Description

Episode 502 takes you straight to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission booth at the AgriFest in Enid—where the smell of fresh bread and cinnamon rolls is basically a tractor beam for farmers. 
Dave Deken and Dr. Brian Arnall sit down with Kay County wheat producer Tom Cannon, now a new Oklahoma Wheat Commission board member, to pull back the curtain on what “checkoff dollars” actually do. 
Tom shares the producer-side view of how funds support wheat research (better varieties, better quality, better management), expand export demand (he notes about half of Oklahoma wheat is headed overseas), and build ag literacy through hands-on education.

The conversation hits home on why wheat still matters in modern rotations—especially after drought and wind reminded everyone what bare ground can do. 
From no-till residue and moisture protection to the “wheat + cotton” tag-team, Tom makes the case that wheat is the foundational crop that holds systems (and small towns) together. 
And just for fun: you’ll also hear about the “drone posse” concept—proof that Oklahoma agriculture is equal parts tradition, grit, and innovation.

Top 10 takeaways

1. Oklahoma winter wheat is a cornerstone crop economically and agronomically—and it still moves the needle statewide.
2. Checkoff dollars are meant to act like a “marketing + research engine” for producers who are busy producing.
3. Export market development is a major lever because a huge share of wheat demand is outside the local elevator.
4. Producer education about checkoffs matters—refund requests signal a communication gap (Tom estimates ~6–8% refunded).
5. Wheat’s residue is “soil armor” in Oklahoma—helping reduce erosion, slow evaporation, and improve water capture.
6. No-till isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it system; it rewards deeper management—and wheat often anchors that system.
7. Wheat and cotton can complement each other well in rotation, especially when you manage residue and planting windows.
8. Research isn’t just yield—quality traits (protein management, fiber work) protect demand and create new value opportunities.
9. Wheat success ripples through rural economies: equipment, parts, groceries, schools—everyone feels good crop years.
10. Leadership in ag often starts the same way: somebody asks you to step up… and you decide to say yes.

Timestamped Rundown

00:00–00:01 — Dave opens Episode 502; Oklahoma wheat scale and value context; tees up the topic.
00:01–01:52 — Intro of Brian Arnall Ph.D.; episode recorded at the Oklahoma Wheat Commission booth at KNID AgriFest (Jan. 10, 2026).
02:05–04:07 — On-location banter: the bread/cinnamon roll operation, on-site oven, “follow your nose” traffic pattern.
04:10–05:23 — Call-back to Tom’s earlier appearance (mental health); stigma fading; “it’s okay to talk.”
05:47–07:52 — Tom’s path to the Wheat Commission board; why producer feedback matters; “their money” must be used wisely.
07:52–11:59 — What the Commission does: promote wheat locally + worldwide; support OSU research; board debate + shared intent.
12:01–13:35 — Export emphasis; Tom notes ~50% of production exported; “what would markets be without it?”
13:35–16:52 — Research examples: nitrogen timing/protein, quality improvements, fiber-enriched wheat; surprise: refund requests (Tom estimates ~6–8%).
17:07–17:55 — Why checkoffs exist: producers aren’t “marketing departments,” commissions fill that role.
18:00–21:25 — Wheat acres + rotations; drought lessons; wheat residue and soil protection; no-till adoption in Kay County.
21:25–24:45 — Cotton + wheat synergy; residue realities; why wheat after cotton works; harvest/header/residue discussion.
24:46–26:29 — Logistics: drill “following the picker,” gin/trucking systems to clear fields fast for planting.
26:29–28:49 — “Drone posse” business model; co-op fleet idea; custom work potential (moving north during fungicide season).
28:53–30:06 — Public-facing work: baking events, wheat quality promotion, school coloring books/education.
30:06–33:47 — Wheat’s ripple effect on rural towns (dealerships, stores, services); extra cents per bushel matters locally; OSU’s role.
34:17–35:58 — Upcoming advocacy: Wheat Day at the Capitol, Ag Day, DC visits; educating policymakers about food production.
36:00–36:51 — Wrap-up and where to connect with the show.

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