With more and more Canadian farmers retiring, fewer people returning to the family farm and a bigger disconnect between rural and urban communities, the reasons for the widening labour gap in Canadian agriculture are diverse. But there is no doubt the gap exists and continues to grow.

As an industry, how do we attract people from other industries? How do we educate the next-generation of Canadian youth on the job opportunities available to them? How do farmers find workers? How do young farmers overcome the barriers to get into operating?

In this episode of Inputs, Kaitlin Berger, editor of Top Crop Manager West, discusses these topics with Jennifer Wright, executive director of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC). The discussion includes the challenges we’re facing when it comes to agriculture labour in Canada, what is being done about it and where the opportunities lie for growing the workforce. It also includes thoughts on barriers, education, automation, technology and more.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you're growing cereals or flax this season, there are a few key diseases to watch, including Fusarium head blight, bacterial leaf streak, pasmo - among others.

In this episode of Inputs, tune in to hear quick tips from Randy Kutcher, professor and plant pathologist at the University of Saskatchewan, on scouting and managing disease.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

It's worth being on guard for invasive pigweeds like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp this coming season. So far, these weeds haven't been discovered in Saskatchewan or Alberta, but they've been slowly creeping up from south of the border.

In this episode of Inputs, Kaitlin Berger, editor of Top Crop Manager West, speaks with Dr. Shaun Sharpe, research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Tune in to hear about his project to raise awareness about these problematic weeds. Sharpe discusses the status of invasive pigweeds in Canada, why they pose a threat and how to mitigate it across the Prairies. He also dives into helpful management strategies for kochia and wild oat this season.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.