Flies, ticks, and parasites don’t just annoy cattle—they steal gain and profit. Recorded live at the Central Oklahoma Cattle Conference in Stillwater, OK, this episode features Dr. Jonathan Cammack (OSU Extension livestock entomology & parasitology) breaking down what producers should know about common pests like horn flies, how researchers test control tools, and why day-to-day management matters more than most folks think.

The team also tackles two headline issues: New World screwworm and the invasive Asian longhorned tick. Dr. Cammack explains why screwworm is such a serious wound pest, how sterile insect technique works, and why animal movement can spread risk faster than the fly ever could. Then they pivot east—where Asian longhorned ticks have been detected in Oklahoma—and discuss why explosive tick populations and tick-borne disease threats are a growing concern across the region.

Top 10 takeaways for producers

1. Pests “steal” performance quietly—stress and blood-feeding divert energy away from gain.
2. Screwworm isn’t a nuisance fly: it targets living tissue in wounds and can escalate fast.
3. Time matters: screwworm eggs can hatch in 12–24 hours, so delayed checks can get costly.
4. Animal movement beats fly movement—trailers move risk hundreds of miles in a day.
5. Sterile insect technique works because females mate once; scale and logistics are the challenge during outbreaks.
6. Asian longhorned tick can explode in numbers because it can reproduce without mating (parthenogenesis).
7. High tick loads can cause real blood loss, and tick-vectored disease is a growing regional concern.
8. Feedlots are a special concern due to animal density and the difficulty of visually monitoring every animal.
9. Good management beats extremes: not “once a year,” not necessarily “daily,” but consistent eyes-on and quick response.
10. Research behind the scenes is constant—colonies, susceptible/resistant strains, and field tests inform what works on your operation.

Detailed timestamped rundown

00:00–01:06 Dave Deken tees up Episode 507: flies, ticks, parasites; guest Dr. Jonathan Cammack; recorded at the Central Oklahoma Cattle Conference in Stillwater.
01:06–02:42 “Trip around the table” intros: Brian Arnall and Josh Lofton; setting the scene at the Payne County Expo Center.
02:42–06:56 Cammack’s role: OSU Extension livestock entomology/parasitology; what he covers across livestock species; why they keep fly colonies (houseflies, blowflies) for research and pesticide trials.
06:56–10:51 Colony realities: genetic bottlenecks, refreshing genetics from field populations; why “susceptible” vs “resistant” strains matter for chemical testing.
10:51–14:54 How trials work: planning population numbers; counting flies on cattle with visual estimates + photos; students doing image-based counts; “2000+” becomes the practical ceiling.
14:54–20:01 Screwworm basics: obligate parasite of living tissue; eggs hatch fast (12–24 hours); damage can be severe; regulatory questions around response/harvest are still evolving.
20:01–27:44 Control strategy: sterile insect technique; females mate once; sterile males overwhelm wild males; program history and why scaling facilities matters as the “front” widens northward.
27:44–30:40 Beyond cattle: wildlife, pets, and people can be affected; reminder that wildlife movement can complicate containment; key deer example in Florida Keys (2016–2017) discussed.
30:40–33:36 Other big concern: Asian longhorned tick found in northeast Oklahoma (summer 2024); parthenogenetic reproduction; potential for heavy infestations and disease-vector risk.
33:36–35:27 Wrap-up: “safe from the west (for now)” tone; thanks to guest; where to find resources (reddirtagronomy.com).

RedDirtAgronomy.com

Recorded live from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission booth at the 2026 KNID AgriFest in Enid, the crew sits down with Jeff Hickman—farmer, longtime ag association leader, Oklahoma higher-education regent, and former Oklahoma House Speaker—for a grounded conversation on where agriculture is headed and why local involvement still matters.

Jeff breaks down how ag organizations stay viable in an era of consolidation, why multiple commodity groups working together amplify agriculture’s voice, and how public policy and regulation increasingly shape day-to-day farm decisions. The discussion also hits consumer trust, social media misinformation (and how AI can muddy the waters), and why agriculture has to keep educating an audience that forgets fast.

They close with what Jeff sees coming next—trade uncertainty, the need for a dependable farm policy, and the importance of building relationships with candidates before they’re elected. Practical, candid, and very Oklahoma.

Ten Takeaways

1. Ag organizations are stronger together—shared support can keep smaller groups viable and influential.
2. Regulation is often the real battlefield, sometimes more than legislation.
3. Fewer rural/ag lawmakers means ag has to work harder to be understood in policy rooms.
4. Producer involvement doesn’t have to be huge—membership alone helps fund representation and benefits.
5. Markets can disappear even after great yields, driving tough planting decisions (sorghum example).
6. Wheat is in a strategy moment: “What’s our thing?” like corn has ethanol—new uses/value streams matter.
7. Consumer curiosity is a double-edged sword—interest is good, misinformation is rampant.
8. AI can accelerate fake “credible” ag narratives, raising the stakes for trusted education.
9. Rural issues resonate when you connect the dots (health care access, metro revenue, statewide economy).
10. Election years are relationship years—don’t wait until after someone wins to introduce agriculture.

Detailed Timestamped Rundown

00:00–01:44 — Episode open, setting: Oklahoma Wheat Commission booth at KNID AgriFest (Enid); introductions.
01:45–03:35 — Jeff Hickman joins; “many hats” across OK ag organizations and higher ed.
03:36–04:44 — Why shared management/back-office support keeps smaller ag groups viable and strengthens ag’s voice.
04:45–06:53 — Policy reality: more dependence on public policy + regulations; increased focus on agencies/administration.
07:03–08:52 — Jeff’s background: journalism/OU roles, media work, farm roots; “planting and harvest were my vacations.”
09:12–12:44 — Political pendulum swings; how DC trends show up in statehouses; fewer rural/ag-connected legislators.
12:45–15:54 — Consumer interest: good and hard; difficulty finding truth; misinformation and AI concerns; supply chain lessons.
15:55–18:29 — Global factors hitting ag (tariffs, shipping routes, even piracy) through a real-world retail/cotton example.
18:30–20:55 — Benefits/challenges of representing many groups; why having a strong government affairs team matters.
21:14–23:59 — What growers are facing: crop choice risk, markets disappearing, wheat’s future “what’s our thing?”; value of membership (and CFAP example).
24:00–27:33 — How to get more producers involved in leadership/politics; timing, family/team approach, candidate mentorship.
28:13–32:50 — Translating rural needs for urban lawmakers (rural hospitals example); rural dollars fueling metro projects.33:26–36:31 — Next 6–9 months: trade unresolved, farm bill/farm policy stability, election-year urgency—build relationships now.
36:32–38:11 — Wrap-up, thanks, and where to find resources.

RedDirtAgronomy.com

In this heartfelt and energizing episode of Red Dirt Agronomy, the team sits down with Dr. Kent Martin at the 2026 KNID AgriFest in Enid.
Kent, now a full-time faculty member at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, shares how he's bringing real-world agronomy into the classroom.
From digging soil pits to counting plant populations, his classes give students practical, hands-on experiences that prepare them to think critically and act confidently in their agricultural careers.
His teaching philosophy—bridging theory and application—stems from his years of experience as a farmer, consultant, and Extension professional.

The conversation also dives into leadership development, highlighting the importance of rural voices in community and national arenas.
Kent shares stories from his time on the Sorghum Commission and US Grains Council, emphasizing that sometimes the most impactful insights come from simply telling your story.
Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting out, this episode offers powerful reminders about the importance of mentorship, service, and authenticity in agriculture.
It’s a tribute to the value of showing up—on campus, in the field, or at the Capitol.

10 Takeaways

1. Dr. Kent Martin now teaches agronomy full-time at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.
2. His teaching style is rooted in hands-on, field-based learning to bridge theory with practice.
3. Martin emphasizes the value of students seeing and experiencing agronomy firsthand.
4. The podcast highlights the similarity between Extension and teaching in terms of impact and approach.
5. Leadership is not just about being in front—it includes being a supportive, informed voice behind the scenes.
6. Participation in national sorghum and grain organizations can lead to unexpected influence.
7. Farmers should consider stepping into advocacy roles—your story matters.
8. Teaching is a long game—seeing students “get it” is a powerful reward.
9. Mentorship and passing on leadership are recurring themes across all guests.
10. The Red Dirt Agronomy team encourages rural leaders to take time off the farm for personal and community growth.

Timestamps

0:22 – Introduction to KNID AgriFest 2026 and Dr. Kent Martin
2:18 – Dr. Martin’s new role at Northwestern Oklahoma State University
6:16 – Field-based learning and teaching agronomy by doing
10:07 – From Kansas State Extension to Oklahoma classrooms
13:02 – Comparing Extension work with academic teaching
20:31 – Serving on sorghum and grain boards nationally
24:03 – Recognizing and nurturing future leaders
33:45 – Stories of mentoring students into leadership
42:11 – Encouraging rural voices in policy and community service
46:42 – Why authenticity matters in agricultural leadership
47:30 – Final reflections and call to support rural communities

RedDirtAgronomy.com