development strategy and provide an update on how those goals are progressing.

May 09, 202224:53
Agronomic Outlook for Pulses

Agronomic Outlook for Pulses

In this episode Amanda Carlson, Communications Manager with SPG sits down with Sarah Anderson, Agronomy Manager with SPG. Sarah provides an on-farm agronomic outlook for pulses and what growers need to know as they prep for the 2022 seeding season.

Apr 13, 202217:52
Seed Testing 101
Feb 14, 202223:54
2021 Pulse Promoter
Jan 10, 202233:35
Diving into the Faba Bean Weed Research Program & Outcomes
Dec 22, 202125:55
Processing Technologies for Pulses
Nov 15, 202121:50
Herbicide Carryover Risks & Considerations
Oct 29, 202146:49
Meet Your Newly Acclaimed SPG Board Members

Meet Your Newly Acclaimed SPG Board Members

This episode features SPG’s Executive Director Carl Potts interviewing Shaun Dyrland who is returning for his second term on the board, Trent Richards who is returning for his third term, and new board member Mario Gaudet. Learn more about each of the members including why they chose to become involved with the board and what challenges and opportunities they see for Saskatchewan pulse growers.

Oct 12, 202115:35
Pulse Harvest & International Demand Update

Pulse Harvest & International Demand Update

This episode features SPG’s Agronomy Manager Sarah Anderson, Shaun Dyrland, SK pulse grower and SPG Board Chair, and Judy Elias, Operations Supervisor for the Canadian Grain Commission. They discuss the key considerations for selling pulse crops.

As well, Amber Johnson, SPG’s Director of Marketing & Communications speaks with Jon Driedger, Vice President with LeftField Commodity Research, about how the Canadian pulse market fared this season, and what the future holds for global demand for Canadian pulses.

Sep 10, 202147:12
2021 Pulse Production Update

2021 Pulse Production Update

In this episode, SPG’s new Agronomy Manager Sarah Anderson discusses how pulse production has fared so far this growing season, highlighting what growers should watch for when scouting, and touches on pre-harvest intervals and harvest aid products for pulses.

Jul 16, 202117:21
How Pulse Processing Continues to Expand and Evolve in Western Canada

How Pulse Processing Continues to Expand and Evolve in Western Canada

Capacity and demand for Canadian pulse ingredients and fractions continues to expand in Western Canada. In this episode we dive into current and future processing capacity, specific market categories showing particular promise, interesting collaborative projects to fast-track the entire industry, and what growers should keep in mind to sell into and capitalize on these opportunities with a dynamic panel including Julianne Curran, Vice President of Market Innovation at Pulse Canada, Dominique Baumann, CEO at Roquette Canada, Dan Kraft, Vice President of Operations at Merit Functional Foods, and Murad Al-Katib, CEO at AGT Food & Ingredients.

Jun 07, 202156:32
2021 Seeded Acre Intentions and Global Pulse Outlook

2021 Seeded Acre Intentions and Global Pulse Outlook

With seeding well underway to nearly complete in Saskatchewan, Andrea Lauder, Communications Manager with SPG sat down with Marlene Boersch from Mercantile Consulting Venture Inc. to talk about what seeded acres look like for the province, and how production will fit into global demand for pulses over the next few months.

May 17, 202123:30
Pea Fertility Research Examines Yield and Protein Enhancements
Apr 14, 202143:08
Pulse Canada CEO Gordon Bacon Stepping Aside

Pulse Canada CEO Gordon Bacon Stepping Aside

In this episode Carl Potts, Executive Director with SPG sits down with outgoing Pulse Canada CEO Gordon Bacon. Over his 23+ years with Pulse Canada, Gordon has had a front row view of the growth and change that pulses have seen, to the booming industry it is today. Listen to his memories of where the pulse industry began, and hear his thoughts on where they could go in the future.

Apr 08, 202133:16
Weed Control Strategies for Pulses

Weed Control Strategies for Pulses

When it comes to weed management, we know that pulses are poor competitors. In this latest podcast episode, Sherrilyn Phelps, Agronomy Manager with SPG chats with Dr. Shaun Sharpe, Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon about his research into integrated weed management strategies including soil residual herbicides, cultural control strategies, and managing weed seed shed.

Mar 10, 202128:16
Lentil Genomic Research Benefits Saskatchewan Growers
Feb 10, 202121:57
2020 Pulse Promoters
Jan 13, 202116:12
New Pulse Varieties
Dec 14, 202044:49
Chickpea Plant Health Update
Dec 01, 202033:21
Meet Your 2020 Board Election Candidates

Meet Your 2020 Board Election Candidates

In this special podcast episode, we are airing interviews held with all six nominees for Saskatchewan Pulse Growers' Board of Directors election which is currently open for voting. Interviews were conducted by Neil Billinger, Agriculture Director of CJWW Radio on SPG's behalf. Tune in to learn more about the candidates and don't forget to cast your vote by November 30, 2020.

Oct 23, 202020:22
Predicting Root Rot Risk Into 2021
Oct 22, 202034:15
Pulse Market Overview

Pulse Market Overview

Demand for pulses during the 2020 growing season have been quite strong and in this podcast episode Andrea Lauder, Communications Manager chats with Chuck Penner of LeftField Commodity Research about how likely demand for Canadian pulses will continue to be, what impact the market in India will have on demand, and what market opportunities growers should watch for. 

Sep 30, 202027:43
Pulse Harvest 2020: A Break-Down

Pulse Harvest 2020: A Break-Down

Harvest across Saskatchewan has been progressing at a rapid rate due in large part to the hot, dry weather we experienced in August. In this podcast Sherrilyn Phelps, Agronomy Manager talks with John Ippolito, Crops Extension Specialist, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in the Kindersley area about how pulse harvest has looked so far this year, what tips to keep in mind when storing pulse crops, and what important harvest aid considerations growers should be aware of during the harvest season. 

Sep 11, 202024:35
Saskatchewan Lentils Build Better U.S. Beef Burgers

Saskatchewan Lentils Build Better U.S. Beef Burgers

In a recent research study led by Pulse Canada and supported by SPG it was found that substituting beef burgers with 1/3 lentils benefited overall environmental footprint and nutritional content at a reduced cost. In this podcast episode Amber Johnson, Director of Marketing and Communications chats with Denis Tremorin, Director, Sustainability with Pulse Canada about the ways this research can not only support but also drive growth in pulse demand by the processing and foodservice sectors.

Aug 10, 202022:03
Supporting Mental Health in Agriculture

Supporting Mental Health in Agriculture

Mental health has become a more prominent topic in the agriculture community. The Do More Ag Foundation has been working to reduce the stigma of mental health and to provide producers with resources they may need. In this episode Amber Johnson, Director of Marketing and Communications chats with co-founder Lesley Kelly about how Do More Ag came to be, the importance of the Foundation to her personally and professionally, and the ways the Foundation is growing their resources to help support producers across the country. 

Jul 13, 202031:37
The Future of Pulse Breeding in Saskatchewan
Jun 15, 202032:31
Pulse Protein, Processing, and Ingredient Research

Pulse Protein, Processing, and Ingredient Research

Dr. Michael Nickerson, Professor and Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program (SRP) Chair in Protein Quality and Utilization at the University of Saskatchewan chats with Dr. Constance Chiremba, Pulse Science Cluster Program Manager with SPG about his research into protein composition of pulses, processing capabilities for pulse crops, and future areas of growth for pulse-based proteins in today's food ingredient market. 

May 11, 202015:37