Wheat's On Your Mind

Private meteorologist and climatologist Brian Bledsoe joins Wheat’s On Your Mind to reflect on the surprising weather turns of 2025 and what Kansas wheat producers should be watching as 2026 approaches.  With a strong soil moisture profile and a well-established crop across much of the state, Bledsoe explains why early-season dryness may not spell disaster — especially as global weather patterns b...

Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh taught generations of farmers, students and elected officials how to think about “alternatives and consequences” in agricultural policy—and he did it with a cigar, a squeaky voice and a room full of laughter.  In this episode, host Aaron Harries visits with Jay Armstrong of Armstrong Farms and Dana Woodbury , executive director of the Barry Flinchbaugh Center for Ag and Food...

Farmer cooperatives built much of the grain marketing and input-delivery system that Kansas farmers rely on today—but what does that system look like now, and where is it headed?  In this episode, host Aaron Harries sits down with Brian Briggeman , director of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center at Kansas State University, to trace the cooperative story from railroad dominance and the Capper-Vols...

Senior Director of Advocacy at Kansas Farm Bureau—and sixth-generation producer—Ryan Flickner sits down with Aaron Harries to talk policy that actually touches the farm gate. From the Farm Bill stalemate and year-round E15 to trade philosophy and the real cost of inputs, Ryan shares how Kansas “punches above its weight” and why coalitions beat hot takes every time. He also lays out why protein’s a...

Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin sits down with Aaron Harries for a fast-paced, wide-ranging update on the state’s fall harvest and planting season. They cover it all — from field conditions and the importance of fall rains to how flexible winter wheat planting decisions can help farmers manage risk in a volatile market. Justin also shares insights on the ripple effects of the federal government shu...

In this special round-table edition of Wheat’s On Your Mind, host Aaron Harries welcomes the CEOs of Kansas Wheat, Corn, Soybeans, and Sorghum — Justin Gilpin, Josh Roe, Caleb Little, and Adam York.   Together, they unpack how Kansas’ checkoff and grower associations function, where the dollars go, and how their unified efforts help strengthen markets, research, and advocacy for farmers across the...

When crop prices are down and input costs are still sky-high, how are farmers deciding what to plant?  In this episode of Wheat’s on Your Mind , host Aaron Harries talks with Tanner Ehmke , Lead Economist at CoBank , about the tough decisions producers are making right now.  Tanner breaks down why wheat still plays a role in many rotations, even when margins are razor-thin.  He also explains how e...

Tritica Biosciences, a rural Kansas startup founded by Brandi and Dr. Chris Miller, is turning heads—and wheat germ—into revolutionary biotech.  Backed by a $29 million grant from ARPA-H, their mission is to create shelf-stable, cell-free protein synthesis platforms using Kansas-grown wheat.  Imagine insulin production powered by wheat embryos, all done on-site and without needing traditional bior...

In the latest Wheat’s On Your Mind podcast, Aaron Harries chats with Anne Osborne, Executive Director of the National Wheat Foundation, about the value and impact of the National Wheat Yield Contest.  Anne shares how the contest encourages U.S. wheat farmers to push for both higher yields and better quality, while also promoting innovation through tools like digital yield submissions.  Whether you...

This week on Wheat’s On Your Mind , we welcomed back Justin Gilpin and Dalton Henry for a robust roundtable on trade, tariffs, and the global wheat outlook.  They unpacked why current U.S. wheat export numbers are encouraging—especially for hard red winter wheat—and discussed efforts to regain market traction in areas like South Africa and Southeast Asia.  The team also reflected on how the U.S. i...

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...