Oklahoma wheat growers will get a significantly earlier look at Oklahoma State
University’s preliminary wheat variety trial results – well ahead of planting season – during the Oklahoma
Wheat Growers Association (OWGA) annual meeting Tuesday in Okeene.
This marks a major shift from previous years, when variety trial data was typically released later in the
summer which is too late for many producers to use when selecting seed wheat for the fall. The earlier
reveal gives farmers a critical edge with timely, research-based insights into top-performing varieties for
planting this fall.
“This is a game-changer for growers who rely on this data to make planting decisions,” said OWGA
Executive Director Jeff Hickman. “Sharing preliminary results now gives producers the opportunity to act
on the information while there’s still time to make decisions about seed wheat.”
The event takes place in Okeene, a hub for wheat production in Oklahoma. Activities begin with an
exclusive 10 a.m. tour of Mountain Country Foods, a pet treat manufacturing, packaging, and distribution
facility. The meeting itself will be held at The Corner Event Center, 101 N Main Street. Check-in opens at
11:30 a.m., with Oklahoma Ag Credit serving steaks for lunch at 11:45 a.m. The program kicks off at
12:15 p.m. and wraps up by 4:15 p.m.
The meeting is open to all wheat producers and agribusiness professionals. Registration is free for OWGA
members and only $50 for non-members, which includes a one-year OWGA membership. Register online
at oklahomaag.com or call 580-233-9516.
The afternoon program features:
- Variety performance results presented by Dr. Brett Carver, OSU’s world-renowned wheat
geneticist; - A presentation by Dr. Liberty Galvin on the rising threat of herbicide-resistant weeds in
Oklahoma wheat fields; - Updates from local agribusiness leaders, including Okeene Milling Company, Sooner Plains Ag
Cooperative, and Mountain Country Foods.
“This year’s meeting is about helping farmers make informed decisions that lead to better yields and more
profitability,” said OWGA President Dennis Schoenhals of Kremlin. “We’re excited to bring this data to
growers sooner when it can make a difference.”
The OWGA meeting is made possible in part by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, with support from
Oklahoma wheat producers through the wheat checkoff program. Checkoff dollars provide benefits to all
wheat producers in the state by investing in research and development of new, more profitable varieties
by the OSU wheat breeding team led, by Dr. Carver, along with domestic and international market
development leading to improved prices for Oklahoma grown wheat, and consumer and producer
education initiatives. For more information, visit oklahomaag.com or call the OWGA office at 580-233-
9516.
