Wheat's On Your Mind

In this special episode, Aaron Harries speaks with renowned food historian Rachel Laudan about the deep roots of wheat in human civilization.  Growing up on a farm near Stonehenge, Rachel’s unique background—combined with her expertise in history, science, and philosophy—provides a rich and thoughtful perspective on how wheat shaped the rise of empires, economies, and everyday life.  Rachel unpack...

In this special episode, Aaron Harries welcomes back David Schemm, newly reappointed State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas. Schemm reflects on his goals from his first tenure and outlines his vision for his second, emphasizing efficiency, legacy, and adapting to evolving farm technologies. With boots-on-the-ground experience both as a farmer and policymaker, Sche...

The 2025 wheat growing season in Kansas will go down as one of the most challenging in recent memory, with widespread viral disease pressure affecting crops statewide.  In the latest episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind , host Aaron Harries is joined by Kansas State University experts Dr. Kelsey Andersen Onofre and Dr. Romulo Lollato to explain why and how this viral outbreak took hold.  From the biolo...

In this episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind , Arron Harries and Justin Gilpin regroup after their insightful conversation with Senator Jerry Moran to unpack the latest in ag policy and harvest developments. With the recent reconciliation bill pushing key wins for Kansas agriculture—including improved crop insurance, better ARC/PLC guarantees, and funding boosts for wheat export programs—this episode o...

In this special episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind , Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran joins Justin Gilpin and host Arron Harries to dive into the latest developments affecting wheat producers and rural Kansans.  The trio breaks down the July 4th reconciliation bill, including major wins for agriculture—particularly the updated reference prices in Title I of the Farm Bill and expanded crop insurance op...

In this episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind , host Aaron Harries welcomes Dr. Joseph Awika, a globally respected food scientist and the new department head of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University.  From his early days in Kenya to directing cutting-edge research in Texas and now Kansas, Dr. Awika brings a unique perspective to advancing grain science.  He shares how his work focuses on...

In this timely episode of Wheat's On Your Mind , host Aaron Harries catches up with Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin during a fast-paced and weather-challenged harvest season.  From scorching temperatures and high winds to the push to beat the rain, Kansas farmers are experiencing one of the most variable harvests in recent memory.  Gilpin shares insights from across the state, noting both the chall...

In this episode of the Wheat's on Your Mind Podcast , Aaron Harries talks with Lyle Friesen of Friesen Harvesting—a third-generation, family-run custom harvesting business based in Meade, Kansas.  Starting with humble roots in 1949, Lyle shares how the operation has grown to include modern John Deere combines and Kenworth trucks, all while maintaining deep-rooted family values and relationships wi...

In the latest episode of the Wheat's on Your Mind Podcast , Ben Brown, Extension economist at the University of Missouri, joins host Aaron Harries to break down current challenges and developments in U.S. agriculture.  From his family farm in western Missouri to his influence on national ag policy through FAPRI, Ben offers a unique blend of personal insight and professional analysis.  The episode...

In this powerful episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind , Peter Laudeman of U.S. Wheat Associates and Justin Gilpin of Kansas Wheat take listeners on a firsthand journey through East and Southern Africa, where U.S.-grown wheat becomes a lifeline for hundreds of thousands.  From witnessing heartbreaking ration cuts at the Kakuma refugee camp near the South Sudan border to observing port logistics in Momba...

What does it take to keep farm radio alive and thriving in the heartland?  Kyle Bauer, a Kansas radio legend and Hall of Fame broadcaster, joins the Wheat’s On Your Mind podcast to share a front-row account of how he built a rural broadcast empire from scratch, starting with a failing FM station and growing it into a multi-station powerhouse serving over 149 counties.  In this candid conversation,...

In this episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind , Aaron Harries sits down with Jane DeMarchi, president of the North American Millers Association, to explore the vital connection between grain and goodness.  Jane shares her rich family history in the baking industry, how NAMA supports millers across the continent, and what it was like to return to the organization at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

In this episode, we sit down with K-State wheat breeder Dr. Allan Fritz, a familiar name to many Kansas wheat growers, to talk about the science behind stronger wheat and better protein. Dr. Fritz shares insights from decades of research focused on improving protein and gluten strength—work that’s directly tied to wheat varieties grown right here in the Central Plains. We dig into the story behind...

In this episode, Aaron welcomes Alicia Boor, an agriculture and natural resources agent in the Cottonwood District in Kansas, and a vital member of the K State Research and Extension's Stress and Resiliency Team.  Alicia's work focuses on providing educational resources on stress, stress management, and resilience, particularly within the agricultural community.  Her efforts are crucial in address...

We explore how winter wheat contributes to improved crop yields, soil moisture conservation, and effective weed and disease management, drawing from K-State's long-term studies that demonstrate the benefits of winter wheat in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of cropping systems in Kansas. Aaron Harries and Dr. Romulo Lollato discuss: Yield Boosts : Discover how rotating crops with win...

Aaron Harries spoke with Vince Peterson, the president of U.S. Wheat Associates, who shares insights from his extensive career in the wheat industry and discusses his upcoming retirement in 2025.  In this episode, we explore Vince's journey, the evolution of the global wheat market, and his perspectives on the future of wheat production and trade. From his beginnings at General Mills to his leader...

We discuss the challenges of wheat production in western Kansas, the goals of Dr. Zhang's breeding program, and the advanced technologies being utilized to enhance wheat varieties. What we talk about in this episode... - Dr. Zhang emphasizes the importance of yield improvement and disease resistance in his breeding objectives. - He highlights the role of collaboration with local farmers and instit...

In this episode, Aaron Harries sat down with Brett Waltz, the Chief Marketing Officer of BAM Weather .  With extensive experience in weather forecasting, Brett has played a pivotal role in providing tailored forecasts that significantly impact various industries, particularly agriculture.  His insights into the current climatic conditions affecting Kansas wheat production and the recent historical...

We discuss the transformative potential of nanotechnology in pest control, focusing on its ability to reduce pesticide application rates while ensuring effective management of agricultural pests. - Nanoparticles can enhance pest control efficacy at lower chemical concentrations, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. - The current research targets nanoparticle seed treatments for Hessian fl...

In just a few years, the Ochs family of Syracuse, Kansas, transformed Plum Creek Farms from a small operation to over 15,000 acres, far exceeding the county average of 1,500 acres.  Heat how they did it! Start Small: Begin experimenting with regenerative practices on a small scale. Test different methods to see what works best for your farm before scaling up. Adapt Crop Rotations: Shift from tradi...

What You Will Learn In This Episode - The rebound in Kansas wheat production and its implications - The competitive landscape of the global wheat market - The impact of U.S. political changes on trade policies - Technological advancements in wheat production - The importance of educational initiatives in the wheat industry Rebound in Production Kansas wheat production saw a remarkable rebound in 2...

Arron Harries talked the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation's Tammy McClellan, and Stephen Graham.  They talked about the foundation's mission and the importance of funding wheat research were eye-opening.  We learned how this organization not only supports vital research but also creates opportunities for individuals and companies to contribute meaningfully to the future of wheat product...

Explore The Episode 219 Webpage We discuss the versatility of winter wheat, its economic advantages, and its environmental contributions, emphasizing the need to recognize its value beyond just grain production. Dr. Romulo Lollato is the Extension wheat and forage production specialist at Kansas State University.  He brings a years of knowledge from his extensive work in sustainable cropping syste...

Explore The Episode 218 Webpage In this episode, Aaron Harries sits down with Tim O'Connor, the President of the Wheat Foods Council . Tim leads the charge in promoting domestic wheat consumption and addressing the challenges posed by misinformation in the industry. With a focus on strategic marketing, he brings a wealth of experience from his role in the Council, which unites all segments of the...

Transforming Agricultural Education: The Future of the American Royal A few days ago, Aaron Harries had the pleasure of speaking with Jackie McCluskey, the President and CEO of the American Royal . With a rich background in agricultural economics and animal science, Jackie has been instrumental in steering the organization through significant changes, including the impact of COVID-19 and the excit...