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Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast

Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast

Written by: Brian Arnall Ph.D. Dave Deken Josh Lofton Ph.D.
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 The Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast is your source for in-depth discussions on agronomy explicitly tailored for the unique challenges and opportunities in Oklahoma and the Southern Plains. Hosted by a team of university experts, this podcast dives into soil health, crop production, pest management, and innovative farming practices, all with a regional focus. Whether you're a seasoned agronomist, a dedicated farmer, or simply passionate about agriculture in the Red Dirt region, this podcast offers practical advice, expert insights, and the latest research to help you thrive in your field. Tune in and stay connected to the heart of agronomy in the Southern Great Plains.2026 - Ag Now Media LLC Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • Hands in the Dirt, Minds on the Future - RDA 503

    Hands in the Dirt, Minds on the Future - RDA 503
    Jan 27 2026

    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
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    48 mins
  • Oklahoma Wheat: Research, Markets, & Rural Life - RDA 502

    Oklahoma Wheat: Research, Markets, & Rural Life - RDA 502
    Jan 20 2026
    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 takeawaysOklahoma winter wheat is a cornerstone crop economically and agronomically—and it still moves the needle statewide.Checkoff dollars are meant to act like a “marketing + research engine” for producers who are busy producing.Export market development is a major lever because a huge share of wheat demand is outside the local elevator.Producer education about checkoffs matters—refund requests signal a communication gap (Tom estimates ~6–8% refunded).Wheat’s residue is “soil armor” in Oklahoma—helping reduce erosion, slow evaporation, and improve water capture.No-till isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it system; it rewards deeper management—and wheat often anchors that system.Wheat and cotton can complement each other well in rotation, especially when you manage residue and planting windows.Research isn’t just yield—quality traits (protein management, fiber work) protect demand and create new value opportunities.Wheat success ripples through rural economies: equipment, parts, groceries, schools—everyone feels good crop years.Leadership in ag often starts the same way: somebody asks you to step up… and you decide to say yes.Timestamped Rundown00:00–00:01 — 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. RedDirtAgronomy.com
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    37 mins
  • The Big Debate: Stress vs. Deficiency In Crops - RDA 501

    The Big Debate: Stress vs. Deficiency In Crops - RDA 501
    Jan 13 2026

    Recorded live at KNID AgriFest in Enid from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission booth, Episode 501 launches Season 5 with a fast-paced crop check and a whole lot of agronomy banter.
    Dave Deken sits down with Brian Arnall and Josh Lofton to talk January wheat realities: dry conditions, odd winter insect pressure, and early reports of wheat diseases showing up sooner than anyone wants.
    They also hit canola concerns—like that purple color—and what to inspect right now (new leaves and crown health) as everyone looks ahead to green-up.

    Next, it’s go-time thinking for topdress: why timing, weather, and surface conditions matter—especially when warm days, wind, and dew can increase nitrogen losses.
    Then the conversation turns into a practical deep dive on plant physiology and decision-making: primordia (the “cells in waiting”), how early-season stress can differ from true deficiency, and why chasing genetic potential without respecting environmental limits can hurt ROI.
    If you like your agronomy with real-world nuance (and a little friendly arguing), this one’s for you!

    Top 10 takeaways

    1. January crop scouting can be misleading—weather swings can make fields look great or “go backwards” fast.
    2. Warm winter + dry stretch = unusual pest pressure, including armyworms in wheat.
    3. Early disease reports (tan spot, rust, powdery mildew) mean don’t assume “it’s too early.”
    4. For canola right now, focus on new leaves and crown—that’s your “are we okay today?” check.
    5. Green-up moisture is the hinge point for both wheat tillering and canola recovery.
    6. Topdress timing is a system problem (acres, co-op schedules) and a weather-loss problem (dew + warm + wind).
    7. If conditions are right to lose N (dry soil + dew/humidity + wind), waiting can be the most profitable move.
    8. A lot of management is about what’s happening inside the plant—primordia/cell division—before you ever see it.
    9. Stress can be useful; deficiency is where you start giving away yield potential—context (stage/goal) matters.
    10. The “right” program depends on your risk profile: protecting max yield vs protecting ROI on inputs.

    Detailed timestamped rundown

    00:00–01:15 — Welcome to Episode 501 + Season 5 vibes; shoutout to AgriFest and the Wheat Commission cinnamon-roll traffic.
    01:16–01:55 — Introductions: Dave Deken with Dr. Brian Arnall and Dr. Josh Lofton; “we were arguing in our office earlier…”
    01:46–02:10 — Recorded Jan 9, 2026 at the Oklahoma Wheat Commission booth during AgriFest in Enid.
    02:10–03:05 — Cinnamon roll banter + meeting listeners at the booth.
    03:07–04:20 — Crop update headline: it’s January, it hasn’t rained, it feels like June; armyworms in wheat; disease confirmations in SW OK.
    05:01–06:20 — Canola check: purple color mystery; focus on new leaves + crown health “right now.”
    06:35–08:10 — “Magic windows” talk: green-up moisture is critical for canola and wheat tillering.
    09:03–10:30 — Rooting + grazing: planting timing affects anchoring; some fields pull easier under cattle.
    10:45–12:55 — Topdress season starts early for many; best efficiency late Jan–March; avoid warm/windy/dewy days that can increase N loss (they cite “blow off 15–25%”).
    13:00–16:55 — What if winter doesn’t get cold? Daylength and growth timing; discussion on how wide the N window really is.
    17:00–22:10 — OSU NPK blog topic: managing “primordia” (cells-in-prep), not just what you see aboveground.
    22:10–25:20 — Corn example: by V6 you’ve set rows/potential kernels; stress/deficiency can reduce grain number.
    28:50–41:10 — Main debate: stress vs deficiency, “leaf deficient but not the plant,” and Liebig’s Law barrel analogy.
    44:20–48:10 — Genetic vs environmental potential, realized yield; precision vs accuracy; risk aversion (yield loss vs input cost).
    49:40–50:17 — Wrap + resources at reddirtagronomy.com.

    RedDirtAgronomy.com
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    50 mins
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