Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!!

In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, I sat down with Kody Bessent; CEO of Plains Cotton Growers, to talk about the current state of the cotton industry and the policies shaping its future. We break down what Plains Cotton Growers does, how ag policy is developed, and the role of PACs and industry leaders in driving real change.

We dive into key legislation like House Bill 43, disaster relief programs, farm bridge assistance, and the "One Big Beautiful Bill," and how these efforts impact cotton prices, insurance, and producer stability. We also discuss major challenges facing the industry—from water issues in South Texas to infrastructure and market pressures—and how research, innovation, and policy are working together to move agriculture forward.

Finally, we look ahead to the future of cotton, including technology, market projections, and why keeping cotton strong in Texas matters for the entire U.S. economy.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:06 - Kody Bessent's backstory and Texas agriculture roots

03:29 - From agriculture to politics and the Mac Thornberry internship

07:48 - Early career with High Plains Water District and entry into ag

09:50 - What Plains Cotton Growers does and its industry influence

11:40 - One Big Beautiful Bill and its impact on cotton prices and insurance

13:39 - How agricultural politics works with PACs and lobbying

15:00 - Texas House Bill 43 and farmer relief efforts

18:29 - Cotton industry recovery and disaster assistance programs

24:20 - Cotton infrastructure and rebuilding gins in Texas

26:20 - South Texas water crisis and Mexico's role

28:10 - Policy, research, and cotton breeding to prevent crop loss

30:24 - Financial relief, land grants, and farmer support

32:15 - Plains Cotton Growers Annual Meeting highlights

36:40 - Tax reform and its impact on farmers

39:00 - Organic vs conventional cotton and product quality

41:18 - Agricultural policy efforts in Washington DC

45:21 - Cotton industry outlook for 2026

48:06 - Technology shaping the future of cotton farming

49:00 - Why cotton in Texas matters to the US economy

50:35 - Final Thoughts & Outro

Follow PCG:

Website - https://www.plainscotton.org/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/plainscottongrowers

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/plainscottongrowers/

X - https://x.com/PCGNews?s=20

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/plains-cotton-growers/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@plainscottongrowersinc.6855

Check Us Out!

https://wyliesprayers.com/

New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/

Socials:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/

X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers

Thanks For Watching!

#agriculture #cotton #legislature #WylieAgCast #cottonindustry​

Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!!

In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, I sat down with Dr. Suhas Vyavhare, Extension Entomologist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension based in Lubbock, Texas. From growing up around agriculture in India to serving producers across West Texas, Dr. Vyavhare brings a global perspective to one of agriculture's most misunderstood forces — insects.

In this conversation, we break down what an Extension Entomologist actually does, the battle between beneficial and destructive insects, and how entomologists act as ecosystem managers in cotton and row crop environments.

We dive into GMOs, gene editing, biologicals, pesticide chemistry, invasive species, and why extinction is not the solution when it comes to population control. We also explore current AgriLife research, risk mitigation for producers, and how better margins, not just better yields, shape modern agriculture.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:09 - What Does an Extension Entomologist Actually Do?

01:30 - From Farming in India to West Texas Fields: Suhas' Journey

03:25 - Entomology 101: How Bugs Shape Agriculture

05:13 - Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs: Why We Actually NEED Insects

07:29 - Insecticides & Pesticides Explained

09:00 - Climate Change Invasions & How Entomologists Control Ecosystems

12:26 - Cotton Flea-hoppers, Bollworms & Row Crop Battles

14:20 - Population Control: Why Extinction Isn't the Answer

16:45 - GMOs, Gene Editing & Seedless Watermelons: What You Should Know

26:06 - Inside the Lubbock AgriLife Research Projects

27:50 - Wild Cotton & Perennials: Why Human Intervention Matters

32:00 - Biologicals, Organic Farming & Why Conventional Still Matters

36:28 - Texas A&M AgriLife: The Hidden Powerhouse Behind Ag Research

41:28 - Better Margins, Not Just Bigger Yields: Managing Risk in Agriculture

43:32 - Learning & Pursuing a career in Entomology

44:20 - Water Minerals, Field Research & The Future of A.I. in Ag

48:54 - Final Thoughts & Outro

Follow Dr. Suhas Vyavhare:

Website - https://entomology.tamu.edu/people/vyavhare-suhas/

X - https://x.com/Dr_Suhas77?s=20

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suhas-vyavhare-613a4453/

Check Us Out!

https://wyliesprayers.com/

New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/

Socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/

X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers

Thanks For Watching!

#agriculture #cotton #entomology #WylieAgCast

Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!!

In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, we go behind the scenes of Wylie Manufacturing with Vice President of Manufacturing & Operations Stephen Rankin. We break down manufacturing from the user's perspective, the engineering process behind Wylie equipment, and why building products that are "too good" has always been the standard.

The conversation also covers supplying equipment for agriculture, municipalities, government agencies, and military applications, where quality and reliability matter most. We dive into supply chain challenges, precision technology advancements, and how Wylie is creating long-term career opportunities through partnerships with communities and schools. This episode offers an inside look at how Wylie builds equipment, develops people, and plans for the future.

Chapters:

00:00 - ESOP, New Role, A New Season at Wylie

01:36 - From Texas Tech to Entrepreneurship: Stephen's Story

05:00 - Garden City, Kansas: The Chapter That Shaped the Leader

08:24 - Taking the Helm: Transitioning to Petersburg Manufacturing

10:37 - Engineering Through the Operator's Lens

15:50 - Built "Too Good": Why Quality Comes First

20:00 - Beyond Agriculture: Serving Municipalities, Government & Military

21:23 - Navigating Supply Chain Challenges in a Changing World

27:22 - Opening the Door: Careers and Opportunity for the Next Generation

29:00 - Partnering with Communities & Schools to Build the Future

34:18 - Precision Technology & the Next Wave of Innovation

37:34 - The Vision Ahead: Where Wylie Manufacturing Is Going

38:00 - More Than a Job: Wylie as a Career Path

40:57 - Customer First: Building a Company of Experts

42:22 - Outro

Socials:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/

X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers

Check Us Out! https://wyliesprayers.com/

New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/

Thanks For Watching!

#agriculture #manufacturing #career #WylieAgCast