WOYM - 2025 Review: Kansas Leads the Wheat Fight Again

Wheat's On Your Mind

2025 didn’t fit in a neat box for Kansas wheat farmers—it was “variability,” from a dry start to long stretches of wet weather that stretched harvest timelines and narrowed fieldwork windows.  Kansas Wheat Commission Chair Derek Sawyer and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers President Chris Tanner join host Aaron Harries and Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin to break down the year’s biggest storylines: how wheat checkoff dollars are invested, what advocacy work is happening in Topeka and Washington, and what’s changing in domestic and international markets. On the market side, the conversation highlights both bright spots and headwinds—strong export pace and renewed market activity, alongside big global wheat crops pressuring prices.  The group also digs into one of the most important agronomic storylines of the year: widespread wheat streak mosaic virus pressure reaching farther across Kansas than many are used to seeing, and what that means for volunteer control, “green bridge” conversations, and variety development.  Looking to 2026, their focus stays on profitability—maximizing trade opportunities, doubling down on research and the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, and building an environment where family farms can thrive, not just survive. Top 10 takeaways 2025 was defined by “variability,” and weather stretched fieldwork windows in parts of Kansas. Some operations faced brutal wheat economics, including acres not worth harvesting. The wheat checkoff’s core mission is profitability, largely through research, breeding, and market development. Advocacy priorities stay centered on tax, regulation, and transportation, so wheat producers have a strong voice in Topeka and D.C. Kansas saw a meaningful production rebound (per the conversation), but global supply still pressured prices. Overseas customers keep emphasizing quality and consistency—and relationships matter as much as bushels. Wheat streak mosaic virus was a statewide storyline, raising urgency around volunteer control and variety resistance. The “green bridge” problem is getting harder, especially with tighter rotations, no-till, and cover crops. Input-cost discipline is the profitability lever farmers can control when market prices aren’t. 2026 focus: move bushels, fund research, expand markets, and push for conditions where family farms can thrive. Detailed Timestamps 00:00:01 – 00:01:10 | Welcome + who’s at the table Aaron Harries introduces the episode, the two Kansas wheat organizations, and guests Derek Sawyer, Chris Tanner, and Justin Gilpin. 00:01:10 – 00:03:19 | What the Kansas Wheat Commission does Derek explains checkoff stewardship (two cents per bushel) and priority investments: breeding, production education (including WheatRx), and domestic/international market development. 00:03:19 – 00:04:05 | What Kansas Association of Wheat Growers does Chris lays out the advocacy mission in Topeka and Washington, focused on tax, regulatory, and transportation policy. 00:04:05 – 00:07:19 | “Crop report” reality check: central vs. northwest Kansas Derek calls 2025 “variability”—dry start then very wet; harvest dragged out, field days were limited. Chris shares a tough year: the first time he left half the wheat crop unharvested due to poor yield conditions. 00:07:19 – 00:10:40 | Statewide crop + market picture Justin recaps the whirlwind year—organizational transitions, policy attention, and a statewide crop around ~51 bu/acre and ~350M bushels, plus exports running at one of the strongest paces in more than a decade (per the discussion). 00:10:40 – 00:12:20 | What overseas customers say they want Derek shares the repeated message from international buyers: U.S. wheat’s quality and consistency matter, and relationships need maintained. 00:12:20 – 00:15:01 | Policy roller coaster + “farm bill” conversation Chris outlines active issues (USAID/Food for Peace, USMCA review, Snake River dams, rail merger concerns). Derek notes more funding opportunities for international market access efforts, while Chris emphasizes the desire for longer-term certainty. 00:15:01 – 00:20:57 | Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) + the green bridge problem The group flags 2025 as a widespread WSMV year, discusses volunteer control, changing production systems (no-till/double-crop/cover crops), and the need for genetic resistance. Derek also previews the coming conversation around GM traits (including HB4 mentioned in the episode). 00:21:04 – 00:23:00 | Input costs + fertility decisions Derek and Chris talk about profitability being driven by controlling input costs, and how some growers are delaying fertilizer decisions amid volatility. 00:23:00 – 00:26:05 | Exports and trade outlook Justin points to new/renewed relationships and specific bright spots (agreements and follow-through in key markets; Nigeria’s return; caution about over-reliance on inconsistent buyers). 00:26:05 – 00:29:01 | Kansas leadership at the national level Discussion of leadership transitions and Kansas farmers moving through national officer rotations—plus why it matters for wheat’s future. 00:29:01 – 00:34:30 | 2026 resolutions + closing reflections “Maximize opportunity” is the theme: keep markets moving, invest in research and breeding programs, and aim for an environment where family farms can thrive. 00:34:30 – 00:34:53 | Where to learn more Contact and where to find past episodes. Kansas Wheat WheatsOnYorMind.com