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

This episode hits the road to Wichita, Kansas, where the Red Dirt Agronomy team joins High Plains Journal Live and connects with growers, ag researchers, and industry leaders from across Oklahoma and Kansas.
Executive Director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Mike Schulte, joins the crew to share invaluable insights on wheat variety development, global markets, and the innovative ways Oklahoma State University's wheat breeding programs are shaping the future of the crop.

From dual-purpose wheat suited for both grain and grazing, to tackling issues like wheat streak mosaic virus, Mike explains how Oklahoma’s public wheat research and producer-led funding are creating solutions for modern farming challenges.
He also touches on exciting progress in high-fiber wheat development aimed at improving health outcomes, and how the commission balances wheat as a commodity and a specialized product.
If you're interested in market shifts, consumer trends, or how OSU is leading wheat innovation, this is a can't-miss conversation.

Key Takeaways

1. Oklahoma wheat breeders are releasing more varieties annually than most public programs nationwide.
2. The "Breakthrough" variety is helping farmers manage wheat streak mosaic virus.
3. OSU is the only U.S. institution actively breeding wheat for grazing-grain dual purpose.
4. High-fiber wheat is being developed to tackle major health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
5. U.S. wheat, including Oklahoma’s, is regaining global competitiveness thanks to favorable pricing.
6. Mexico remains Oklahoma’s top wheat market, with Ecuador and Peru growing fast.
7. The Commission supports clean-label initiatives by reducing gluten additives through better breeding.
8. Over 60% of Oklahoma wheat is expected to enter the export market this year.
9. Wheat marketing now focuses more on quality and end-use differentiation than in the past.
10. Publicly funded wheat research enables innovation tailored to Oklahoma’s unique conditions.
    

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro from the High Plains Journal Live event
00:57 – Meet Mike Schulte, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission
03:37 – Importance of showing up in Kansas: reaching more Oklahoma wheat producers
05:02 – Oklahoma Genetics wheat varieties and their adaptation ranges
06:15 – Breakthrough wheat for wheat streak mosaic virus control
07:54 – How the Commission’s mission evolved over 18 years
09:45 – Cleaner labels and gluten sensitivities: breeding better wheat
11:04 – Explaining wheat as a commodity vs. specialized crop
13:47 – Quality testing and how wheat samples are tracked
15:08 – International market expansion in Central and South America
17:07 – Why U.S. wheat is now competitive again globally
19:36 – Export vs. domestic usage percentages for Oklahoma wheat
22:16 – Grazing grain varieties and beef integration
25:08 – Public vs. private wheat research and OSU’s impact

RedDirtAgronomy.com