This episode of the Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast brings turf science to the forefront with Dr. Charles Fontanier from Oklahoma State University.
As the summer season sets in and Oklahoma’s golf courses and athletic fields buzz with activity, the discussion centers around the strategic development and management of Bermuda grass varieties bred to thrive in Oklahoma’s unpredictable climate.
Dr. Fontanier shares how OSU’s turfgrass research addresses winterkill, drought resilience, and the demand for tough, low-maintenance grasses that can still look good and perform under pressure.

From NFL stadiums to backyard lawns, OSU's impact is growing.
You will hear about standout varieties like Tahoma 31 and Latitude 36 and learn how science and collaboration have positioned OSU at the forefront of turf innovation.
Whether you're a turf manager, landscaper, or just passionate about keeping your lawn green through the extremes, this episode delivers insight with practical relevance.

Key Takeaways:

1. OSU's turfgrass program focuses on Bermuda grass improvement for diverse uses.
2. Oklahoma’s climate presents unique challenges for year-round turf maintenance.
3. Latitude 36, NorthBridge, and Tahoma 31 have reshaped the industry.
4. Tahoma 31 offers improved cold and drought tolerance.
5. OSU emphasizes broad adaptability for national impact.
6. Turf management varies significantly between homeowners and sports professionals.
7. Sod distribution networks are essential for local turf availability.
8. NFL and major stadiums use hybrid Bermuda for its resilience.
9. Turfgrass breeding today focuses on low-input, sustainable systems.
10. The economic and ecological stakes of turfgrass are deeply tied to local communities.

Timestamps:

00:02 – Introductions and episode preview
02:30 – OSU’s turfgrass breeding and management research
03:47 – Transition zone challenges and winterkill in Bermuda
06:06 – Turf management tips for homeowners and superintendents
08:13 – The rise of hybrid Bermuda for putting greens
10:36 – Development and applications of Latitude 36, NorthBridge, and Tahoma 31
13:05 – Trialing new varieties and OSU’s nationwide testing approach
17:35 – Seed vs. sod and local turfgrass availability
22:04 – Turf in sports stadiums and artificial vs. natural debate
27:04 – Maintenance economics and year-round field management
34:00 – Water-saving turf strategies and future of turf research

RedDirtAgronomy.com

In this episode of Red Dirt Agronomy, the team sits down with Dr. Jayson Lusk, Vice President and Dean of Agricultural Programs at Oklahoma State University, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of agriculture and leadership in higher education.
Dr. Lusk reflects on his journey from researcher to administrator, the challenges of guiding a land-grant institution, and how he stays grounded in the needs of Oklahoma's producers.
The discussion explores the evolving role of faculty engagement, the value of public communication, and how Extension can remain impactful in an increasingly digital world.

The episode also covers Dr. Lusk's strategic vision for OSU agriculture, including plans to revitalize off-campus facilities, launch a beef center of excellence, and leverage big data and AI to support producer decision-making.
With insights into the delicate balance of university leadership and the importance of staying connected with faculty and stakeholders, this conversation offers practical value for anyone invested in the future of agricultural research and outreach.

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership Through Service: Dr. Lusk's path to administration was driven by a desire to amplify impact, not personal ambition.
2. Extension Still Matters: Public-facing efforts like podcasts and producer engagement remain central to OSU’s land-grant mission.
3. Strategic, Not Micromanaged: Dr. Lusk emphasizes empowering faculty and fostering collaboration over top-down control.
4. From Data to Decisions: OSU aims to invest in tools that help producers turn data into practical, on-farm choices.
5. Modernizing Infrastructure: Upgrading aging research farms and facilities is a top priority to support future ag innovation.
6. Beef and Wheat Focus: Strategic investment is centered on Oklahoma’s two leading ag sectors—cattle and wheat.
7. Funding Realities: OSU’s ag programs benefit from strong state support, offering resilience amid federal funding uncertainty.
8. Collaboration Counts: Lusk believes faculty success drives college success—and that includes interdisciplinary teamwork.
9. Measuring Impact, Not Just Output: Dr. Lusk calls for better ways to reward high-impact work that goes beyond publication metrics.
10. Producers as Stakeholders: Oklahoma taxpayers fund OSU’s ag work, and deserve results they can see in the field.

Timestamps:

00:04 - Welcome and episode intro
03:16 - Dr. Lusk’s path from faculty to administration
07:08 - Strategic decisions in leadership roles
13:33 - Navigating university structure and transitions
18:42 - Measuring impact in research and extension
30:56 - Challenges and strategy behind the new OSU Ag Hall
34:28 - Dr. Lusk’s strategic vision for OSU Agriculture
38:24 - The future of ag data, decision tools, and AI

RedDirtAgronomy.com

In Episode 414 of the Red Dirt Agronomy podcast, the team dives deep into the current cotton season in Oklahoma with Dr. Jenny Dudak, Oklahoma State University’s Extension Cotton Specialist.
The conversation kicks off with a crop update from Dr. Josh Lofton, who notes mixed outcomes across wheat and summer crops, and a challenging planting season influenced by erratic rainfall.
Dr. Brian Arnall and Dr. Raedan Sharry contribute technical insights on soil nutrient conditions and weed management tactics.

Dr. Dudak shares her perspective on the cotton planting outlook across Oklahoma, detailing issues like thrips, herbicide resistance, and the narrow windows available for cotton growers in different regions.
She also discusses how new technologies and research, including residual herbicides and skip-row planting studies, could help producers cut costs while improving yield reliability.
The conversation closes with thoughts on the long-term viability of the cotton industry and its infrastructure in Oklahoma.

Timestamps:

(00:03) Welcome and podcast intro
(01:30) Crop update and planting challenges
(07:00) Weed control concerns in double crops
(11:45) Cotton planting status and early-season issues
(13:00) Scouting for thrips and weed competition
(18:00) Overview of Dr. Dudak’s background and research focus
(27:00) Cotton expansion into northern territories and risk factors
(38:30) Emerging cotton technologies and herbicide advancements
(41:00) Cotton vs. corn in southwestern Oklahoma

(45:00) Cotton infrastructure and future outlook

RedDirtAgronomy.com

This episode of Red Dirt Agronomy brings the guys together to tackle the stormy spring season in Oklahoma.
With wheat harvest creeping closer, sorghum and soybeans struggling for traction, and cotton still holding on to potential, the conversation focuses on the realities producers are facing in muddy fields.
Herbicide failures, crop emergence, and tight planting windows make for a strategic balancing act.

The episode also welcomes Dr. Tieneke Trotter, a visiting scientist from Central Queensland University in Australia.
Dr. Trotter offers a fascinating look into her work developing sesame as an emerging crop in the harsh northern regions of Australia.
Her perspective connects the dots between farming systems across hemispheres, from shared pest challenges to a global push for crop diversification and youth engagement in agriculture.

1. Rain continues to delay planting and disrupt herbicide schedules.
2. Wheat maturity and quality vary widely across Oklahoma.
3. Cotton growers may still have time to plant with minimal impact on yield.
4. Sorghum and soybean replanting come with increased risk.
5. Corn remains the most stable summer crop this season.
6. Dr. Trotter is researching sesame as a climate-resilient crop in northern Australia.
7. Pest pressure and herbicide resistance are significant concerns for sesame.
8. Crop judging programs are being revitalized in Australia.
9. Visiting researchers foster international ag collaboration and innovation.
10. Living in Stillwater offered new perspectives on U.S. ag life for Dr. Trotter and her family.

00:00 – Introduction and opening banter
00:54 – Oklahoma crop and field condition updates
03:12 – Herbicide challenges due to excess rain
05:30 – Sorghum and soybean replanting risks
06:18 – Wheat progress and patchy field reports
09:45 – Timing and temperature concerns for cotton
11:32 – Rain impacts on pre-emergent effectiveness
13:05 – Tips for replanting decisions and herbicide strategy
18:36 – Introduction of guest Dr. Tieneke Trotter
21:40 – Australian ag background and cropping systems
26:51 – Sesame as an emerging crop in Australia
32:00 – Pest management and weed pressure in sesame
35:45 – Crop judging revival in Australia
40:10 – Cultural insights from living in Stillwater
44:38 – Agronomy collaboration between countries
47:15 – Closing thoughts and wrap-up

RedDirtAgronomy.com

In Episode 412 of the Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast, the team is joined by Mark Hodges, Executive Director of Oklahoma Genetics Inc., for a deep dive into the vital link between OSU wheat research and Oklahoma producers.
With decades of experience in both academia and the private sector, Mark outlines how OGI ensures OSU’s cutting-edge wheat varieties reach producers and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

The episode highlights the impact of Dr. Brett Carver’s nationally and internationally recognized breeding work, the growing emphasis on quality traits, and the importance of adapting to Oklahoma’s diverse wheat production environments.
Listeners will gain insight into how public breeding programs like OSU’s can compete with private industry while delivering real-world value to producers both in Oklahoma and beyond.

10 Takeaways

1. OGI plays a vital role in connecting OSU wheat research to producers through variety promotion and licensing.
2. Dr. Brett Carver’s leadership has transformed OSU’s wheat breeding into an internationally respected program.
3. Quality traits like milling and baking performance are increasingly important in wheat breeding.
4. OSU wheat varieties dominate Oklahoma’s planting landscape, covering around 70% of acreage.
5. The breeding program incorporates feedback from both producers and end users, including millers and bakers.
6. OGI reinvests its revenues into OSU’s research programs, supporting long-term innovation.
7. Wheat production strategies vary across Oklahoma, from dryland to irrigated and forage-focused systems.
8. New varieties are developed with specific markets and applications in mind, not just general use.
9. Oklahoma wheat has a global footprint, with exports reaching markets across multiple continents.
10. The future of wheat breeding is bright, with continued innovation tailored to producer profitability.

00:00 – Welcome and intro to the episode’s focus
02:00 – Meet Mark Hodges, Executive Director of OGI
04:00 – The critical role of Dr. Brett Carver in wheat breeding
06:30 – How OGI supports OSU’s wheat program
08:00 – Industry-driven improvements in variety development
10:00 – Adapting to Oklahoma’s diverse wheat-growing conditions
13:00 – The dominance of OSU-bred varieties in Oklahoma fields
17:00 – The rising importance of specialty traits and end-user feedback
20:00 – Success in Texas and beyond
23:00 – Looking ahead: The future of OGI and wheat breeding

RedDirtAgronomy.com

This week on the Red Dirt Agronomy podcast, the "Doctor's of Dirt, & Everything That Grows From It" talk about the southwest corner of the state—where the cotton fields stretch wide and the water’s been mighty scarce.
Dr. Brian Arnall, Dr. Josh Lofton, and Dave Deken catch up with Maxwell Smith, the IPM specialist working boots-on-the-ground in Altus.
Maxwell breaks down the unique challenges of farming cotton in a region where irrigation depends on the Lake Lugert-Altus canal system—and where just a few inches of water can make or break your season.

They talk through the nuts and bolts of the irrigation setup, why cotton works (when it works), and what’s pushing some farmers to roll the dice on dryland corn.
You’ll also hear why herbicide resistance is bringing back “old-school” weed control, how new cotton trait tech like ThriveOn is changing early-season insect control, and what the future looks like for peanuts in Caddo County.
If you grow cotton, peanuts, or anything under hot skies and dry dirt, this episode's got your name on it.

[00:00–02:00] Max Smith on Altus, cotton, and canal-fed irrigation

[03:00–06:00] Allocation math, irrigation upgrades, and lining the ditches

[06:30–10:30] Cotton economics, price drops, and crop-switching trends

[11:00–16:00] IPM 101: Bugs, weeds, and managing the early season

[16:30–20:00] Trait tech: What’s working, what’s not, and what’s next

[20:30–24:00] Rotation talk: Corn, cotton, and keeping weeds guessing

[24:30–29:00] Peanuts in Oklahoma: acreage trends, water woes, and weeds

RedDirtAgronomy.com

Get ready for a boots-on-the-ground update straight from the Oklahoma wheat fields! Dave Deken, Dr. Brian Arnall, and Dr. Raedan Sharry sit down with Dr. Amanda Silva at the Chickasha Research Station to talk all things wheat — from field day opportunities, intensive and traditional management strategies, to the latest on planting dates, nitrogen management, and the importance of first hollow stem timing.
They dive into how small changes in management can make or break a wheat crop, especially after a rollercoaster weather year.

Hear the latest research insights, the real-world challenges facing Oklahoma wheat growers this season, and how producers are using tools like text updates to stay informed.
Whether you’re in the tractor, scouting fields, or planning for next season, this episode is packed with practical knowledge, expert advice, and a few laughs along the way.

Timestamps for the Episode

00:00 – Welcome from Chickasha Research Station and intro to field day insights
00:39 – Dr. Arnall: Why field days matter for producers and researchers
01:49 – Dr. Silva: Learning from producers and adjusting research
02:07 – Discussing wheat varieties and intensive vs. traditional management
03:51 – Stripe rust impacts and the power of fungicide management
06:04 – Making fungicide decisions in stressed wheat crops
08:06 – Current wheat conditions across Oklahoma
10:57 – Planting struggles and recovery after heavy rains
12:20 – Weed challenges and herbicide timing issues
13:32 – Planting date research: Extending the season into December
14:56 – Seeding rate findings and adjusting nitrogen management
20:39 – Yield surprises from delayed planting dates
22:23 – First Hollow Stem timing and management strategies
26:44 – New text alert system for Oklahoma wheat producers
30:15 – Final thoughts and wrap-up

RedDirtAgronomy.com

This week on the Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast, we dig into an exciting alternative crop with real potential for Southern Plains producers—camelina. Host Dave Deken is joined by Amanda Duvall and the Red Dirt dream team—Dr. Josh Lofton and Dr. Raedan Sharry—for an eye-opening discussion on how camelina is reshaping crop rotation conversations. From its weed control benefits and wide planting window to its growing market in sustainable aviation fuel, this oilseed crop is gaining serious ground.

Whether you're battling failed wheat acres, chasing new income streams, or simply exploring agronomic flexibility, camelina might just be your new go-to. Amanda breaks down the crop's adaptability to various tillage systems, its drought tolerance, and how it integrates with grazing and cover crop strategies. With harvesting before wheat and low input requirements, it’s a crop that offers profitability without complexity.

RedDirtAgronomy.com