What if the secret to better beef starts underground?
Kara Mastel is joined by Dr. Jonathan Bennett, associate professor of Plant Ecology at the University of Saskatchewan, to unearth the science behind soil microbiomes and their powerful impact on forage productivity and beef sustainability.
Recorded following the Beef Research Showcase at Lakeland College, the conversation dives into how microbes influence plant health, how cultivar selection affects microbe interactions, and why breeding plants for better microbial relationships could revolutionize pasture management.
From drought resilience to salinity tolerance, Dr. Bennett sheds light on how invisible organisms may hold the key to future-proofing our beef industry—all without a microscope
Listen For:
04:47 – The Soil Microbiome’s Role in Forage Yields
09:05 – Optimizing Plant-Microbe Interactions
16:25 – Can Microbes Help Saline Pastures?
29:37 – Heritability and Breeding for Microbial Compatibility
35:32 – Giving Power Back to the Producer
GUEST: Dr. Jonathan Bennett
Dr. Jonathan Bennett is an Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in plant ecology with a focus on plant-soil interactions and invasive species management. He holds a PhD from the University of Alberta and has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Tartu and the University of British Columbia-Okanagan. Dr. Bennett's research aims to enhance our understanding of ecological processes in grasslands, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem conservation.
CONNECT WITH HOST: KARA MASTEL
Email | Website | LinkedIn | Phone
Have ideas for future shows? Drop us a note, on social media or via email.
Popular Podcasts
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com