This week on the Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast, we bring you a wheat-packed episode from High Plains Journal Live in Wichita with Aaron Harries of Kansas Wheat.
Aaron takes us on an incredible journey through the world of wheat in Kansas, including how railroads and immigrant farmers have shaped today’s production, and how cutting-edge research is transforming breeding programs.
He explains how tools like double haploids and gene editing are speeding up wheat variety development—and why the next decade may be the “golden age” of wheat research.

We also dive into Kansas Wheat’s education and outreach programs. From the targeted insights of Wheat Rx to the economic arguments behind “Beyond the Value of the Grain,” Aaron outlines a comprehensive strategy to support producers and inform decision-makers.
Add in the pressing threat of wheat streak mosaic virus and how “Fight the Mite” is helping growers combat it, and you've got an episode that’s as informative as it is essential for wheat growers across the Southern Plains.

Key Takeaways

1. Kansas Wheat is at the forefront of modern wheat research, embracing tech like double haploids and gene editing.
2. The Wheat Rx program is transforming how growers receive agronomic prescriptions for varieties.
3. “Beyond the Value of the Grain” highlights the agronomic benefits of wheat in rotations.
4. The “Fight the Mite” campaign is helping fight wheat streak mosaic virus via strategic management.
5. Kansas Wheat’s checkoff program funds research based on farmer priorities.
6. Grazing systems and volunteer wheat require a balance of economic opportunity and disease management.
7. There’s growing collaboration between Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado wheat researchers.
8. GMO wheat could soon help address viral diseases, but market readiness remains an issue.
9. Educating consumers on the health value of wheat is an ongoing challenge, particularly in light of social media myths.
10. Wheat is still vital to food systems—and its importance must be championed through research, outreach, and innovation.
    

Timestamps

00:01:58 – Live from High Plains Journal Live in Wichita
00:02:54 – What's on Your Mind podcast and wheat history
00:06:02 – Aaron’s role with Kansas Wheat and wheat research funding
00:07:38 – Double haploids and advances in wheat breeding
00:12:11 – Wheat Rx program and future of precision agronomy
00:14:16 – “Beyond the Value of the Grain” campaign
00:18:43 – “Fight the Mite” and wheat streak mosaic virus education
00:24:09 – Changes in Kansas Wheat and grower attitudes
00:27:02 – Collaboration across states and universities
00:33:08 – GMO wheat, new markets, and trade outlook
00:36:15 – Educating the public and combating misinformation
00:40:46 – The impact of social media and future outreach

RedDirtAgronomy.com

This week on the Red Dirt Agronomy podcast, the crew sits down with Dusti Gallagher, CEO of Heartland Plant Innovations, to explore how cutting-edge breeding tools are transforming wheat genetics.
From her Oklahoma upbringing to her role in driving biotech advancement in Kansas, Dusti shares the story of how HPI is helping breeders produce better wheat—faster.
Using double haploid technology, her team can deliver pure, stable genetic lines in just a year, dramatically reducing development timelines.

Dusti also introduces us to HB4 wheat, the first biotech wheat trait deregulated in the U.S., boasting drought tolerance and herbicide resistance.
With a strong focus on science-backed innovation and a respect for producers’ concerns about biotech, Dusti and HPI are helping bridge the gap between advanced research and on-farm value.
Whether you're a grower or just fascinated by crop science, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways

1. Double-haploid technology significantly reduces breeding time—often by half.
2. HPI specializes in creating pure wheat lines using early-generation F1 seeds.
3. The corn pollination method is used to initiate the double haploid process.
4. This method ensures genetic consistency without genetic modification.
5. Wheat breeding is catching up to crops like corn in the use of advanced biotech tools.
6. HPI supports both public and private breeding programs across the U.S. and internationally.
7. Speed breeding techniques and environmental controls enhance breeding efficiency.
8. Dusti Gallagher has deep roots in ag policy and wheat industry development.
9. HB4 wheat introduces herbicide resistance and drought tolerance through biotech.
10. HPI is positioning itself to manage biotech traits safely and transparently.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and High Plains Journal Live intro
00:42 – Meet Dusti Gallagher, CEO of Heartland Plant Innovations
03:02 – What is double haploid technology?
06:20 – How HPI cuts wheat breeding timelines in half
08:22 – Speed breeding, single seed descent, and environmental control
10:14 – Who HPI works with and what crops they support
12:38 – Genetic complexity of wheat and challenges in breeding
14:26 – GMO vs. double haploid breeding – clearing up confusion
16:48 – Collaborating with breeders like Brett Carver
18:19 – Dusti’s journey from OSU to HPI
21:03 – Is hybrid wheat finally here?
22:09 – HB4 wheat: The first deregulated biotech trait in U.S. wheat
24:34 – What’s next for biotech in wheat breeding

RedDirtAgronomy.com

This week’s Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast takes us to the heart of innovation in Kansas agriculture. We caught up with Ray Flickner at High Plains Journal Live, where he shared how his fifth-generation farm blends heritage with high-tech. From running three crops in two years to using cover crops for weed suppression and soil health, Ray’s flexible and moisture-conscious approach proves that success isn’t about rigid rules—it’s about adapting with intent.

The highlight? A deep dive into the Rain360 system—a mobile irrigation rig that’s helping Ray make the most of limited water across irregular fields. It’s not just talk; he’s cutting water use by 40% compared to local averages. If you're farming in the Southern Plains or just looking for fresh ideas, this episode delivers practical, tested insights you can take straight to the field.

Key Takeaways

1. Ray Flickner farms 1,000 acres with a strong focus on irrigation efficiency and strip tilling.
2. He operates with limited livestock in a region where integrating animals is logistically difficult.
3. Ray uses wheat as a functional cover crop to maintain soil health and “living roots.”
4. Cover crop termination timing is critical and must be adapted to seasonal moisture.
5. Rain360 is a mobile, above-ground irrigation system designed for irregular fields and low water flow.
6. The system can deliver both water and nutrients precisely where they’re needed.
7. Subsurface drip irrigation has helped Ray reduce water usage by approximately 40%.
8. Strategic use of irrigation timing and moisture sensors boosts efficiency.
9. The farm serves as a demonstration site for innovative irrigation practices.
10. Ray’s adaptive management style reflects a balance between innovation and practicality.

Timestamps

00:03:06 – Introduction to Ray Flickner and his background
00:04:25 – Ray’s family farm history and crop rotation strategy
00:07:04 – Strip tilling advantages and fertilizer placement
00:08:32 – Managing three crops in two years with limited moisture
00:10:58 – Cover crop strategies and moisture-driven termination decisions
00:14:41 – Installing and operating the Rain360 irrigation system
00:20:00 – Water efficiency challenges with limited aquifer access
00:26:49 – Beta testing setbacks and successes with new irrigation tech
00:30:26 – Subsurface drip irrigation’s impact on sustainability
00:31:47 – Closing thoughts and reflections on farming innovation

RedDirtAgronomy.com