Jay Whetter has been an agriculture journalist for 26 years, which seems like a very long time. It isn’t. He is the editor of Canola Digest magazine, coordinator of Canola Watch and does some freelance writing for Country Guide, Manitoba Co-operator and other publications. In October 2024, he and Toban Dyck launched a new podcast called The Extensionists. Jay has won numerous Canadian Farm Writers Federation awards, including “Reporter of the Year” in 2024, “Story of the Year” in 2023 and “Farm Writer of the Year” in 2021. Jay grew up on Chain Lakes Farm at Dand, Manitoba and now lives in Winnipeg. His mission is to engage with people and ideas that will help agriculture get better every day.
2025
Senior Analyst and a member of the board of directors at ISTA Mielke GmbH, OIL WORLD, in Hamburg (Germany), a leading research organization that provides global supply, demand and price analyses, statistics and forecasts for all major oilseeds, vegetable oils and animal fats and oilmeals, as well as for biodiesel, with clients in 100 countries. He joined the OIL WORLD team in 2013, after studying economics with a focus on international trade and game theory. He also worked in various agricultural firms in Switzerland and Southeast Asia. OIL WORLD was founded in 1958 and is recognized worldwide as an independent, authoritative, and unbiased information provider.
Karen, her husband Miles, along with a fantastic team of agronomists operate 360 Ag Consulting in the Parkland region. Based in Roblin, MB, 2025 will be their 19th crop year of working with an exceptional group of producers constantly striving to improve agronomic practices and maximize their business potential. 360’s main focus is creating the best fertility plans possible through a highly intensive variable rate and scouting program.
Breanna Miller is an Agronomy Specialist with the Canola Council of Canada – where she is the lead in both Verticillium and Storage for the Crop Production & Innovation team. Breanna is based in Portage la Prairie MB, covering right through into South Eastern SK. Currently stepping into a mat leave role, Breanna brings a wealth of experience from her 7-year journey in Ag Retail. She grew up on a grain farm in Oakville MB, feeling passionate and involved in agriculture from an early age. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Agribusiness) at the University of Manitoba, and later went on to obtain her CCA designation – making her well-versed in both the science and business of agriculture. Passionate about both plants and people, Breanna is excited to be a dynamic student and voice in the field of agronomy
Brunel Sabourin Certified Crop Advisor & Co-Founder, Antara Agronomy Services Ltd Growing up on a farm, Brunel has nurtured a lifelong passion for agriculture and sustainable food production. Referred to by some as the “Guru of the Red River Valley,” he brings over 30 years of experience, consulting on a diverse array of crops including cereals, oilseeds, pulses, and corn. Together with his wife, Jennifer, Brunel operates Antara Agronomy Services Ltd, a consulting firm dedicated to on-farm research and benchmarking. His approach emphasizes the importance of integrating local agronomic research with production data, empowering producers with the knowledge they need to navigate the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions. Brunel is a firm believer that equipping producers with the right information leads to improved decision-making, increased profitability, reduced stress, and ultimately, a more enjoyable farming experience. His commitment to advancing agricultural practices and supporting local farmers makes him a respected voice in the industry.
Growing up in a family with both parents coming from farms, Sonia joined the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba to complete her undergrad degree with a focus on plant biotechnology. She then worked on a research project focused on canola’s tolerance to excess moisture stress before covering the role of Research Manager with the Manitoba Canola Growers Association during a term leave. In January of this year, she began an exciting new role as the Oilseeds Specialist on the Manitoba Agriculture team, focused on supporting and advancing the oilseed sector in Manitoba.
