2026 Schedule Nufarm Information Theatre
Sponsored by Nufarm, the information theatre is located in Hall B at the World Trade Center Saskatoon at Prairieland. We work diligently throughout the year to compile a list of relevant topics presented by the best speakers in the industry. Please watch our social media channels for all event announcements and updates.
Day 1
Tues. Jan 13 - 10:30 am
2026 Variety Update
Bunyamin Tar’an, Crop Development Centre
This presentation will introduce new varieties developed at the Crop Development Centre, as well as highlight the most recent releases. Dr. Tar’an’s discussion will include barley, oat, wheat, durum wheat, canary seeds, pulses (pea, lentil, chickpea, dry bean, faba bean and soybean), flax and forage.
Dr. Bunyamin Tar’an is an SK Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program (SRP) Chair in Chickpea and Flax Breeding and Genetics, and professor at the Crop Development Centre/Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Dr. Tar’an did his undergraduate program majoring in Indonesia, and obtained his MSc and PhD degrees from the University of Guelph, Ontario, specializing in plant breeding and genetics. His current research focused on the development of chickpea and flax cultivars for Canada.
Dr. Tar’an has released 18 chickpea cultivars, and two flax cultivars, and codeveloped several other pulse cultivars. Dr. Tar’an leads the application of genomic tools in chickpea and flax breeding and research at the CDC. Dr. Tar’an teaches an undergraduate class in tropical crops and tropical agriculture, and supervises undergraduate student research, graduate students (MSc and PhD), post-doctoral fellows and research staff.
Tues. Jan 13 - 11:30 am
Introduction of 2026 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees
Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame
Learn more about the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Tues. Jan 13 - 12:30 pm
Western Canadian Crop Production Show Innovation Award - Award/Presentations
Innovation Award Finalists:
- Ground Truth Agriculture – Benchtop MV/NIRS
- WEED-IT Canada – WEED-IT QUADRO + DASH Precision Spot Spraying Ecosystem (WI-Q-D-PSSS)
- Ultraview Technologies Inc. – AgVision HD
*Winner will be announced and awarded at the Nufarm Information Theatre on Tuesday, January 13, 2026*
The Western Canadian Crop Production Show is thrilled to showcase innovation in the industry through our Western Canadian Crop Production Show Innovation Award at the 2026 event. The finalists will have the opportunity to discuss their innovations in the Nufarm Information Theatre for all to learn from.
Tues. Jan 13 - 2:30 pm
Advancing Kochia Management in Pulses
Racquelle Peters, University of Saskatchewan
Kochia pressure continues to rise in prairie pulse production, and growers need new research-backed strategies that they can adopt quickly and confidently. This presentation shares first-year results from a multi-location screening trial evaluating metribuzin-containing co-packs for kochia and broadleaf weed control in lentil. Using visual ratings, biomass measurements, UAV imagery, and yield, the trial assessed crop tolerance and real-world weed control performance across diverse environments. These findings offer early insight into where these co-packs fit and how they could support future label expansion and kochia management strategies in pulse systems.
Originally from Alberta, Racquelle moved to Saskatchewan in 2010 and quickly immersed herself in the province’s agricultural landscape. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan, building a solid foundation in crop research and agronomy. She now serves as a Research Officer in the Plant Sciences Department’s Agronomic Crop Imaging lab, where she oversees a diverse portfolio of field research.
Her work includes leading a six year, multi partner initiative focused on improving weed management in pulse systems, as well as advancing methodologies for on farm experimentation. Committed to connecting science with practice, Racquelle brings together field agronomy, remote sensing technologies, and collaborative research networks to develop practical solutions that support producers.
Day 2
Wed. Jan 14 - 10:30 am
Resistant Wheat, Profitable Farms: Genetic Solutions to Mitigate Fusarium Head Blight
Valentyna Klymiuk, Crop Development Center
This presentation will explore strategies plant breeders use to enhance Fusarium head blight (FHB)resistance in Canadian wheat and durum cultivars. Dr. Klymiuk will summarize the progress in FHB resistance breeding efforts at the Crop Development Centre and showcase the potential of utilizing wild crop relatives to improve resistance in field-ready cultivars.
Dr. Valentyna Klymiuk is the recently appointed Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission Applied Genomics and Pre-Breeding Chair and assistant professor at the Crop Development Centre/Department of Plant Sciences in College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Dr. Klymiuk, grew up in Ukraine, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Master of Science in Biology and a PhD in Hydrobiology from the Donetsk National University in Ukraine.
She holds a second PhD from the University of Haifa in Israel, where she studied plant genetics, genomics, pathology, and use of wheat wild relatives to enhance wheat disease resistance. Prior to this new position, she worked as a research officer at the Crop Development Centre managing basic and applied research in Fusarium Head Blight resistance breeding where she utilized genetics and next-generation genomic approaches for gene discovery, characterization and its application in breeding.
Valentyna has received numerous prestigious awards including the 2019 Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum (WIT) Early Career Award and the Prize “Carlotta Award 2022”, which recognizes significant early-career contributions to wheat research.
Wed. Jan 14 - 11:30 am
Weed Management in Pulse Crops
Mike Brown, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
Mike is an agronomy manager with the Saskatchewan pulse growers and specializes in lentil, chickpea, and dry beanrelated agronomy and research. Mike leads the surveillance and monitoring, industry collaborations, and field scale trial programswith SPG.
Wed. Jan 14 - 1:30 pm
Farming Forward: Essential Strategies for Family Farm Succession
Brett Thiessen, Partner, Tax; Sarah Tkachuk, Partner, Private Enterprise Tax; Matt Harrison Manager, Advisory Services; KPMG
This educational session discusses the future of family farming and strategies to prepare your farm for that future. From succession planning and tax strategies to technology integration and productivity improvements, we review common concerns and examine what operational excellence looks like for the family farm. Participants will leave with tips on current tax strategies, succession considerations, and guidance on developing skills, data-driven insights, and processes for an efficient operation that is ready to pass to the next generation.
Brett is a partner specializing in Canadian tax in the Saskatoon office. He is familiar with the income tax and financial issues that affect private companies and specifically family-owned businesses. Brett has extensive experience working with clients to set-up and reorganize corporate structures, provide succession strategies, and advise on purchasing or selling a business. Brett also provides specific tax, succession, and estate planning advice to clients in the agriculture industry.
Sarah is a partner specializing in private enterprise and tax services. She has over 25 years of experience advising owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs. Sarah has a wide range of experience with projects related to tax compliance, advisory services, corporate reorganizations, estate planning and succession planning. Sarah is a FAMILY ENTERPRISE ADVISOR™ certificant and is dedicated to assisting family owned and operated businesses with a focus on the continuity of the family business.
Matt is a manager in advisory services and has 10 years of experience in operations management, process analysis, performance management, and strategic planning. He has worked with a wide range of private agriculture businesses in Southern Alberta. Matt has a strong working knowledge of the operating landscape in the agricultural sector and the needs and challenges facing producers of all sizes.
Wed. Jan 14 - 2:30 pm
Kochia on the Prairies: "Lessons from the Frontlines"
Dr. Steve Shirtliffe, University of Saskatchewan Plant Sciences; Cory Jacob, Government of Saskatchewan Provincial Specialist, Weed Control; Ken Wall, Federated Coop
Spray drones are growing in popularity but there are still questions on how well they perform.
Performance data as well as local user experience will be reviewed, including swath width in various crops, deposition uniformity, and canopy penetration.
Steve grew up on a farm in Manitoba and then in the 90’s returned to the University of Manitoba for his PhD. Sincethen, he has been a professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. His position involves teaching,research, and extension in the areas of crop imaging and agronomy. Past and current research projects have focused on phenotypicand agronomic applications of crop imaging using UAV and satellite imagery. He has a wide range of interests and collaborates widelywith computer scientists, plant breeders, geographers, economists soil scientists and engineers to form dynamic research groups totackle inter-disciplinary problems.
Cory is the Provincial Specialist, Weed Control for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. He served in an acting capacityfor 2 years before becoming permanent in the role 6 months ago. Cory works to provide information and recommendations on weedcontrol and The Weed Control Act to producers, agronomists, government departments and agencies as well as municipalities. Hegrew up on a grain farm in southeast Saskatchewan in the Mutrie district. He received both his Bachelor and Masters of Science inAgriculture from the University of Saskatchewan.
Ken graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree (Major in Plant Ecology/Range Management). He began his career with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Swift Current Research and Development Centre) in 1983. The next 33 years were spent researching all things related to salinity. Forages, due to their elevated tolerance to salinity became a significant focus of research over the years. Another focus was conducting salinity tolerance tests of many of the forages and annual crops grown on the Canadian Prairies in AAFC’s Salt tolerance Testing Lab working with Dr Harold Steppuhn. Currently he is working with Federated Co-operatives LTD as a Grow Team Advisor for the South Sask and Southern Alberta Region as well as Forage Specialist for the Prairie Region. Throughout his career he has operated a small ranch south of Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The majority of the land holdings consist of native prairie.
Day 3
Thurs. Jan 15 - 10:30 am
Richardson's Ground Squirrel Control
Dr. James Tansey, Sask Ministry of Agriculture
The biology of Richardson’s ground squirrel and some close relatives will be discussed, as will control options. These include biological, cultural, and chemical control methods that can be integrated into a broader management strategy.
Dr. James Tansey is the provincial insect and vertebrate pest management specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan. This role allows him many opportunities to collaborate with research colleagues, grower groups and other industry stakeholders, and help Saskatchewan growers navigate insect and vertebrate pest issues.
Thurs. Jan 15 - 11:30 am
Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Spray Application
Martin Carr, Winfield United
Growers are faced with many choices between products and equipment, Martin will illustrate some of the agronomic best practices that growers can optimize on the farm to get the best out of there sprayers along with tips for pesticides, adjuvants, water conditioners. These agronomic tips will support growers for the best outcome across a wide range of conditions.
Martin graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and joined the WinField United team in 2016. He works closely with the Market Development Managers and owners’ agronomic and sales staff providing technical agronomy support, training and tools. Martin also oversees the WinField Answer Plot program in Western Canada and supports WinField owners with Spray Clinics and product support.
Thurs. Jan 15 - 1:30 pm
2025 Insect Pest Season Update
Dr. James Tansey, Sask Ministry of Agriculture
Dr. James Tansey is the provincial insect and vertebrate pest management specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan. This role allows him many opportunities to collaborate with research colleagues, grower groups and other industry stake holders, and help Saskatchewan growers navigate insect and vertebrate pest issues
Thurs. Jan 15 - 2:30 pm
Tariffs, Trade and the 2026 Crop Year
Dr. Stuart Smyth, University of Saskatchewan
While tariffs have a lengthy history of distorting the export of Canadian agricultural commodities, 2025 was an exceptional year with tariffs applied by numerous countries on the export of numerous products. The reduction in exports due to tariffs have resulted in lower commodity prices. Lower commodity prices will impact seeding decisions.
This presentation will discuss the impacts of the numerous tariffs on Canadian commodity exports and provide insights as to what this might mean for 2026 seed crop acres.
Dr. Stuart Smyth is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. His research focuses on sustainability, agriculture, innovation and food. Dr. Smyth publishes twice weekly blogs on these topics at: www.SAIFood.ca. With over 160 academic publications, Dr. Smyth is recognized as a leading expert on barriers to innovation and regulatory efficiency.
Dr. Smyth specializes in research on regulatory barriers to food security, especially those that restrict investments into new plant breeding technologies, such as genome editing and that delay, or prevent, the commercialization of genetically modified and genome-edited crops.
Since 2019, he has been leading a large research project that quantifies the sustainability changes of Prairie crop production