The Truth About Ag

Evan and Kristjan welcome Warren Kaeding, third-generation farmer and MLA for Melville-Saltcoats, for a conversation that ties farm life to global trade. Warren shares how his roots in pedigreed seed and recognition through Outstanding Young Farmers shaped his path into politics, and why “engagement, engagement, engagement” is the thread running through both farming and government. The discussion...

This week on The Truth About Ag, we’re tackling the theme “Fear Sells—Who’s Buying?” Evan is joined by Todd Andries, repeat guest Dean Klippenstein, and U.S. farmer Rich Bronec for a wide-ranging roundtable on what’s really happening in agriculture as 2025 winds down. From land transitions and rental opportunities to rising fertilizer costs, shifting rotations, and the reality of cash flow crunche...

In this episode, Evan and Kristjan welcome Leta LaRush, Vice President of Business Management for BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. What follows is a conversation that weaves together agriculture, leadership, innovation, and the realities of life outside of work. Leta explains why it takes as long as twelve years to bring a new agricultural product to market, how regulation and red tape impact i...

Kristjan and Evan sit down with Jace Young, Founder and CEO of Legacy Farmer, to take a hard look at the financial side of agriculture and why it’s so often misunderstood. They talk about why so few people are giving farmers solid financial advice, and how easy it is to misread just how long the rope is when working with the bank. They share their perspective on a big industry problem: banks chasi...

In this episode, Evan sits down with Dallas Simmonds of Raptor Enterprises for his second appearance on the podcast. This time, the conversation goes deeper. Dallas opens up about what it really means to find fulfilment after farming. He reflects on the coaching programs he's taken, the leadership skills he's built, and how his personal definition of success has shifted over time. Together, Evan a...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Evan and Kristjan are joined by two key leaders in Canadian agriculture - Justine Hendricks, CEO of FCC, and Darren Baccus, EVP of Agri-Food, Agribusiness Alliances and FCC Capital. The conversation is anchored in one of the most ambitious investment announcements in Canadian ag history: FCC Capital’s $2 billion commitment to accelerate innovation in agricult...

In this episode, Evan sits down with Kristjan and Jeff to talk about the lead-up to harvest, a time filled with anticipation, preparation, and pressure. They start by comparing planning the night before versus the morning of, and how that small difference can shape the tone of the entire day. The conversation quickly broadens into how harvest has evolved over the last decade, largely due to advanc...

In this episode, Evan sits down with Trent Klarenbach, Special Crops and Grain Marketing Analyst, to dig into one of the most emotionally charged and financially complex topics in agriculture: land.  They unpack a century of Saskatchewan farmland values and debate whether a market correction is overdue. How farmers think, how they’ve evolved, and how the human desire to own land has stayed surpris...

Ben Voss has lived many lives in one: engineer, CEO, global ag-tech leader, and farmer. In this episode, he shares how his career has taken him around the world—everything from orange juice farms in Brazil to dairy operations in Europe—only to circle back to his roots in Saskatchewan. Now splitting his time between leading sales at Raven Industries and working on his family farm, Ben brings a rare...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, we’re joined by Todd Andries, newly minted Chief Operating Officer of Maverick Ag and a long-time leader in ag finance. With more than 25 years in the financial industry and roots in his family’s 2,600-acre farm, Todd brings a blend of boardroom insight and boots-on-the-ground understanding. We talk about what’s really happening in the farm equipment market,...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan and Evan are joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and widely known as The Food Professor. They discuss the complex dynamics shaping Canadian agriculture—from the persistent misunderstandings about farmers and food production, to the political realities of how ag policy actually gets...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag , Evan and Kristjan sit down with Dustin Duncan, former Saskatchewan MLA and cabinet minister, to talk about what it’s really like behind the scenes of provincial politics. Elected at just 26 and serving under both Brad Wall and Scott Moe, Dustin reflects on nearly two decades in public service, shares his thoughts on the current government, and talks candidly...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Evan Shout sits down with Tyler McCann, Managing Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI), for a candid conversation about the state of ag policy in Canada. They start with the role CAPI plays in shaping agri-food dialogue, including the value of its regular newsletter, before diving into the aftermath of Canada’s recent federal election. Th...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Evan and Kristjan sit down with their first repeat guest, Dean Klippenstine, CPA, CA — a Partner and Business Advisor with MNP’s Agriculture team —  for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the financial realities shaping Canadian agriculture today. They explore how national economic trends are influencing farm-level decisions, what the Canadian elect...

What are 417 farmers—each with operations generating over $1 million in revenue—thinking as they head into the 2025 crop year? In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Evan Shout and Kristjan Hebert sit down with Kent Fraser, VP at Stratus Ag Research, to unpack the results of a collaborative survey between the Hebert Group and Stratus. This episode is all about turning data into insight. Evan, Kris...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag , Evan Shout sits down with Shaun Haney, founder of Real Agriculture, to talk about the journey that took him from small-town Alberta to becoming one of the most trusted voices in Canadian ag media. Shaun opens up about his early days growing up in Picture Butte, how being more comfortable in the office than in the cab shaped his path, and why he believes talk...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan and Evan sit down with Lisa Ashton, Agriculture Policy Lead on RBC’s Climate Action Institute Team, to dive into the big questions shaping Canadian agriculture. Lisa shares insights from RBC’s latest reports, including the Food First Report, breaking down why RBC is investing in this research and how they’re gathering ideas to drive success for Canad...

In this engaging episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan and Evan explore agricultural investment with Ben Gordon, CEO and co-founder of Fractal Agriculture. Ben brings his expertise to a wide-ranging discussion on topics crucial for success in both Canadian and US farming sectors. We tackle risk management strategies, the optimal timing for investments, and the complexities surrounding agricultur...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan and Evan sit down with J.P. Gervais, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Impact, and Chief Economist at FCC (Farm Credit Canada), to break down the economic forces shaping the future of agriculture.   As someone who spends his days analyzing trade, policy, and market trends, J.P. brings a wealth of knowledge on how farmers and ag businesses can adap...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan and Evan chat with Leah Olson, Vice President of Customer Experience and Operations at Brilliant Harvest Inc. With a background in agriculture and manufacturing, Leah has led companies through major transitions, turnarounds, and sustainable growth. They discuss how ag innovation has evolved from past generations to today, the role of AI in tackling i...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan and Evan dig into the conversations shaping agriculture's future. They explore the unique value of learning from people outside your immediate industry, as highlighted by programs like TEPAP. The discussion shifts to the importance of preparation and strategy in an industry full of volatility. From investing during good times to planning for what cou...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan Hebert and Evan Shout welcome Kip Tom, an Indiana-based agricultural leader whose career spans decades of hands-on experience, consulting, and innovation. From starting his journey straight out of high school on the family farm to being considered for roles within the U.S. government, Kip brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the table. Togethe...

In episode 19 of The Truth About Ag, Jeff Warkentin, COO of HGV, joins us to talk about what it takes to lead and grow a successful team. We cover everything from the realities of stepping into a family business and why asking tough questions matters, to the importance of separating personal life from business to avoid unnecessary tension. We also dig into Jeff’s day-to-day as COO, what the role r...

In Episode 18 of The Truth About Ag Podcast , Kristjan Hebert and Evan Shout chat with Jordan Kambeitz of Kambeitz Farms, a family operation that’s been growing since 1899. They dive into how building a strong team culture is essential for success and why traceability is becoming non-negotiable in agriculture.  From sharing the farm’s story directly with customers to making smart equipment decisio...

In this episode of The Truth About Ag podcast, co-hosts Kristjan Hebert and Evan Shout sit down with Dean Klippenstine, Partner and Business Advisor with MNP’s Agriculture team. Dean shares insights from his extensive career in agriculture and business, touching on risk management, succession planning, and how collaboration between advisors and producers can unlock growth opportunities. The discus...