S3.E2 – The Evolution of Disease Research Part 2: The Turning Point

By the late 1990s, barley disease researchers in Western Canada had built a strong foundation. Resistant varieties were improving, integrated disease management was becoming standard practice, and farmers had a growing toolbox.

Then came the turning point.

In the second episode of Season 3 of SaskBarley’s podcast continues the three-part series exploring the past, present, and future of barley disease research. Catch up on episode 1 here.

This episode focuses on the moment Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) arrived on the Prairies and fundamentally changed how barley disease risk was understood and managed. Through conversations with leading researchers Kelly Turkington (AAFC), Randy Kutcher (University of Saskatchewan), and James Tucker (AAFC), along with Saskatchewan farmer Zenneth Faye, we explore how the industry responded to one of the most economically devastating diseases ever faced by Canadian barley growers.

You’ll hear insights into how FHB challenged the entire barley value chain — not just as a yield threat, but as a market access issue — and how decades of collaborative research led to better resistant varieties, smarter fungicide timing, and integrated management strategies that continue to support stronger barley production today. Whether you’re a grower, agronomist, or simply interested in the science behind barley disease management, this episode captures a critical chapter in Prairie agriculture.

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