- 5 minutes 33 secondsFrost, Heat, and Hail
You can’t plan the weather, but you can plan how you’ll respond when it hits. I’ll walk you through the key principles, grounded in research and on-farm experience. If you want the full breakdown, check out my full article in Better Farming Prairies this month.
Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/frost-heat-hailNewsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: [email protected] Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
15 May 2026, 9:44 pm - 12 minutes 53 secondsNavigating Fertilizer Uncertainty
Have recent geopolitical events left you short on nitrogen? Or are you holding back due to high input costs and uncertainty around how much you’ll sell the crop for?
The good news is that for most of our other nutrients we can short them for one year as long as we haven’t been shorting them for many years. When you keep up with replacement then you have a buffer in place.
Nitrogen is not like this. Applying some upfront is nearly always needed. There’s always the option to top up later—if conditions improve and product is available.
But just because you can doesn’t always mean you should. Cereals and oilseeds take up nitrogen faster than many expect. By the time you’re ready to top up, the crop may have already locked in its yield potential based on what it sensed during early root exploration.
This month, I focus on a practical framework to help you decide when a split nitrogen strategy makes sense. I’ll also point you back to a few articles that can help you if you are struggling with what to do about the other nutrients, including the value of biostimulants, humic acids, and other non-traditional fertility sources.Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/navigating-fertilizer-uncertaintyNewsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: [email protected] Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
13 April 2026, 9:51 pm - 6 minutes 37 secondsRelieving Pressure with Residuals
Residuals, in-crop chemistry, crop competition, and rotation all interact to have a greater effect than what is used in any single season. Listen to learn more, and see an excellent example of how an unintentional check strip that showed the power of residuals. Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/relieving-pressure-with-residuals Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: [email protected] Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
30 March 2026, 11:33 pm - 5 minutes 28 secondsRotation is Risk Management
For this month, my article focuses on rotation. It’s hard to quantify but the effects of it are real. With weather, markets, and geopolitical risks all very real concerns this year a good rotation adds stability. No one crop will carry the farm, but, just as importantly, no one crop will put the farm at risk.Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/rotation-is-risk-managementNewsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: [email protected] Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
12 February 2026, 10:15 pm - 7 minutes 27 secondsPlanning Starts at Harvest
Discussion of two recent magazine articles that I wrote. One article looks at pest control through a post-harvest lens — basically treating the season to a post-mortem. The other looks at seed decisions, especially around saved seed versus certified seed.
Upcoming: Foothills County talk (south of Calgary, AB) Jan 28/26The Builder, The Banker, The Brewer https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-builder-the-banker-the-brewer-tickets-1978190561220
Transcript with links to everything mentioned in theepisode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/planning-starts-at-harvest
Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752YouTube: (Company):
https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespiePodcast:
https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for ClimateSmart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books
Consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consultingSpeaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speakingFunding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
Email:
[email protected]Call/text/WhatsApp:
403-654-3096LinkedIn (Scott):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/12 January 2026, 10:07 pm - 9 minutes 34 seconds708 What Leaves the Farm … And What Comes Back?
Crops take nutrients off the farm. Can food-waste biostimulants bring them back? Are they worth your time and money? In this episode I’ll dig in to nutrient imports, exports, how you can calculate the flows on your farm, and whether it’s worth trying some of the many products hitting the market.
Upcoming: Foothills County talk (south of Calgary, AB) Dec 11/25
The Builder, The Banker, The Brewer
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-builder-the-banker-the-brewer-tickets-1968841229116Transcript with links to everything mentioned in theepisode:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/what-leaves-the-farm-what-comes-backNewsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752YouTube: (Company):
https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespiePodcast:
https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in yourfavourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for ClimateSmart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books
Consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consultingSpeaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speakingFunding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
Email:
[email protected]Call/text/WhatsApp:
403-654-3096LinkedIn (Scott):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/LinkedIn (Company):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil6 December 2025, 10:40 pm - 4 minutes 54 seconds707 Test Smarter. Spend Less.
Soil testing isn’t an expense—it’s an investment. In my latest Better Farming Prairies article, I share how a few dollars per acre in testing can save thousands in fertilizer costs and help you make smarter, better-timed decisions. Read “Test Smarter to Spend Less” to see how good data pays off in the field.
#RealisticRegenAg #SoilTesting #PrecisionAgriculture #FertilizerEfficiency #SustainableFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture
Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/test-smarter-spend-less
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752
YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)
Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books
Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting
Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking
Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: [email protected]
Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096
LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil
27 October 2025, 7:00 am - 6 minutes 52 seconds706 Mapping Soil Health
Prairie farmers are skeptical of “soil health” as justanother buzzword — but what if data could make it practical?
This episode explores mapping tools, farmer perspectives, and what resilience really looks like in the field.
Transcript with links to everything mentioned in theepisode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/mapping-soil-health
Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752YouTube: (Company):
https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespiePodcast:
https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for ClimateSmart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books
Consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consultingSpeaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speakingFunding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperworkEmail:
[email protected]Call/text/WhatsApp:
403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/LinkedIn (Company):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil22 September 2025, 4:15 pm - 7 minutes 42 seconds0705 When to Bale Your Straw
Do you bale your straw or keep it? The basic concept is to ask whether it is helping or hindering you. If baling will remove soil armor and allow rains to erode your land, leave it. If it’s causing issues at seeding time, bale some of it.
Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/when-to-bale-your-straw
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752
YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)
Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books
Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting
Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking
Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
Email: [email protected]
Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096
LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil
11 August 2025, 6:49 pm - 13 minutes 39 seconds0704 Testing New Practices
In this edition I talk about how I evaluate new agricultural practices and tools before recommending them to clients. From the challenges of staying current to the importance of third-party data, I share my approach to separating useful innovation from flashy distractions.
Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/testing-new-practices
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752
YouTube: (Company):
https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast:
https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)
Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books
Consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting
Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking
Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
Email:
Call/text/WhatsApp:
403-654-3096
LinkedIn (Scott):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil
4 August 2025, 11:57 pm - 8 minutes 50 seconds0703 Organic Weed Control
In this episode, I dive into what I’ve learned from applying organic weed control methods in my own garden—from stale seedbeds to blind cultivation—and how those lessons connect to what I see in prairie agriculture. I also reflect on my latest Better Farming Prairies article, which explores modern weed control tools that can reduce herbicide use without reversing no-till gains. Plus, I highlight some excellent resources on ecological weed management and emerging weed recognition technologies.
Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/organic-weed-control
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752
YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)
Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books
Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting
Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking
Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
Email: [email protected]
Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096
LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil
23 June 2025, 5:08 pm - More Episodes? Get the App