The Truth About Farm and Business Leadership with Ben Voss
Ben Voss has lived many lives in one: engineer, CEO, global ag-tech leader, and farmer. In this episode, he shares how his career has taken him around the world—everything from orange juice farms in Brazil to dairy operations in Europe—only to circle back to his roots in Saskatchewan. Now splitting his time between leading sales at Raven Industries and working on his family farm, Ben brings a rare perspective that blends international ag-tech with day-to-day farm realities.We get into how leadership styles shift between the boardroom and the farm, how equipment decisions reveal more than just financial strategy, and why the used equipment market is telling a new story in agriculture. Ben talks about equipment life cycles, succession plans, and the differences he sees between Canadian and U.S. farms—from buying habits to maintenance approaches.
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The Truth About Budgeting, Banks, and Big Decisions with Todd Andries
In this episode of The Truth About Ag, we’re joined by Todd Andries, newly minted Chief Operating Officer of Maverick Ag and a long-time leader in ag finance. With more than 25 years in the financial industry and roots in his family’s 2,600-acre farm, Todd brings a blend of boardroom insight and boots-on-the-ground understanding.We talk about what’s really happening in the farm equipment market, the role of personal tax and budgeting in strategic planning, and how fear and stress show up when you’re making big decisions. We share lessons from Strategic Coach, what it’s been like joining the Maverick and HGV teams, and how to navigate tough conversations with banks when the numbers don’t tell the full story.It’s a candid look at the mindset behind sustainable growth, one that’s honest about the risks, the pressure, and the personal side of business.Listen in for a wide-ranging conversation that blends finance, leadership, and a little Stanley Cup talk, too.
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1:05:08
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The Truth About How the Food Professor Sees Canadian Ag
In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan and Evan are joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and widely known as The Food Professor. They discuss the complex dynamics shaping Canadian agriculture—from the persistent misunderstandings about farmers and food production, to the political realities of how ag policy actually gets set.They talk about the pecking order in Ottawa, the gap between policy conversations and execution, and what’s holding Canada back when it comes to global competitiveness. Dr. Charlebois offers a candid perspective on growth, sustainability and shares his take on how Canadian agriculture can raise its profile on the world stage.The episode also takes a closer look at the controversial topic of supply management, unpacking the details and misconceptions surrounding the system. And as always, there’s a straight-up discussion about what’s changing in agriculture, what isn’t, and what myths need to be put to rest.
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The Truth About Life in Politics with Dustin Duncan
In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Evan and Kristjan sit down with Dustin Duncan, former Saskatchewan MLA and cabinet minister, to talk about what it’s really like behind the scenes of provincial politics. Elected at just 26 and serving under both Brad Wall and Scott Moe, Dustin reflects on nearly two decades in public service, shares his thoughts on the current government, and talks candidly about what he’ll miss as he transitions back to private life.They cover everything from dealing with Twitter/X comments to what it takes to lead in agriculture, and why more people—especially in the ag community—need to get involved. It’s an honest look at the intersection of politics, agriculture, and personal growth from someone who’s lived it.
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The Truth About Canadian Agriculture’s Political Reality with Tyler McCann
In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Evan Shout sits down with Tyler McCann, Managing Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI), for a candid conversation about the state of ag policy in Canada. They start with the role CAPI plays in shaping agri-food dialogue, including the value of its regular newsletter, before diving into the aftermath of Canada’s recent federal election.They examine how policies around capital gains, tax incentives, and trade disputes are shaped, not always by evidence or industry needs, but by shifting politics. The conversation also takes a critical look at Canada’s supply management system, comparing it to the U.S. model and asking hard questions about long-term competitiveness and economic resilience.For anyone trying to understand where Canadian agriculture policy is headed—and what’s getting in the way—this episode brings needed clarity.
Canada - english