Wheat's On Your Mind

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...

Meet Our Guest In this episode, Aaron Harries speaks with Mike Beam, the Secretary of Agriculture for Kansas.  With a strong background in agricultural advocacy, including his previous role at the Kansas Livestock Association,  He leads the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), focusing on regulatory oversight, educational initiatives, and consumer protection, particularly in food safety and wat...

In this episode, we engage with Dalton Henry, the Vice President of Policy at U.S. Wheat Associates, and Peter Laudman, the Director of Trade Policy at U.S. Wheat Associates.  Together, they bring a wealth of experience in agricultural policy and trade, focusing on the implications of new technologies in the wheat industry. Their insights shed light on the evolving landscape of wheat consumption a...

In this episode, Aaron Harries speaks with Dr. Kelsey Andersen Onofre, an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University specializing in plant pathology and the impact of diseases on wheat crops.  We discuss the significant disease pressures affecting the Kansas wheat crop in 2024, emphasizing the challenges posed by stripe rust, leaf rust, and stem rust, along with the emerging threats of viral d...

A few days ago, Aaron Harries and Justin Gilpin had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Hines, a licensed commodity broker from Loewen and Associates .  Our conversation delved into the intricate world of grain marketing, risk management, and the global dynamics affecting wheat producers. Matt emphasized the importance of understanding market factors and developing effective marketing strategies to...

Five Takeaways Origins of Bread Wheat: Bread wheat has its roots in the Fertile Crescent, dating back 8,000 to 10,000 years. It emerged from the hybridization of two wild grasses, leading to the domestication of three types of wheat: Einkorn, Emmer, and Common wheat. This historical context is crucial for understanding the evolution of our food systems. Genetic Complexity: Bread wheat is a hexaplo...

In our latest episode, Aaron Harries spoke with Reid Christopherson, a man whose career spans military service and agricultural leadership.  Reid's journey from the U.S. Air Force to becoming the Executive Director of the South Dakota Wheat Commission is nothing short of inspiring.  (00:02) - Introduction to the podcast and guest (00:25) - Reid Christopherson's background and career (01:01) - Cong...

In our latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat, to discuss the current wheat crop amidst challenging conditions.  Justin offered valuable insights into how wheat breeders and scientists are improving genetics and enhancing yield potential.  With Kansas facing hot and windy weather, the crop's performance, though better than expected, varies due to...

(00:00) - Introduction to Wheat's on Your Mind Podcast (00:25) - Guest Introduction: Tim Raile and his family farm (00:47) - Brief history of Tim's family farm (01:05) - Tim's family migration from Moldova/Ukraine to Kansas (01:23) - Mennonites and turkey red wheat (01:42) - Catherine The Great and German farmers in Russia (02:08) - Genealogy research by Tim's sister (02:34) - Contemplating organi...

AgriPro Wheat website (00:00:03) Welcome to the podcast. (00:00:22) Jon Rich is introduced, with details about his background and family. (00:00:57) Jon shares how his passion for agriculture started with his grandparents' farm and his father's work as a wheat breeder. (00:02:14) He credits his mother for instilling tenacity in him, which is crucial in plant breeding. (00:02:36) Jon discusses his...

(00:00) Welcome and introduction (00:21) Andre's background and connection to Manhattan, Kansas (00:48) The reason for Andre's visit to Manhattan (00:54) Andre's experience living in Manhattan for his PhD studies (01:20) Andre's fondness for Manhattan and the wheat community (01:44) The founding of Andre's company Biotrigo in 2008 (02:01) The origins of Biotrigo and Andre's previous company (02:27...

(00:00) Romolo's surprise at the rapid development in the Mato Grosso region (03:38) Similarities between Brazilian and American farmers: love for their work and daily risks (04:46) John's impressions: homogenous soils, abundant rainfall, and productive capacity (05:56) Ken's familiarity with the southern regions and livestock integration (07:26) Chris's blind approach and realization of shared ch...

What is in this episode (00:00:03) Welcome to the podcast (00:00:25) Agro Connection is an international information portal connecting people interested in pushing the frontiers of agricultural knowledge. Its award-winning podcast has over 9000 downloads in less than two years, and its YouTube videos have reached 4600 subscribers and nearly 200,000 views. (00:00:56) Carlos Pires, one of Agro Conne...

Kansas Wheat Podcast Timestamps: Surviving a Tornado - The Story of Ken and Deb Wood (00:00:02) Introduction to the "Wheat's on Your Mind" podcast by Aaron Harries, featuring guests Ken and Deb Wood, who share their harrowing experience with a devastating tornado in Chapman, Kansas. (00:00:33) A detailed account of the tornado's impact, highlighting its EF four rating and the extensive damage it c...

KSwheat.com EatWheat.org In this episode, we uncover the innovative strategies and platforms used to educate consumers about wheat, its benefits, and the farming process. Specifically: The evolution and impact of  eatwheat.org , a program designed to bridge the gap between wheat farmers and consumers. How they leverage social media and digital content to target diverse audiences, from farmers to i...

Grain Craft’s Innovation and Quality Lab at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center in Manhattan Kansas Wheat WheatsOnYorMind.com