Pulse of the Prairies

In this latest podcast episode, SPG's Stuart Lawrence and Clinton Monchuk from Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan dive into why trust in Canada's food system matters—not just for consumers, but for the people behind the food: the farmers.Why transparency mattersHow misinformation can hurt farmsWhat farmers are doing to earn and keep your trustWhether you are a consumer or part of the ag industry—this episode is for you. Listen now and learn why trust is more than a buzzword and core to Canadian agriculture.Learn more about Farm & Food Care SaskatchewanSign up for their Speak Up training and workshopsExplore Saskatchewan Open Farm Days  

In this episode, SPG Director Gerrid Gust is joined by Kyle Larkin from Grain Growers of Canada (GGC). Kyle breaks down the priority issues facing Canadian farmers during the federal election including what the future holds for the carbon tax, capital gains tax, and trade uncertainty.⁠Learn More About GGC's EffortsRead the latest issue of GGC on The Hill

Seeding is just around the corner, but market uncertainties are in full swing. Between threats of U.S. import tariffs swirling about, Indian tariffs on lentils and possible tariffs on peas, and surprise Chinese tariffs on peas, the magnitude of these unstable markets is causing more farmers to reevaluate planting decisions. In this episode, SPG Board Member Shaun Dyrland talks to Chuck Penner, President of LeftField Commodity Research to discuss Statistics Canada's Seeded Area Estimates Report and his insights on the state of pulse markets today.Read Chuck's Pulse Market Report

The 2025 winter pulse meetings have come to a close and we learned lots from leading industry experts on the latest developments in the pulse industry and what growers need to know. In this episode, SPG Agronomy Managers discuss their key takeaways from winter meeting presentations including research in advancing solutions for root rot, the state of herbicide-resistant weeds in Saskatchewan, and seed quality going into this year's production season. Learn more about the work discussed in this episode:RootRot.ca → Aphanomyces Risk Evaluation App (AREA) → Pulse Applied Research & Demonstration (ARD) Program → Herbicide Residues in Saskatchewan → Regional Variety Trial Portal → Pulse Replicated On-Farm Independent Trials (PROFIT) →  To contact Mark or Mike, email agronomy@saskpulse.com

In this episode, SPG Board Member Terry Youzwa interviews Vicki Dutton, the 2024 Pulse Promoter Award winner and a trailblazer in the pulse industry, to discuss her passion for pulses. She discusses the early days of growing pulses in Saskatchewan and offers insight into her vision for the future of sustainable food.

Winter is upon us, and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has several education and networking opportunities available to producers and agronomists in the coming months. In this episode, SPG Agronomy Managers give you a sneak peak of what to expect at the upcoming Pulse Variety Seminar, Winter Pulse Meetings, and Annual General Meeting. To learn more about these events and register, visit SPG's event page.

In this episode SPG's Seed Program Manager chats with Lynnell Pomedli from Seed Source and Ken McDougall from McDougall Acres. They discuss new pulse varieties including chickpeas, lentils, and peas. Are you aware of the regulatory changes coming to the faba bean market? This episode provides essential information for growers about low vicine/convicine (LVC) faba beans and considerations for producing them. 

In this episode, SPG's Executive Director is joined by Kyle Larkin from Grain Growers Canada (GGC) and Brad Blackwell, SPG Director. Their discussion highlights many recent accomplishments and ongoing policy initiatives that GGC focuses on. From the Canada Entrepreneurs' Incentive Program to follow up on the rail strike, learn how GGC is working to advocate for Canadian farmers. Learn more about GGC's efforts: www.protectfamilyfarms.cawww.interswitching.cawww.keepcanadatrading.ca

In this episode, SPG's Director of Research & Development is joined by a panel of experts: SPG Agronomy Manager, Research and Extension Manager with Alberta Pulse Growers, and Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers Executive Director. They discuss new developments in the fight against root rot in pulses, including the Root Rot Task Force, collaboration and new initiatives, significant investments in root rot research, and more. The Root Rot Task Force, consisting of contributors from Alberta Pulse Growers, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, created this online resource for anyone working with pulse crops to learn strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and treating root rot complex. Visit RootRot.ca to learn more.

Pulse harvest is underway in some areas of the province, while others are expected to begin soon. In this episode, SPG's Agronomy Managers, Meagen Reed and Mike Brown, along with SPG summer student Emily Wudrick, discuss how pulses are faring as they make their way to the bin. Additional Resources: Review Harvest Aid Options for Pulses Check the 2024 Product Advisory Try the Pre-Harvest Interval Calculator

Missed our Ag in Motion kick-off breakfast? Catch the conversation in this episode, where RealAgriculture's Shaun Haney hosts a dynamic panel of industry experts to explore the innovative pathways shaping the future of pulse breeding, variety commercialization, and royalties. Hear why building a competitive breeding environment is essential for the pulse industry to remain competitive in Western Canada, learn the facts about this direction, and hear about exciting innovation to make you as producers more profitable through breeding and new variety development.This discussion was recorded live at Ag in Motion on July 16, 2024. Learn more about the future of pulse breeding here.

Statistics Canada published their estimates of principal field crop areas for the year 2024 on June 27. In this episode of the Pulse of the Prairies podcast Jasmine Hanson, SPG's Digital Marketing Manager, interviews Marlene Boersch of Mercantile Consulting Venture to discuss her thoughts on the report and its findings, where global supply and demand are currently sitting, and her marketing advice for producers once the 2024 pulses are in the bin. 

In this episode, SPG Agronomy Manager Meagen Reed talks to Greg Bartley, Director of Crop Protection & Crop Quality with Pulse Canada. Their discussion includes the product advisory guidelines for pulses and the market risks that can arise from using certain crop protection products off-label. Listen to this episode to learn how to keep your pulse crop export-ready.

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 results of Canadian national market development efforts over the past year. Their discussion touches on outcomes such as using peas in pet food, serving lentils on foodservice menus, and developments in end uses for faba bean ingredients such as flour, dairy and dairy alternatives, and protein performance.

Summer is knocking on the door and SPG's Agronomy team has several projects and events keeping them on the road this year. In this latest episode SPG Agronomy Managers Meagen Reed and Mike Brown introduce our 2024 Summer Field Agronomist, Emily Wudrick, and discuss the work she will be doing to monitor pulse fields across Saskatchewan in the coming months. Meagen explains this year's Applied Research & Demonstration projects, Mike details the pulse variety showcases and field scale trials, and Emily tells us about some can't-miss events for pulse producers and agronomists: https://saskpulse.com/events/

In this episode SPG Board Chair, Winston van Staveren, sits down with Brian Innes, Executive Director with Soy Canada, to recap the recently held Soy Canada Northern Soy Summit. Highlights include important dialogue between researchers, growers, exporters, and processors, with discussions focused on improving the perceived value of Canadian soybeans to match the actual value.

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

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.

Winter is upon us, and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has several education and networking opportunities available to producers and agronomists in the coming months. In this episode, Jasmine Hanson and Amanda Carlson of SPG's Marketing & Communications team give you a sneak peak of what to expect at the upcoming Pulse Variety Seminar, Winter Pulse Meetings, and Annual General Meeting. To learn more about these events and register, visit SPG's event page.

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.

As growers start thinking about next production season, SPG Agronomy Managers Meagen Reed and Mike Brown are here with your must-have resources for 2024 planning. Mike explains why inoculants and seed treatments are key to setting next year's pulse crops up for success and what products may be best for your operation. We will also learn how seed and soil tests help evaluate your disease risk and what that means for your rotation decisions. Related Resources Fertility Resources for Pulses →Inoculant Options for Pulse Crops →Seed Treatment Options for Pulse Crops →Why Invest in a Seed Test? →Soil Sampling 101 →Prairie Nutrient Removal Calculator →Aphanomyces Risk Evaluation App (AREA) →

How do you choose which pulse varieties to grow? How do you know which pulses will be best for your soil zone? In this episode, Laurie Friesen, SPG Seed Program Manager chats with Mark Watson from Watson Seeds Limited and breeders Drs. Bunyamin Ta'ran and Tom Warkentin from the Crop Development Centre. They discuss several new pulse varieties available to growers, the benefits of each, and tips on how to select which variety for your farming operation.  Learn more about new pulse varieties here.

Dry conditions across much of Western Canada are resulting in a smaller harvest than was hoped. The reduced yields mean potential export volumes will be lower as well. While the short supplies will generally be supportive for prices, how hard the market will need to work to do the necessary demand rationing will vary by crop. In this episode Jasmine Hanson, SPG's Digital Marketing Manager, interviews Jon Driedger, Vice President of Leftfield Commodity Research to discuss how the results of this year's harvest will impact current pulse markets.  Read Jon's Pulse Market Report for September 2023.

In this episode, SPG's Agronomy Managers, Meagen Reed and Mike Brown, along with SPG summer student Braiden Leppa, discuss how this year's pulse harvest is going here in Saskatchewan. Editor's note: As of August 1, 2023, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has implemented a change so that grasshoppers, other insects, and insect parts are no longer a downgrading factor in lentils and are instead included in dockage. Visit the CGC's website to learn more.

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.

In this episode SPG's Agronomy Managers, Meagen Reed and Mike Brown, discuss the current situation with pulse crops in Saskatchewan including environmental impacts, pest pressures, and disease management. Additional Resources: FUNGICIDE OPTIONS FOR PULSE CROPS → FUNGICIDE INSENSITIVITY IN PULSE CROPS → INSECTICIDE OPTIONS IN 2023→ PRAIRIE PEST MONITORING NETWORK → ADJUVANTS: WHAT THEY DO & HOW THEY DO IT → OPTIMIZING SPRAY APPLICATIONS →

In this episode, SPG's Director of R&D, Sherrilyn Phelps, sits down with Meagen Reed and Michael Brown, SPG's Agronomy Managers. They discuss minor pulse crops such as chickpeas, faba beans, soybeans, dry beans, and more. This episode focuses on what Saskatchewan producers need to know about these minor crops and why growers might consider growing them. Read the latest article on this topic here.

In this episode, SPG's Agronomy Manager, Meagen Reed, sits down with Tom Wolf, a professional agrologist and co-founder of Sprayers101.com, to discuss everything from surfactants and adjuvants to optimizing your spray application. Read the New Fact Sheet on Optimizing Spray Applications Read the New Fact Sheet on Adjuvants

In this episode, SPG's Director of R&D, Sherrilyn Phelps, sits down with Carl Potts, SPG Executive Director and Jason Reinheimer, Head of Cereals and Pulse Research with Limagrain. They discuss the new direction of pulse breeding in Saskatchewan, including an overview of where we have come and where we are headed in the future, as well as an update on one of our new breeding partnerships with Limagrain. Fast Facts about the Future of Pulse Breeding & Pulse Breeding Landscape Fast Facts about SPG's Breeding Partnership with Limagrain

In this episode, SPG's Executive Director, Carl Potts, sits down with Tracy Broughton, Executive Director of SaskCanola and Trent Richards, SPG Chair. They discuss how Saskatchewan's crop commissions come together to advocate on behalf of growers on broad policy issues including grain contracts and carbon policy. Click here to read the article on SaskCrops and collaborative advocacy for growers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Soil testing in the fall is a good way to determine fertility needs for the spring, and the key to a good fertility plan is a representative soil sample. In this episode SPG Agronomy Manager, Sarah Anderson, speaks with Dr. Diane Knight about different soil sampling methods, nutrient management, and how these topics related to your pulse crop. Click here to read our new fact sheet on soil sampling.

In this episode Amanda Carlson, SPG's Communications Manager, discusses the current state of Saskatchewan's pulse harvest season with Sarah Anderson, SPG Agronomy Manager. Sarah provides an update on the 2022 growing season, current harvest progress and the Glyphosate Testing Program newly launched. Learn more about the Harvest Sample Program Learn more about Pulse Canada's Glyphosate Testing Program

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

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, SPG's Agronomy Manager, Sarah Anderson, sits down with Sandy Junek, co-owner and Molecular Lab Manager of Discovery Seed Labs. They discuss everything to do with seed testing, including how testing works, when to test seed, what to expect from test results, as well as trends from the 2021 annual seed survey. Read the latest article on the important of seed testing here.

In this episode, SPG's Director of Research and Development, Sherrilyn Phelps, sits down with the 2021 Pulse Promoter Award winner, Dr. Bunyamin Tar'an, Professor at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre and Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program Chair in Chickpea and Flax Breeding and Genetics. They discuss where Dr. Tar'an's passion for pulses in Saskatchewan started, as well as his challenges and accomplishments in chickpea breeding. Read more about Dr. Tar'an's work here.

This podcast episode features Dr. Chris Willenborg, Associate Professor, Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, and graduate student Amanda Fedorchuk, discussing some of the research objectives of faba bean seeding rate and herbicide considerations for weed control, and outcomes observed thus far from the trials. Read the accompanying research summary here. [Editor's note: in this episode, all rates of active ingredients were measured in grams per hectare.]

In this episode, SPG's Pulse Science Cluster Program Manager, Constance Chiremba, sits down with Mike Nickerson, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Research Chair and Professor with the University of Saskatchewan, James D. House, Professor of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences with the University of Manitoba, Lindsey Boyd, Technologist of Pulse Science Cluster, Cereals Canada, and Elaine Sopiwnyk, Vice-President Technical Services, Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI). The team discusses their research into how processing strategies are being developed for innovative commercially-ready pulse ingredients, and how these processes can achieve pulse flour and protein specifications, with the required functionality and nutritional profiles needed for a wide range of applications like pasta, soups, dips and sauces, pan breads, meat binders, and meat alternatives. The outcomes of this work will result in important technical information for food manufacturers and is a key component in the Canadian pulse industry's goal to diversify and create new markets and new uses for 25% of Canadian pulses by 2025, strengthening the demand for pulse ingredients and growers' crops into high value markets. Read the accompanying article here.

In this episode, SPG's Agronomy Manager Sarah Anderson is joined by Agronomy Extension Specialists from SaskWheat and SaskCanola, Haley Tetreault and Kaeley Kindrachuk, to host a collaborative discussion on herbicide carryover with Provincial Specialist in Weed Control, Clark Brenzil. Listen now to learn more about the risks and considerations pertaining to herbicide carryover, and read our new article on the topic at SaskPulse.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.