OSU’s Jenny Dudak Talks Beltwide, Record Yields, and Upcoming Red River Crops Conference: As the cotton industry gears up for a new year, Oklahoma State University Cotton Extension Specialist Jenny Dudak is already hitting the road. In a recent conversation with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Dudak shared updates on her travels to the Beltwide Cotton Conference, a recap of Oklahoma’s exceptional 2025 harvest, and details on the upcoming Red River Crops Conference in Altus.
Headed to San Antonio for Beltwide Dudak is currently traveling to San Antonio, Texas, for the annual Beltwide Cotton Conference, one of the premier events for the industry. She noted that the conference is a hub for the latest agricultural research.
“I’m actually looking forward to hearing all the research that’s been going on across the Cotton Belt,” Dudak said. The event features student presentations, updates from university professors, and opportunities to network with industry representatives to plan for the 2026 growing season.
A Look Back at the 2025 Crop Reflecting on the recently concluded harvest, Dudak reported positive news from producers across Oklahoma. despite some concerns over pricing, the yields told a successful story.
“Yields were very exceptional this year across the state,” Dudak said.
She attributed the success to timely moisture. Although the season started wet, that deep soil moisture proved critical when the rain shut off later in the year, helping the crop “limp through” the dry spells. She also highlighted the importance of irrigation in Southwest Oklahoma, which played a major role in stabilizing production.
Variety Trials and Research Dudak is currently finalizing results from this year’s variety trials, with an extension publication expected to be released later this month. While full details are forthcoming, she hinted that Deltapine varieties were among the top performers at several locations.
Red River Crops Conference Set for Jan. 20-21 Looking ahead, producers have a major educational opportunity on the calendar. The Red River Crops Conference is scheduled for January 20-21 at a new location: the Altus Community Center.
Dudak described the event as “jam-packed full of information” for producers in the Red River region.
- Day 1 (Cotton Day): Focuses on insect management, variety trial results, and cotton-specific updates.
- Day 2 (Summer Crops): Covers other crops and broader farm management topics.
The conference will feature a “star-studded” lineup of speakers, including Dr. Amy Hagerman discussing estate planning and the farm bill, and Dr. Derrell Peel providing updates on cattle and wheat markets.
Registration and CEUs The event is open to all producers, and attendees can register at the door. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available through both the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF).
“It does seem like a lot of information has come out… kind of all at once,” Dudak acknowledged regarding recent USDA updates and program changes. “The conference helps digest all of that.”
For more information on the Red River Crops Conference or to see upcoming variety trial results, producers are encouraged to contact their local extension office.
