Protect and Profit: Farming for the Future Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:22:16 -0500 http://ag.ducks.ca en-us © 2026 Ducks Unlimited Canada yes 6b592457-46e4-5052-9f81-b85b4d066b19 Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba episodic false Make your farm more productive and more sustainable! 'Protect and Profit: Farming for the Future' provides information and tips from agrology experts, research scientists, farmers and ranchers. 

Topics include maximizing rangeland and pastures, growing good forage, solving issues with marginal acres including salinity and weeds, buying and selling land, winter wheat as a cash crop, sod seeding to increase productivity and protecting land through conservation easements.

Produced by Ducks Unlimited Canada and hosted by Glen Kirby.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Protect and Profit: Farming for the Future, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Manitoba, farming, sustainability, cattle, crops, farmer Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba https://storage.buzzsprout.com/8zjeg27ag8ieexzg1qmxtqqlg6l2?.jpg Protect and Profit: Farming for the Future http://ag.ducks.ca Glen Kirby 2026 02 February - Solutions to Marginal Cropland 2026 02 February - Solutions to Marginal Cropland In western Canada, about one in every five acres is considered to be marginal cropland. Half those acres likely lose money every year when seeded to wheat or canola. We’ll hear solutions from ag researchers and farmers including Clayton Robins from Rivers, Manitoba, on ways to turn money-sinks into revenue-producing acres.

]]> In western Canada, about one in every five acres is considered to be marginal cropland. Half those acres likely lose money every year when seeded to wheat or canola. We’ll hear solutions from ag researchers and farmers including Clayton Robins from Rivers, Manitoba, on ways to turn money-sinks into revenue-producing acres.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-18701143 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0600 2471 marginal acres, forages, Dr. Samuel Robinson, Institute for Wetlands and Waterfowl Research, Daniel Stefner, Olds College, Clayton Robins, Nuffield Scholar, cattle Daniel 2 10 full false 2026 01 January - Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association 2026 01 January - Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association Zack Koscielny is the newly-elected board chair for the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association. The entire board executive is comprised of farmers 30 years of age or younger. Koscielny lays out his vision for the MFGA, which promotes the economic prosperity and environmental benefits of forages, grasslands, cover crops and healthy soils.

]]> Zack Koscielny is the newly-elected board chair for the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association. The entire board executive is comprised of farmers 30 years of age or younger. Koscielny lays out his vision for the MFGA, which promotes the economic prosperity and environmental benefits of forages, grasslands, cover crops and healthy soils.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-18555347 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:00:00 -0600 1838 Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association, Zack Koscielny, Regen Ag, regenerative agriculture 2 9 full false 2025 12 December - Program Participation 2025 12 December - Program Participation Governments and conservation groups in western Canada want to give farmers and ranchers both money and agronomic help. Problem is, most farmers don’t know about those programs or they couldn’t be bothered. Researcher Elisabeta Lika from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute  (CAPI) looked into why on-farm conservation programming in Canada has such low uptake.

]]> Governments and conservation groups in western Canada want to give farmers and ranchers both money and agronomic help. Problem is, most farmers don’t know about those programs or they couldn’t be bothered. Researcher Elisabeta Lika from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute  (CAPI) looked into why on-farm conservation programming in Canada has such low uptake.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-18386577 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0600 2008 Elisabeta Lika, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, CAPI, farm program, farmland conservation, farm incentives 2 8 full false 2025 11 November - Regen Ag Conference 2025 11 November - Regen Ag Conference Each November, farmers and ranchers gather in Brandon MB for the annual Regen Ag Conference. 2025 keynote speaker Tom Krawiec talks about his book ‘Ranching like a 12 year old’ and his presentation ‘Grazing in the Sweet Spot’. A rancher, farm management consultant and author, Tom has developed ways to simplify daily duties on the farm to increase profitability and decrease labour.

]]> Each November, farmers and ranchers gather in Brandon MB for the annual Regen Ag Conference. 2025 keynote speaker Tom Krawiec talks about his book ‘Ranching like a 12 year old’ and his presentation ‘Grazing in the Sweet Spot’. A rancher, farm management consultant and author, Tom has developed ways to simplify daily duties on the farm to increase profitability and decrease labour.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-18191533 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0600 2267 2 7 full false 2025 10 October - Farmland Prices 2025 10 October - Farmland Prices Farmland prices continue to rise on the prairies. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) shows a double-digit jump in one province over the past six months. Great if you’re cashing out but not so great if you’re starting up or trying to expand your existing operation. The latest figures and analysis from FCC's Leigh Anderson plus a perspective from University of Regina researcher Andre Magnan on the trend to fewer, larger farms in western Canada.

]]> Farmland prices continue to rise on the prairies. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) shows a double-digit jump in one province over the past six months. Great if you’re cashing out but not so great if you’re starting up or trying to expand your existing operation. The latest figures and analysis from FCC's Leigh Anderson plus a perspective from University of Regina researcher Andre Magnan on the trend to fewer, larger farms in western Canada.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-18063652 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2405 farmland prices, value, Farm Credit Canada FCC, Leigh Anderson, University of Regina UR, Andre Magnan, Concentration Matters: Farmland Inequality on the Prairies, Scott Henowitch, Revolving Land Conservation Program 2 6 full false 2025 08 August - Marginal Areas 2025 08 August - Marginal Areas New research estimates farms in western Canada contain 7.5 million acres of marginal acres. Those acres are too wet, weedy or saline to produce a good crop, yet many farmers continue to spend money year-after-year on input costs with little to no return. Research scientist Sam Robinson explains the problem and provides a solution. Also Saskatchewan farmer Charles Murfin discusses his approach to rehabilitating marginal acres.

]]> New research estimates farms in western Canada contain 7.5 million acres of marginal acres. Those acres are too wet, weedy or saline to produce a good crop, yet many farmers continue to spend money year-after-year on input costs with little to no return. Research scientist Sam Robinson explains the problem and provides a solution. Also Saskatchewan farmer Charles Murfin discusses his approach to rehabilitating marginal acres.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-17711856 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:00:00 -0500 2593 marginal acres, salinity, weeds, canola, wheat, losses, Sam Robinson, IWWR, Charles Murfin, Gainsborough SK 2 5 full false 2025 07 July - Dry Conditions 2025 07 July - Dry Conditions Despite record prices for beef, the weather is causing some Manitoba cattle producers to sound the alarm. Carson Callum from the Manitoba Beef Producers and agriculture meteorology specialist Alison Sass from the Manitoba government provide their insights.

]]> Despite record prices for beef, the weather is causing some Manitoba cattle producers to sound the alarm. Carson Callum from the Manitoba Beef Producers and agriculture meteorology specialist Alison Sass from the Manitoba government provide their insights.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-17521524 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2504 drought, dry conditions, beef, cattle, Carson Callum, Alison Sass, Manitoba Beef Producers, weather 2 4 full false 2025 06 June - Grazing Clubs 2025 06 June - Grazing Clubs When you’re farming, some of the best advice can come from a neighbour who has already faced the same challenge and figured out a winning solution.

Building on that idea, Ducks Unlimited Canada introduced the Grazing Club program in 1999, bringing together livestock producers to learn from one another on how to make their farms more profitable and sustainable.

There’s no fee. Events include on-farm demonstrations and guest speakers.

On this podcast, a Manitoba farmer explains why he got involved and how it’s benefitted his operation. Also hear from the provincial coordinator for the program and the man who started it all.

]]> When you’re farming, some of the best advice can come from a neighbour who has already faced the same challenge and figured out a winning solution.

Building on that idea, Ducks Unlimited Canada introduced the Grazing Club program in 1999, bringing together livestock producers to learn from one another on how to make their farms more profitable and sustainable.

There’s no fee. Events include on-farm demonstrations and guest speakers.

On this podcast, a Manitoba farmer explains why he got involved and how it’s benefitted his operation. Also hear from the provincial coordinator for the program and the man who started it all.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-17331576 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2292 Grazing Clubs, Mike Thiele, Ken Gross, Cam Hodgins, Lenore Manitoba 2 3 full false 2025 05 May - Lake Winnipeg Basin Program 2025 05 May - Lake Winnipeg Basin Program Lake Winnipeg is one of the world’s largest freshwater bodies and farmers have a lead role in helping to clean up this important lake. A multi-year project is finding options to reduce the amount of agricultural products which seep into the lake and cause disruptive algae. The project is designed to benefit the lake, farmers and the seven million people who live within the Lake Winnipeg basin.

]]> Lake Winnipeg is one of the world’s largest freshwater bodies and farmers have a lead role in helping to clean up this important lake. A multi-year project is finding options to reduce the amount of agricultural products which seep into the lake and cause disruptive algae. The project is designed to benefit the lake, farmers and the seven million people who live within the Lake Winnipeg basin.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-17176533 Fri, 16 May 2025 13:00:00 -0500 1494 Lake Winnipeg Basin Program, Government of Canada, Manitoba government, Blair Geisel, potato farmers, algae bloom 2 2 full false 2025 04 April - Avian Influenza 2025 04 April - Avian Influenza Avian influenza, or the bird flu, is affecting and infecting people and animals in many countries…including Canada. To separate fact from fiction on the H5N1 strain is Dr. Matt Dyson, a research scientist with the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research.

]]> Avian influenza, or the bird flu, is affecting and infecting people and animals in many countries…including Canada. To separate fact from fiction on the H5N1 strain is Dr. Matt Dyson, a research scientist with the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-16976073 Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0500 1932 Avian influenza, bird flu, H5N1, Dr. Matt Dyson, Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (IWWR) 2 1 full false 2025 03 March - Conservation Agreements 2025 03 March - Conservation Agreements Conserving land can be a big decision. June Cowan, a third-generation farmer from Elkhorn Manitoba, explains why conserving her family farm was important…both morally and financially. And Kylie Plett from Ducks Unlimited Canada explains how the process works, the benefits of conserving land and how payment is determined.

]]> Conserving land can be a big decision. June Cowan, a third-generation farmer from Elkhorn Manitoba, explains why conserving her family farm was important…both morally and financially. And Kylie Plett from Ducks Unlimited Canada explains how the process works, the benefits of conserving land and how payment is determined.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-16788380 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:00:00 -0500 1769 Protect and Profit, conservation agreement, easement, June Cowan, Elkhorn Manitoba, Kylie Plett, Ducks Unlimited Canada 1 12 full false 2025 02 February - Establishing Forage 2025 02 February - Establishing Forage Establishing a successful forage crop depends on a number of variables. Luck should not be one. On this episode, tips for getting that great forage catch from the winning farmers in Ducks Unlimited Canada's Top 5 Forage Establishment competition. Also, Joseph Gardiner from Covers & Co talks about forage and soil health.

]]> Establishing a successful forage crop depends on a number of variables. Luck should not be one. On this episode, tips for getting that great forage catch from the winning farmers in Ducks Unlimited Canada's Top 5 Forage Establishment competition. Also, Joseph Gardiner from Covers & Co talks about forage and soil health.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-16612585 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:00:00 -0600 2216 Protect and Profit, forage establishment, growing forage, Top 5 Forage Establishment competition, Bridgeman Land & Livestock, Bill and Nina Cowan, Ekford Ranch, Blaine Van Damme, Greg Wesley, Alex Griffiths 1 11 full false 2025 01 January - Planned Giving 2025 01 January - Planned Giving Efforts to cure cancer, fight against hunger or conserve natural habitat all come at a price. As Canada’s largest conservation group and a registered charity, Ducks Unlimited Canada relies on financial gifts to support its efforts. Heather Gray talks about why she is leaving DUC something in her will and Kathryne Cardwell explains options for planned giving.

]]> Efforts to cure cancer, fight against hunger or conserve natural habitat all come at a price. As Canada’s largest conservation group and a registered charity, Ducks Unlimited Canada relies on financial gifts to support its efforts. Heather Gray talks about why she is leaving DUC something in her will and Kathryne Cardwell explains options for planned giving.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-16443530 Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0600 1991 Protect and Profit, Ducks Unlimited Canada, DUC, planned giving, gifts, wills, Heather Gray, Kathryne Cardwell, Feather Society 1 10 full false 2024 12 December - Habitat Asset Management 2024 12 December - Habitat Asset Management Cam Dodds remembers when Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) constructed a dam on his family's farm in the 1950s; one of 240 DUC structures in Manitoba that preserve wetlands. He shares those childhood memories and talks about collaborating with DUC in 2024 to refurbish that dam. Also, Zane Zondervan from DUC discusses the operation and upkeep of those many water control structures.

]]> Cam Dodds remembers when Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) constructed a dam on his family's farm in the 1950s; one of 240 DUC structures in Manitoba that preserve wetlands. He shares those childhood memories and talks about collaborating with DUC in 2024 to refurbish that dam. Also, Zane Zondervan from DUC discusses the operation and upkeep of those many water control structures.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-16270452 Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0600 2698 Protect and Profit, Cameron Dodds, Kenton MB, habitat asset management, dams, water control, cattle, 1 9 full false 2024 11 November - Wetland Restoration 2024 11 November - Wetland Restoration Drained wetlands are a common site on prairie farms, despite science showing sloughs and marshes can provide many benefits including groundwater filtration, flood and drought mitigation, and habit for birds and animals. 

Fortunately, in many cases, a wetland can be restored to its previous function simply by plugging the drain.

Hear from a Manitoba farmer about why he restored 70 acres of wetlands and a wetlands researcher about the on-farm and environmental benefits.

]]> Drained wetlands are a common site on prairie farms, despite science showing sloughs and marshes can provide many benefits including groundwater filtration, flood and drought mitigation, and habit for birds and animals. 

Fortunately, in many cases, a wetland can be restored to its previous function simply by plugging the drain.

Hear from a Manitoba farmer about why he restored 70 acres of wetlands and a wetlands researcher about the on-farm and environmental benefits.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-16129770 Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:00:00 -0600 1850 Protect and Profit, wetland restoration, Pascal Badiou, Jason DeSpiegelaere, Bruxelles Manitoba, Jana Picard, drained, 1 8 full false 2024 10 October - Marginal Areas 2024 10 October - Marginal Areas Most farms in western Canada contain land that is too weedy, wet or saline to produce a good crop. The impact on a farm's bottom line can be significant. Find out what causes those marginal patches and how you can get those acres rehabilitated and productive. Interviews with research scientist Sam Robinson, farm production expert Elmer Kaskiw and Ducks Unlimited Canada agronomist Charlotte Crawley.

]]> Most farms in western Canada contain land that is too weedy, wet or saline to produce a good crop. The impact on a farm's bottom line can be significant. Find out what causes those marginal patches and how you can get those acres rehabilitated and productive. Interviews with research scientist Sam Robinson, farm production expert Elmer Kaskiw and Ducks Unlimited Canada agronomist Charlotte Crawley.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-15885486 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:00:00 -0500 2336 marginal acres, areas, salinity, weeds, research scientist Sam Robinson, IWWR, Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, farm production expert Elmer Kaskiw, agronomist Charlotte Crawley. 1 7 full false 2024 09 September - Winter Wheat 2024 09 September - Winter Wheat Winter wheat has proven to be a high-yielding and high-earning crop. This episode explores the winter wheat advantage with Manitoba Agriculture's cereal grains expert, a Manitoba seed retailer and DUC's winter wheat specialist. Learn about best practices for seeding and nitrogen fixing, plus hear about new winter-hardy and disease resistant varieties that are adding to farmers' profits.

]]> Winter wheat has proven to be a high-yielding and high-earning crop. This episode explores the winter wheat advantage with Manitoba Agriculture's cereal grains expert, a Manitoba seed retailer and DUC's winter wheat specialist. Learn about best practices for seeding and nitrogen fixing, plus hear about new winter-hardy and disease resistant varieties that are adding to farmers' profits.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-15748086 Fri, 13 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0500 2464 Protect and Profit, winter wheat, Anne Kirk, Jake Ayre, Alex Griffiths, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Southern Seeds 1 6 full false 2024 08 August - Buying and Selling Land 2024 08 August - Buying and Selling Land Thinking of buying or selling farmland in Manitoba? Think of Ducks Unlimited Canada and its Revolving Land Conservation Program (RLCP). Scott Henowitch from DUC explains why the RLCP is a win-win for conservation and farming, and Boissevain-area farmer Alicia Dyck talks about why she bought two quarter sections of land through the program.

]]> Thinking of buying or selling farmland in Manitoba? Think of Ducks Unlimited Canada and its Revolving Land Conservation Program (RLCP). Scott Henowitch from DUC explains why the RLCP is a win-win for conservation and farming, and Boissevain-area farmer Alicia Dyck talks about why she bought two quarter sections of land through the program.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-15578933 Tue, 13 Aug 2024 16:00:00 -0500 2385 1 5 full false 2024 07 July - Rangeland 2024 07 July - Rangeland Expert advice on summertime herd management, solar watering systems and electric fencing. Interviews with cattle farmer Trevor Atchison from the Pipestone MB area, Shaun Anderson from PWR Custom Fencing in Virden and retired solar watering system salesman Carl Driedger.

]]> Expert advice on summertime herd management, solar watering systems and electric fencing. Interviews with cattle farmer Trevor Atchison from the Pipestone MB area, Shaun Anderson from PWR Custom Fencing in Virden and retired solar watering system salesman Carl Driedger.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-15328860 Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0500 3151 1 4 full false 2024 06 June - Forage 2024 06 June - Forage Grow better forages, with tips from a research scientist and a farmer who's been seeding grass for nearly 80 years on two continents! This episode features James Frey from the Parkland Crop Diversification Centre in Roblin and Marris Bos, who farms near Rapid City but learned his trade on the family farm in The Netherlands.

]]> Grow better forages, with tips from a research scientist and a farmer who's been seeding grass for nearly 80 years on two continents! This episode features James Frey from the Parkland Crop Diversification Centre in Roblin and Marris Bos, who farms near Rapid City but learned his trade on the family farm in The Netherlands.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-15224710 Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0500 2256 1 3 full false 2024 05 May - Sod Seeding 2024 05 May - Sod Seeding Sod seeding legumes into an existing perennial forage stand is a great way to rejuvenate pastures with low productivity. Find out about best practices and the practical and scientific benefits for sod seeding on your farm. Guest are Mary-Jane Orr from Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives and Cam Ross from Ducks Unlimited Canada.

]]> Sod seeding legumes into an existing perennial forage stand is a great way to rejuvenate pastures with low productivity. Find out about best practices and the practical and scientific benefits for sod seeding on your farm. Guest are Mary-Jane Orr from Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives and Cam Ross from Ducks Unlimited Canada.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-15067467 Tue, 14 May 2024 11:00:00 -0500 1592 1 2 full false 2024 03 March - Seed Retailers 2024 03 March - Seed Retailers Representatives from six seed retailers discuss the reasons they want to earn your business. Also, we meet some farmers who know how to grow forage…the winners in DUC’s Top 5 Forage Establishment contest.

]]> Representatives from six seed retailers discuss the reasons they want to earn your business. Also, we meet some farmers who know how to grow forage…the winners in DUC’s Top 5 Forage Establishment contest.

]]> Ducks Unlimited Canada - Manitoba Buzzsprout-14738855 Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0500 2564 1 1 full false