Digging In with UFA

Soil means everything. Without healthy soil, you have no crop and without a crop you have no product. Though we understand the importance of crop yield and agricultural output, are we paying enough attention to the soil? As larger format operations boom alongside local family farms, we want to dig in and see just what can be done about giving back to the land. What is the importance of a cover cro...

Farmers and ranchers are facing an unprecedented surge in the Richardson Ground Squirrel population with devastating effects to crops, pasture and farmland. The temporary lift of the nationwide ban on Strychnine in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan has aided in crisis mitigation, but when the ban goes into effect again in 2027, what will farmers and ranchers do to maintain stability knowing full w...

Please note: This episode was recorded in March 2026. The perspectives and forecasts shared reflect the conditions and information available at the time of recording. Given the rapidly evolving global, political, and market environment, circumstances have changed since this episode was recorded. Fuel is what drives us. It's what keeps our machinery running and our product moving. However, in times...

What does the future hold for beef production in Canada? In part two of this two-part episode of Digging In with UFA, we continue digging into beef production, cattle ranching and the myths and realities around the steak on your plate. Comedian, media personality and rancher, Dickson ‘Quick Dick McDick’ Delorme joins cattle rancher, agriculture advocate and blogger, Adrienne Ivey , for a conversat...

Season 2 Episode 2 - Is beef production bad for the environment? Should you feel bad about enjoying a nice, juicy steak? In this episode of Digging In with UFA, we unearth some of the myths and realities of beef production, cattle ranching and public perceptions of one of the world’s most cherished foods. Comedian, media personality and rancher, Dickson ‘Quick Dick McDick’ Delorme joins cattle ran...

Season 2 Episode 1 Did you know women could own cattle before they could vote? In this episode of Digging In with UFA, we learn about the realities, misconceptions and histories of women in agriculture. Joined by beef producer and educator, Josie Pashulka , and rancher and author, Rachel Herbert , we take a look at the reality of women’s roles in Canadian agriculture from generations past to prese...

Welcome to Diggin In With UFA: Season 2 It takes a certain kind of ambition to do what farmers do. Between the hours and the hard labor, to the public scrutiny and bureaucratic maze running, it's not an easy task. While the agriculture industry feeds millions quietly tilling and producing behind the scenes, many forget that our food comes from the hands of real people with real stories. Join us as...

Digging in with UFA - Weather and Agriculture  Farmers rely on some level of predictability. Season over season, being able to forecast a certain amount of rainfall is a more difficult task. Is this something new or, like the farmers and ranchers of generations past, is Mother Nature just keeping us on our toes? This week we are digging in on Weather and Agriculture. Join us for a thought-provokin...

With technology rapidly transforming nearly every sector of production and business worldwide, how is agriculture adapting and integrating these advancements into daily operations? And for those newly entering the sector who have grown up in this technological era, what role will they play in shaping the future of tech in agriculture? This week we are digging in on technology in agriculture. Join...

Digging in with UFA - Family Farm Dynamics and Succession Planning  Planning for the future is tricky. From unexpected life events and the sudden loss of loved ones to maintaining the legacy of a family business, preparing for succession and adapting to life's hurdles is no easy task. This week we are digging into family farm dynamics and succession planning in agriculture. Join us for insightful...

Digging in with UFA - Rural Mental Health On the farm, preparing and protecting yourself from the hazards and dangers associated with the labour of production can be a taxing endeavor.  So much so that we tend to forget about the mental stressors that can creep in. When it comes to mental health, what do advocacy and outreach look like? How deep does the stigma associated with mental health strugg...

Digging in with UFA - Tariffs and Agriculture It’s no surprise that many people feel anxious about the future of trade, especially with the recent implementation of new tariffs. As we examine their real-world impact, a key question emerges: how can agriculture—both large-scale and small-scale—protect itself from the rising costs and prepare for future, unpredictable shifts in global trade? This we...

Digging in with UFA - GMO’s   In the realm of consumer produce and agricultural products, many discussions have been brought to the table about altering the chemical nature of foods. But what exactly is a GMO, and why is there so much concern about its consumption? This week, we delve into genetically modified organisms in agriculture. Join us for insightful discussions with Stuart Smythe, Agri-Fo...

Digging in with UFA - Carbon Tax 2 With many of these topics, it is difficult to navigate or pin down the crux of the conversation in a single podcast episode. For something as impactful and imperative as the carbon tax, we must dig deeper. This week we are digging back in on the carbon tax. Join as we dig to the root of the Carbon Tax with our expert guests: Agricultural Economist, former CO-Op C...

Digging in with UFA - Water and Agriculture Water. Without it, we cannot survive. Within agriculture, it is a marvel how we irrigate, process, collect and distribute, this, the most paramount component of the world's ecosystem. This week we are digging in on water and agriculture. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from Owner and Operator of Chinook Ranch Limited, Stephen Hughes and Genera...

Digging in with UFA - Animal Health and Welfare      From the outside looking in, there are often some big misconceptions about the treatment of animals in agriculture and the implications for the consumer. This week we are digging in on animal health and welfare in agriculture. Join us for insightful conversations featuring Joyce Van Donkersgoed, a dedicated feedlot veterinarian, lead consultant...

Digging in with UFA - The Changing Nature Of Farming When it comes to cost, there are so many variables farmers and ranchers face that, as a consumer, are completely unseen in the process of farm to plate. This week we are digging in on the changing nature and cost of farming. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from Co-Owner and Operations Manager for Grace Feedyards Dorothy Thengs and Man...

Digging in with UFA - Carbon Tax     When we talk about public policy in agriculture, how do we maintain realistic expectations for ranchers and farmers in both the short term and the long term? This week we are digging in on the carbon tax and the conversation between systemic ambition and the realities of agricultural legislature. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from UFA Board of Dire...

Digging in with UFA - Antibiotics and Antimicrobials  For ranchers and farmers, how do you safely mitigate disease among cattle while also maintaining safety for the consumer?  This week we are digging in on antibiotic and antimicrobial use in cattle production. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from Ranching Entrepreneur Ryan Kasko and Cattle Veterinary Expert Dr. Joyce Van Donkersgoed w...

Digging in with UFA - Antibiotics and Antimicrobials  For ranchers and farmers, how do you safely mitigate disease among cattle while also maintaining safety for the consumer?  This week we are digging in on antibiotic and antimicrobial use in cattle production. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from Ranching Entrepreneur Ryan Kasko and Cattle Veterinary Expert Dr. Joyce Van Donkersgoed w...

Digging in with UFA - Fertilizer Emission Reduction Targets As we try our best to do better by the planet, how do we make sure to also do right by those most affected in climate policy? This week we are digging in on Fertilizer Emission Reduction Targets and what it means for the farmers who are most affected. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from Agricultural Advocate Tara Sawyer and Ag...

Digging in with UFA - Fertilizer Emission Reduction Targets As we try our best to do better by the planet, how do we make sure to also do right by those most affected in climate policy? This week we are digging in on Fertilizer Emission Reduction Targets and what it means for the farmers who are most affected. Join as we listen to true blue discussions from Agricultural Advocate Tara Sawyer and Ag...