Born and raised in southern Manitoba, Curtis Cavers is an agronomist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) based in Portage la Prairie. He earned his bachelor of science in agriculture, majoring in soil science, and later completed his master’s degree at the University of Manitoba (U of M). Curtis lives on an acreage near Elm Creek with his wife’s family.

Where did you work before AAFC?

I started working with AAFC in 2007. Before that, I worked for Manitoba Agriculture for just over 10 years and have been a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) for many years. It is a great program to be part of, providing ongoing training and practical knowledge sharing for industry agronomists and participants.

What got you interested in this area of work?

Who might be a better question! One person in particular, Dr. Tee Boon Goh, sparked my interest. I met him in my intro to soils class, and he was just a ball of energy. If you ask anyone else in agriculture about Dr. Goh, they’ll say the same thing. He is an enthusiastic, fantastic lecturer and the reason that I switched majors to soil science. Afterward, I met many other great people in the soil science department at the U of M, many of whom I still connect with today.

Tell us a bit about what you’re working on at AAFC.

I focus mainly on soil science from an agronomic perspective. In the past, we’ve had projects on tillage and pertaining to soil compaction, salinity and, more recently, soil erosion. These are the three areas we are investigating in terms of soil health research.

One project, Genetic selection-assessment of genetic resilience and excess moisture from a subset of MCVET crop varieties, was part of the extremes of moisture initiative and was conducted from 2019-22. This initiative came together in 2016 after a prolonged wet spell, when farmers were having issues dealing with excess moisture.

Several projects came out of that, including this one, where we tested various crop varieties for differences in tolerance to either excess moisture or drought-like conditions. We wanted to push these limits without breaking the system, stressing crops beyond normal expectations.

The takeaway was that resilience to extreme moisture wasn’t as variable as we expected. Most high-yielding crop varieties maintained their performance under both average and extreme conditions. For example, if variety X has consistently performed well in variety trials, it’s likely to perform best in times of both excess moisture and drought.

This work led to our current research looking at variable landscapes and extremes of moisture. Eroded hilltops are often dry, while lower areas like wetlands or potholes are persistently wet. As we get into precision farming or managing on a landscape basis, we are examining how farmers can manage this variability to increase their productivity and efficiency. I am focusing on these landscape extremes to see if adjustments can make them more productive or, at the very least, more consistent over time.

What can you say about the value of farmers providing funding and support to your organization?

Farmers know what challenges they are facing every day on the farm. It is encouraging to work with farmers who are curious, inquisitive and open-minded to new ideas and asking questions. Sketching out back-of-the-envelope ideas together is exciting. Farmers bring invaluable insights to the table that, combined with our research, can create powerful solutions.

I think of it as a roundtable – everyone shares what they see, which gives us a fuller picture. Working with farmers to tackle practical issues and potentially find solutions is what makes this work so rewarding, even if it’s not always simple or quick.

How does that farmer funding and support directly benefit farmers?

It helps direct us to the issues that are most pressing for farmers. If farmers identify specific areas of focus, that helps us prioritize research where it is needed most. I always make sure to ask, “Is this something that would benefit farmers?” and then check if it resonates with them.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

I’m doing extra studies right now, so I don’t have a lot of free time. There’s always work to do on the acreage, which keeps our family busy.

What’s the best part about your job?

Working with farmers and producer groups. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with Manitoba Crop Alliance and others over the last few years. It’s rewarding to brainstorm ideas that have a clear purpose and a real potential to benefit farmers. Identifying problems and working on solutions for farmers is the meat and potatoes of what we do, and that is what I am here for.

How do you celebrate agriculture?

I try to share positive aspects of agriculture any chance I get, by participating in events, supporting Agriculture in the Classroom and sharing information about the CCA program. These activities not only celebrate agriculture but also offer training opportunities to learn about other aspects of agriculture. They are great ways to both share knowledge and learn.

What is a good piece of advice that has stuck with you?

A former boss once said, “Go do your job, Curtis. It’s like driving a car – just put your foot to the floor and go. I’ve got your back.” That supportive management style has meant a lot to me. Dr. Scott Wright, that was good advice!

Jeff Schoenau is a professor of soil science and the Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program Chair in Soil Nutrient Management at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). He earned his bachelor of science in agriculture at the U of S, where he also completed his PhD in soil science in 1988. In addition to his work at the university, Schoenau and his wife Lynn own and operate a grain farm near Central Butte, SK.

The grain farm has provided him with extensive practical experience. Over the years, it has served as a valuable research site for many of his students and colleagues, supporting field research and providing soil samples for various experiments. He has brought graduate students to the farm to demonstrate soil conservation management techniques and facilitates hands-on learning by having students collect soil samples to study organic matter content and its changes across different land management practices.

Where did you work before the U of S?

I have been with the U of S for a long time. I stared as an undergraduate student in 1980, followed by graduate studies, and have been employed here since 1989. My role has been a mix of teaching, research and extension.

What got you interested in this area of work?

Our family farm in Central Butte has been in operation since it was homesteaded. I live in the original Eaton house built in 1913, where four generations of my family have lived. My wife Lynn and I continue to run the farm, and our two children Michael and Brianna live in Saskatoon. The farm is 1,600 acres, and without any hired help it keeps my wife and I very busy.

Tell us a bit about what you are working on at the university.

I manage around 25 research projects at any given time, handling aspects from proposals to implementation, reports and extension work through webinars, podcasts and presentations. I have a great research team. I lead a team of eight technicians and associates, plus eight graduate students, and sit on a number of advisory committees.

In addition to research, I teach an undergraduate course on soil fertility and fertilizers, supervise fourth-year thesis projects, and contribute to graduate-level courses on field research and soil analytical techniques. My days are spent balancing these responsibilities across teaching, research and student mentorship.

One of my current projects, supported by Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), focuses on straw harvesting strategies to provide feedstock while maintaining soil and environmental quality. We are looking at the impacts of removing straw, which has growing demand from livestock producers and other industries.

The main site for this research is on my farm, where we are looking at precision straw harvesting. We want to understand how straw harvesting affects soil properties and productivity across different landscape positions, particularly comparing upslope regions with low slopes.

We are collaborating with farmers across Saskatchewan, examining the long-term effects of straw removal on soil fertility, organic matter, moisture and temperature, while also conducting an economic analysis. This fall, we completed our first harvest as part of this project, and we are already uncovering some interesting findings. Our research is designed to help growers make informed decisions about sustainable straw management.

What can you say about the value of farmers providing funding and support to your organization?

The support from farmers is incredibly valuable to my research. Organizations like MCA have provided crucial funding. This farmer-driven support is often matched by provincial funds from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund, as well as contributions from industry partners and the government. Federal funding and the cluster program have also been essential in diversifying my research.

These partnerships not only provide financial backing but also offer opportunities to engage with farmers at conferences and field days where I can share my findings and learn from growers directly.

How does that farmer funding and support directly benefit farmers?

Farmer funding and support directly benefit growers by providing them with access to the latest knowledge and practices in nutrient management that are crucial for optimizing agronomic, economic and environmental outcomes. In today’s landscape, where environmental impacts are a significant concern, understanding the processes behind soil and nutrient management is essential. My research focuses not just on documenting impacts but on understanding the underlying mechanisms that can be applied across various regions.

Extension work is a passion of mine, inspired by my mentor, the late professor Les Henry, who taught me a lot about extension and the value of getting your message to growers.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work I spend a lot of time enjoying the outdoors. I like being in the field, snowmobiling and hunting. I am also a bit of an automotive historian. I like old cars, trucks and tractors, and piddling around with machinery.

What is the best part about your job?

I really enjoy the opportunity to work with students, both undergraduate and graduate. Some students may spend two to five years working with me, and the constant influx of new students is truly rewarding. I take great pleasure in seeing them evolve and grow throughout their time in the program. Also, collaborating with growers, academics and industry professionals is always exciting.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

One of the best pieces of advice I received relates to extension work, and it was “Know your audience.” Think about your audience, if it is a group of farmers, researchers or the public – what would they be interested in? What do they really want to know? That really resonated with me.