The Truth About Ag

Kristjan Hebert, Evan Shout
  • 3.6 (5)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A raw, off-the-cuff discussion on the real time issues in agriculture today.

  1. DEC 10

    The Truth About Family Offices and the New Farm Legacy

    It’s a catch-up Christmas special on The Truth About Ag. With nearly 50 episodes behind them, Evan and Kristjan look back at the conversations that shaped the show. From CEOs who started on the ground floor to guests who opened up about health, mindset, and the realities of modern farming. They revisit the moments that stuck, the one-liners they still use, and the guests who shifted how they think about leadership and life. The conversation moves into the big issues farmers are facing now: grain dryer grants and why infrastructure, not price, is the real bottleneck; rising land values and the wave of recent farm sales; and why some operations are choosing to exit at the top. They dig into succession, working capital pressures, and the growing need for farmers to think beyond the next season and start planning for the next decade. They wrap with a look at growth, hiring before you’re drowning, performance reviews that don’t blindside anyone, and the mentors and books that shaped their own paths. It’s a reflective, honest episode that sets the stage for where agriculture and the show is headed next.

    1h 4m

  2. NOV 26

    The Truth About Turning Volatility into Opportunity with Ken Seitz

    Evan and Kristjan sit down with Ken Seitz, CEO of Nutrien, whose journey from a Saskatchewan dairy farm to leading one of the world’s largest ag companies is a story rooted in humility, hard work, and curiosity. Ken shares how growing up on the farm shaped his leadership approach, the mentors who taught him the value of truth, discipline, and community, and how those early experiences continue to influence his perspective on business and community. The conversation covers everything from global fertiliser trade flows and market volatility to the future of technology and talent in agriculture. Ken explains how Nutrien adapts to geopolitical uncertainty, why flexibility is the only way forward, and how Canadian farmers can use data, discipline, and bold thinking to stay competitive. Through it all, he returns to the same theme that Saskatchewan values, curiosity and commitment to compete are what drive progress in both farming and business.

    1h 15m

  3. NOV 12

    The Truth About Leading with Purpose with Bryce Eger

    In this episode of The Truth About Ag, Kristjan and Evan are joined by longtime friend and Canadian agriculture executive Bryce Eger. They get into how their small-town roots shaped the people and professionals they’ve become, despite all three of them ending up in careers they were once told not to pursue. Bryce’s leadership has guided teams through mergers, cultural shifts, and major innovations in seed technology and commercialization. Today, Bryce continues to bring his trademark people-first approach to an industry that’s constantly evolving. The conversation ranges from leadership and business advice to technology and personal fulfillment. They also discuss the realities of technology adoption, the ongoing debate between generic and non-generic products, and how purpose and happiness shift as careers mature. Bryce offers thoughtful insights on the fundamentals of leadership and the role that lifelong learning plays in both professional success and personal balance. It’s a candid, thoughtful conversation about growth, perspective, and finding meaning in the work you do - on the farm, in the boardroom, and everywhere in between.

    1h 25m

  4. OCT 29

    The Truth About Generations in Ag Business with John Heimbecker

    John Heimbecker of Parrish & Heimbecker joins Kristjan and Evan to share what four decades in Canadian agriculture have taught him about leadership, diversification, and long-term thinking. From his start in a Toronto trading office to leading one of the country’s largest family-owned agribusinesses, John talks about how P&H develops people from the ground up, why family members start at the bottom, and how empowering non-family managers has kept the company moving forward. The conversation dives into marketing discipline, hedging strategies, and the role diversification plays in managing volatility across grain, feed, flour, and eggs.  John also breaks down the supply chain challenges that hold Canadian agriculture back - rail monopolies, port inefficiencies, and the policy changes that could fix them. It’s a candid look at legacy, leadership, and the mindset required to build a business that lasts beyond a single generation.

    1h 17m

  5. OCT 15

    The Truth About Producers, Policy, and Trade with Warren Kaeding

    Evan and Kristjan welcome Warren Kaeding, third-generation farmer and MLA for Melville-Saltcoats, for a conversation that ties farm life to global trade. Warren shares how his roots in pedigreed seed and recognition through Outstanding Young Farmers shaped his path into politics, and why “engagement, engagement, engagement” is the thread running through both farming and government. The discussion ranges from recent trade missions in Asia to the role of Saskatchewan’s trade offices and STEP in opening doors, building trust, and keeping Canada competitive. Warren explains how volatility today is driven less by supply and demand and more by geopolitics and policy, pushing farms toward longer-term strategies like storage and procurement planning.  From rebuilding producer trust to asking buyers what they really want, the episode highlights why communication and collaboration remain the foundation for agriculture’s future.

    1 hr

  6. OCT 1

    The Truth About Why Fear Sells and Exactly Who's Buying

    This week on The Truth About Ag, we’re tackling the theme “Fear Sells—Who’s Buying?” Evan is joined by Todd Andries, repeat guest Dean Klippenstein, and U.S. farmer Rich Bronec for a wide-ranging roundtable on what’s really happening in agriculture as 2025 winds down. From land transitions and rental opportunities to rising fertilizer costs, shifting rotations, and the reality of cash flow crunches, the group dives into where the opportunities are even in a margin-tight environment. They cover long-term leases, machinery costs, lender expectations, and the growing importance of financial acumen on today’s farms. Whether you’re wrestling with operating loans, debating rent vs. buy decisions, or considering how to build a war chest for the next big expansion, this conversation is packed with practical insight. Tune in for honest talk, a few laughs, and a forward-looking perspective on how producers can find stability and growth in uncertain times.

    1h 9m

  7. SEP 17

    The Truth About Ag Careers and Opportunities with Leta LaRush

    In this episode, Evan and Kristjan welcome Leta LaRush, Vice President of Business Management for BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. What follows is a conversation that weaves together agriculture, leadership, innovation, and the realities of life outside of work. Leta explains why it takes as long as twelve years to bring a new agricultural product to market, how regulation and red tape impact innovation, and what Canada needs to do to stay competitive. She talks about the importance of spending time in the combine each year, the debate between brands and generics, and the role trade barriers play in shaping the industry. The conversation also touches on the realities of building a career in agriculture. Leta discusses the choices she has made as a working parent, the value of equal parental leave, and why she has focused on roles that offer opportunities to learn and grow rather than just the ones with the most prestige. She shares the influence of mentors and executive coaches on her career and offers practical advice on leadership, scheduling, and professional development.

    1h 1m

  8. SEP 3

    The Truth About Building a Legacy with Jace Young

    Kristjan and Evan sit down with Jace Young, Founder and CEO of Legacy Farmer, to take a hard look at the financial side of agriculture and why it’s so often misunderstood. They talk about why so few people are giving farmers solid financial advice, and how easy it is to misread just how long the rope is when working with the bank. They share their perspective on a big industry problem: banks chasing new customers while letting existing ones drift without real, up-to-date support. The conversation goes well beyond banking. They get into succession planning, how and when to bring your kids into the profits, teaching respect versus fueling entitlement, and using tools like the equity calculator to put real numbers behind big decisions. From moving conversations off-farm to reshaping roles and building accountability charts, this episode is packed with ideas on how to improve communication, shift mindsets, and keep your business and your family moving in the right direction.

    1h 8m
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Ratings & Reviews

3.6
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A raw, off-the-cuff discussion on the real time issues in agriculture today.

Information

  • Creator
    Kristjan Hebert, Evan Shout
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Truth About Ag

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