The Root of the Matter: Recent Episodes
UPL
Join veteran farm broadcaster Ken Root as he invites some of the brightest minds in agriculture to an open conversation about topics that affect your operation, your livelihood and your future.
Staying on top of agriculture’s latest trends and developments is a full-time job. From the growing role of technology in farming to the challenges of sustainability, weed and disease resistance, commodity prices, trade imbalances and changing weather patterns, we’ll explore these issues and more with in-depth conversations and solutions.
Host Ken Root visits with Craig Brekkas, Head of UPL North America, about UPL’s purpose, OpenAg and what agriculture needs to move forward and thrive in the future. Through the OpenAg approach, UPL builds new partnerships and collaborations to overcome agriculture’s biggest challenges.
Wheat and grain growers are facing many challenges that factor into their management decisions. In this episode, we talk to Gunter Jochum, president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA), about what he sees as a wheat grower and how factors such as trade, transportation, weather and government policy affect his and other Canadian farming operations.
Leaves falling, cool weather and pumpkins are all signs that it's fall! In this episode, we talk to Mac Condill with the Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, Illinois, about cucurbits, more specifically pumpkins. Mac, a horticulturist, grows over 300 types of pumpkins, squash and gourds and has traveled the world gathering seeds to preserve heritage varieties.
A second-generation almond farmer from California’s Central Valley is the inaugural Allies for Agriculture winner. Listen in as our host visits with Christine Gemperle as she talks about almonds, sustainability, pollinators, and water usage; and learn why she is proud to be an ally for agriculture.
It’s the bottom of the ninth, the bases are loaded, and Team Resistant Weeds look like they have the advantage over Team Farmer. Can Team Farmer better use herbicide strategies to beat weed resistance? Join commentators Dr. Aaron Hager and Ken Root as they discuss how farmers can strike out weeds.
Can you imagine being able to monitor your grain from only your smartphone? A remote grain monitoring company has made this a reality. In this episode, Ken sits down with Naeem Zafar, Co-Founder and CEO of TeleSense, about how remote grain monitoring technology works and its many benefits to growers.
What’s the buzz with pollinators? Ken explores all things pollinators with guest Miles Dakin, Bee Friendly Farming Coordinator with the Pollinator Partnership. In this episode, they discuss the important roles pollinators play in agriculture and ways we can help protect these tiny superheroes.
What does a more sustainable future for U.S. cotton look like? The National Cotton Council is leading the charge to showcase what it means for the industry. Ken sits down with Gary Adams, President & CEO of the National Cotton Council, to discuss the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, which is providing growers with new standards on how to grow cotton more sustainably.
Growers know all too well the growing threat of weed resistance. As this issue continues to evolve, what solutions are there? Dr. Aaron Hager, a weed science specialist with the University of Illinois Extension, joins Ken to discuss weed resistance and how herbicide layering can help growers fight these issues.
Dry seeding: Is this method helping rice growers combat weed pressures during the growing season? Jason Norsworthy, weed scientist and distinguished professor at the University of Arkansas, joins Ken to discuss how dry seeding methods as a production style have helped to reduce weed pressures prior to flooding.
While it’s a crop grown mainly in Canada, it’s used all over the world. From cooking oil to biodiesel, canola is a highly important crop. Curtis McRae, a Canadian canola grower, sits down with Ken to chat about his operation, some of the challenges he faces and how he stays involved in the industry.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, oh my! Ken dives into soil sampling with Brian Arnall, a precision soil fertility specialist at Oklahoma State University. In this episode, they discuss the importance of soil sampling and how to use it as a tool for decision-making, rather than just a benchmark.
The new year is a perfect time to start planning for the future. Succession planning is a necessity for any business owner. Ken sits down with Wesley Tucker, a University of Missouri field specialist and expert in succession planning, to discuss how important making a plan is and what steps growers should follow.
What are biosolutions, and how do growers use them on their crops? Changes in consumer demands and increased awareness of the environmental impact of growing food has increased the need for biosolutions. Ken sits down with Natalie Hummel, UPL’s Global Head of New Ag Technologies and NPP Platforms, to discuss where biosolutions fit in agriculture and how they are changing crop protection.
Christmas trees are a staple for many during the holiday season, but do you know what goes into growing each tree? Weather conditions are affecting supply as demand for real trees is increasing. Ken sits down with Dr. Melvin Koelling, owner of Tannenbaum Farms and retired forestry professor, and talks about Christmas tree production and its agritourism opportunities.
Pulses have a long history, with the first evidence dating back 11,000 years ago. But what are pulses? Due to changing consumer diets and nutritional wants, pulses are becoming more popular. Ken sits down with Julianne Curran, vice president of market innovation at Pulse Canada, and talks about pulses and the products produced from pulse crops.
How have producers been affected by supply chain disruptions? Due to COVID-19 and labor shortages, consumers are seeing increased prices and producers have been forced to adapt new production systems. Ken sits down with Mallory Rahe, Extension Education professor at the University of Missouri, and talks about the effects of input costs and supply chain issues on consumers.
Are craft breweries the next big purchaser of barley? Due to consumer demand for sustainability and a taste for niche products, malted barley is increasing its presence as a brewing grain. Ken sits down with Matt Hamill, maltster at Red Shed Malting, and talks about malting barley and a new opportunity for growers in barley production.
Is seed technology the driver of each green revolution? Due to advancements in seed genetics and selection, growers are able to produce higher yields, healthier crops and more sustainable food. Ken sits down with Manjit Misra, director of the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University and talks through how seeds are the future of agriculture innovation.
How do natural disasters in the southern United States affect growers in Canada? Ken sits down with Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, to discuss what happens when natural disaster strikes. Mike shares how Hurricane Ida has affected shipments of corn and soybeans along the Mississippi River, exporting via the Gulf of Mexico and more.
How are wildfires affecting crop production? In this episode, we look at the pressing risk of drought, extreme heat and wildfires and how Crop S.A.F.E. is helping with mitigating the risks. Ken sits down with Emily Smith, UPL Technical Service Manager, and Joe Vassios, Technical Service Lead, Specialty Crops. The trio talk through the lasting effects smoke has on growers, their workers and the hardest-hit crop, wine grapes.
With severe drought affecting large parts of the U.S., what is the long-term outlook for growers? In this episode, we look at the current drought situation for the West and correlations among different regions. Ken sits down with Don Day, a meteorologist in the Rocky Mountains and western high plains. Don talks through how past weather events can give us insight for future events, including when the next big drought will be.
Is carbon sequestration the future of sustainable farming? In this episode, we look at nurture.farm, an organization that is using technology to help growers make agriculture sustainable. Ken sits down with Brad Horner, head of Growth and Strategic Initiatives for nurture.farm, and talks through how carbon sequestration works, what opportunities growers have and the impact it can make.
Agriculture innovation has exploded in recent years — from seed technology and soil monitoring to equipment. Adrian Percy, UPL’s Chief Technology Officer, is no stranger to this technological innovation. Adrian dives into the technology that’s developed over the years and shares how UPL approaches innovation through business partnerships and the OpenAg Center.
Herbicide resistance is nothing new to growers, but that hasn’t stopped the problem from increasing. What are growers to do about these resistant weeds in their field with few new solutions in the market? Erin Burns, assistant professor of weed management at Michigan State University, joins Ken to discuss what progress has been made in combating herbicide resistance, what the barriers are, and where we go as we look into the future.
Sometimes the best way to see the change in the world is to be the change in the world. Cammy Lockwood, a first-generation grower in Canada, talks with Ken about how her family went from being gardeners to farmers. Lockwood Farm now raises approximately 6,000 hens for eggs, along with other crops, sold at a premium in their local market and online. Cammy details the journey as these first-time growers were also the first to clear their land and till their soil. In her conversation with Ken, she stresses the need to remain true to your values of caring for the land and the animals while adopting new technologies for the sake of the farming business.
With emerging markets, favorable prices and innovative technology, the future of sorghum is getting brighter and brighter. Ken is joined by two guests, Jennifer Blackburn, Vice President of Communications for the National Sorghum Producers, and Tanner Antonick, Central U.S. Account Manager for Advanta Seeds. The three talk through the evolution of sorghum and how It has become a versatile, game-changing crop for agriculture producers across the world.
From California to the Ogallala Aquifer, water supply and quality remain a top concern for growers. In this conversation, Ken sits down with Jay Famiglietti, director of the Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan. To address water issues, the food system needs to think differently. Together, Ken and Jay talk about what a decreasing water supply and quality mean for growers and what steps need to be taken to overcome these pressing challenges.
From railroad to waterway, transportation is at the heart of the agriculture industry. In this episode, Ken sits down with Mike Steenhoek, executive director for the Soy Transportation Coalition, to discuss how our food is shipped between states and countries. They touch on the implications of COVID-19 and how a failing infrastructure can affect the transportation system.
As the new crop year begins, Ken sits down with two UPL experts to discuss how to give your crop a strong start. Lynn Justesen, U.S. Technical Services Lead, and Holly Derksen, Canada Technical Support Specialist, give agronomic tips and tricks on how growers can set themselves up for a successful season and address pressing challenges they are facing. Listen to their discussion on monitoring weather changes, tracking soil conditions, applying the correct pre-plant solutions, herbicide-resistant weeds and much more.
This last year brought a tidal wave of marketing challenges and opportunities for growers. Arlan Suderman, Chief Economist for StoneX, joins host Ken Root to discuss market insights as the new crop year gets underway. They cover the controversial Prospective Planting report, the effects of COVID-19 on the industry, consumer shifts, and what happens as we move into a post-COVID world.
In this first episode, Host Ken Root chats with Craig Brekkas for a light-hearted conversation about growing up on the farm and their careers in agriculture. Craig, Head of North America for UPL, discusses the state of agriculture in North America and how UPL’s purpose, OpenAg, plays a role in influencing the global food system.