Red Dirt And Round Bales

Dave Deken
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

Red Dirt and Round Bales is a podcast about the people, places, history, and everyday grit that shape rural Oklahoma. Built for listeners who love agriculture, small towns, country roads, and the stories tucked between wheat fields and cattle pastures, the show connects Oklahoma’s past with the lives of the farmers, ranchers, families, and communities carrying it forward today. Each episode blends rural storytelling, ag insight, and a deep sense of place — celebrating the red dirt, hard work, humor, resilience, and heart that make Oklahoma feel like home.

Episodes

  1. Route 66: Where Oklahoma Still Shines

    3d ago

    Route 66: Where Oklahoma Still Shines

    Route 66 turns 100 in 2026, and Oklahoma’s stretch of the Mother Road tells a story of rural life, small-town business, migration, preservation, and memory. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken looks back at how Cyrus Avery and Oklahoma helped shape U.S. Highway 66, why the road mattered to farmers and towns, and how places along the route built livelihoods from gas stations, cafes, motels, repair shops, and roadside attractions. The episode also reflects on harder chapters, including the Dust Bowl migration and the challenges Black travelers faced during segregation. From the Blue Whale of Catoosa to the Round Barn in Arcadia, the Rock Cafe in Stroud, and the Threatt Filling Station near Luther, this episode reminds listeners that history is often found in the places people drive past too quickly. Route 66 may no longer be the fastest way across Oklahoma, but a century later, it still carries the stories of the people and towns that made it matter. Key takeaways Route 66 was created in 1926 as a practical road, not a legend. Oklahoma played a major role in shaping the route and its identity. Cyrus Avery saw highways as tools for prosperity, especially for towns and businesses. About 400 miles of Route 66 crossed Oklahoma, making the state a major part of the road’s story. The road helped farmers, truckers, families, and businesses connect to wider markets. During the Dust Bowl, Route 66 became a road of migration and survival. Black travelers faced unequal access to safety, rest, fuel, and dignity during segregation. Postwar travel brought neon signs, diners, motels, and roadside attractions to life. The interstate era bypassed many towns and threatened Route 66 businesses. Preservation efforts helped turn the old road into a living piece of Oklahoma history. Detailed timestamped rundown 00:00–01:00 — Opening and centennial setup Dave Deken introduces Route 66’s 100th birthday in 2026 and frames the episode around Oklahoma’s connection to the Mother Road.01:00–02:10 — Why Route 66 was built The episode explains that Route 66 began as a practical road meant to connect people, towns, farms, trucks, and markets.02:10–03:32 — Cyrus Avery and Oklahoma’s role Cyrus Avery’s vision is introduced, along with Oklahoma’s central place in shaping and benefiting from the highway.03:33–04:13 — Dust Bowl migration and unequal travel The episode shifts to the Depression and Dust Bowl, when Route 66 carried families west. It also notes that Black travelers faced serious barriers during segregation.04:14–05:35 — Roadside business and postwar travel After World War II, Route 66 became a travel corridor filled with neon signs, diners, motels, attractions, and family businesses.05:35–06:58 — Interstate decline and preservation The arrival of interstates pulled traffic away from Main Street, but communities later began preserving Route 66 landmarks and stories.07:00–07:42 — The deeper meaning of the centennial The episode reflects on how Route 66 carried poverty, tourism, memory, and rural identity forward.07:43–08:06 — Closing and listener resource Dave closes by directing listeners to RedDirtAndRoundBales.com for more information. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    8 min
  2. Sorghum Fertility: More Yield, Less Guesswork

    3d ago

    Sorghum Fertility: More Yield, Less Guesswork

    Forage sorghum can be a practical summer hay option in Oklahoma, but producers still have to manage the line between more tonnage and safe feed. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken visits the question of nitrogen timing in forage sorghum with insight from Steve Phillips Ph.D. of Oklahoma State University. Phillips shares field research from Stillwater and Perkins looking at nitrogen rates, split applications, hay yield, protein, TDN, and nitrate levels. The results point to strong forage production potential, but also remind producers that nitrate risk is driven heavily by plant stress, erratic rainfall, and growing conditions. Key takeaways: Forage sorghum can make hay, silage, or grain and fits Oklahoma’s weather and livestock systems. OSU research showed yield increases up to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre in the trials discussed. Split nitrogen applications may improve efficiency compared with older nitrogen-per-ton assumptions. Hay quality held around 7–8% protein and about 60% TDN in the research. Nitrate levels did not exceed 3,000 parts per million in the trial, but drought stress and erratic rainfall can change nitrate risk quickly. Detailed timestamped rundown 00:00–00:10 — Opening from Oklahoma Dave Deken introduces the episode as a look at agriculture and rural life across Oklahoma.00:13–01:35 — Why sorghum fits Oklahoma The episode frames sorghum as a crop that does not need perfect weather or the richest ground. Dave explains that sorghum can produce grain, silage, and forage, making it especially useful for livestock producers trying to make hay during tough summer conditions.01:35–01:59 — The producer question Dave introduces the central management question: how much nitrogen does forage sorghum need, when should it be applied, and can producers push yield without creating nitrate problems in the hay?01:59–03:47 — Steve Phillips on nitrogen research Steve Phillips Ph.D. explains OSU research on nitrogen rates and timing for forage sorghum hay. Trials near Stillwater and Perkins showed forage yield increases up to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Phillips notes that yields ranged from about 9 tons at 100 pounds of nitrogen to about 13 tons at 200 pounds, suggesting split applications may offer a more efficient path than older recommendations.03:47–04:09 — Yield is only part of the story Dave shifts the focus from tonnage to feed value. Hay must be safe and useful for cattle, so quality and nitrate levels matter as much as yield.04:09–04:59 — Protein, TDN, and nitrate results Phillips says nitrogen rate did not create major differences in protein in this trial. Hay tested around 7–8% protein and about 60% TDN. Nitrate levels stayed below 3,000 parts per million, even at 200 pounds of nitrogen, which was below the level of concern discussed in the episode.04:59–05:41 — Weather still drives risk Dave closes by emphasizing the value of field research and the reality of Oklahoma weather. Phillips explains that nitrate toxicity is environmentally dependent, with plant stress, growth surges, and erratic rainfall playing a major role in nitrate accumulation. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    6 min
  3. Combines Roll Through a Strange Harvest

    5d ago

    Combines Roll Through a Strange Harvest

    Oklahoma wheat harvest is underway, but thin stands, dry spring weather, and global grain supplies are making this crop harder to read. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken visits with Pete Matheson of Matheson Farms near Billings, Oklahoma, about a wheat crop that has been all over the board — from fields in the 20-bushel range to others that may do much better. Dave also talks with Todd Hubbs Ph.D., Oklahoma State University Extension grain marketing specialist, about why a small hard red winter wheat crop does not automatically mean higher local prices, especially when global wheat supplies and export competition are still shaping the market. Key takeaways: A hot, dry March pushed wheat development early and limited tillering in parts of north-central Oklahoma. Some fields are thin, but larger heads may help offset part of the yield loss. Oklahoma wheat prices are being shaped by local basis, futures movement, and global supply. A short U.S. hard red winter wheat crop still has to compete with wheat from the Black Sea, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and later-season Australian production. Marketing decisions matter when yields are uneven and prices have already pulled back from recent highs. Timestamped rundown 00:00–00:52 — Dave opens the episode from Oklahoma and sets up wheat harvest across the Southern Great Plains. He explains that he has been visiting Oklahoma wheat fields while filming crop updates for the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.00:52–02:11 — Pete Matheson describes the crop near Billings as extremely mixed. Some wheat is running in the 20s, while other fields may be closer to 50 bushels. He points to an unusual March with very little rain and near-100-degree days that pushed the crop ahead too fast.02:11–02:47 — Dave thanks Pete and notes the fifth generation of the Matheson family was cutting wheat during the interview. He shifts from harvest conditions to the marketing decisions that come after the crop leaves the combine.02:47–04:22 — Todd Hubbs Ph.D. explains the wheat market picture. Oklahoma and Texas are dealing with a poor winter wheat crop, but global supplies and overseas production are limiting price upside. He walks through futures, basis, EU conditions, Black Sea wheat, North Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and possible El Niño impacts.04:22–04:59 — Dave closes by thanking Hubbs, Pete, and the Matheson family, then points listeners to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission crop update and Red Dirt and Round Bales. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    5 min
  4. Tracks That Built Oklahoma Towns

    May 29

    Tracks That Built Oklahoma Towns

    Railroads did more than move freight across Oklahoma — they helped decide where towns grew, how crops reached markets, and how rural communities connected with the rest of the country. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken looks back at the tracks, depots, grain elevators, and train lines that shaped Oklahoma before and after statehood. From the Katy and Santa Fe to the rise of wheat, coal, cattle, and oil, this episode tells the story of how railroads brought opportunity, pressure, movement, and lasting change to rural Oklahoma — while also acknowledging the cost to Native nations whose homelands were crossed and transformed. Top 10 takeaways Railroads shaped Oklahoma’s map by determining which towns grew and which ones struggled. Indian Territory was already home to Native nations with established communities before rail expansion. The Katy was one of the major early railroads pushing through Indian Territory. Depots became practical and emotional centers of rural town life. Railroads connected farmers, merchants, miners, oil workers, and families to a broader economy. The 1889 Land Run was not only a horseback-and-wagon story; trains brought many settlers to the edge of change. Wheat, cattle, coal, cotton, timber, and oil all depended on transportation to become larger economic forces. Railroad growth brought opportunity, but also land pressure, lawsuits, speculators, and harm to Native nations. The rise of cars, roads, pipelines, and buses reduced the railroad’s role in daily small-town life. Oklahoma’s rail story still lives in freight movement, grain shipping, old depots, abandoned tracks, and the Heartland Flyer. Detailed timestamped rundown 00:00–00:42 — Opening and personal railroad memory Dave opens with the image of old tracks cutting through Oklahoma towns and remembers growing up where two train lines divided part of town from the rest.00:44–01:21 — Tracks as clues to Oklahoma’s past The episode shifts from personal memory to the bigger idea: in Oklahoma, railroads did not just move goods; they helped determine where towns would grow.01:22–02:25 — Indian Territory before the railroads Dave emphasizes that what became Oklahoma was not an empty map. Native nations had governments, farms, schools, laws, newspapers, and communities before rail lines entered the story.02:27–03:13 — The Katy pushes south The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway — known as the Katy — moves into Indian Territory in the early 1870s, seeking routes, cattle, coal, timber, cotton, grain, and passengers.03:14–04:33 — Depots become the heartbeat of town The episode explains how trains changed time, distance, commerce, mail, travel, newspapers, schooling, soldiers’ departures, and family goodbyes.04:34–05:12 — Railroads make towns, not just serve them Dave explains that a settlement missed by the railroad could decline, while towns near the tracks could shift their entire center of gravity toward the depot.05:13–05:58 — The 1889 Land Run and arrival by train The land run is usually pictured with horses and wagons, but many people arrived by train, stepping off platforms with families, tools, hopes, and uncertainty.05:59–06:35 — Boom years and expanding rail lines From the 1890s into statehood, major lines and smaller railroads spread across Oklahoma, chasing coal, wheat, cotton, cattle, and oil.06:37–07:05 — Railroads and the oil economy Dave connects railroads to oil development, noting that wells mattered only if the product, equipment, workers, tanks, and barrels could move.07:06–07:42 — Progress and pain together The episode pauses to hold both truths: railroads helped build Oklahoma’s economy, but they also brought settlers, speculators, lawsuits, land fights, and deeper losses for Native nations.07:44–08:43 — Oklahoma’s rail peak and decline By 1920, Oklahoma had more than 6,500 miles of track. Then automobiles, roads, pipelines, buses, hard times, and abandoned branch lines changed daily life.08:45–09:13 — Railroads never fully leave Freight still moves across Oklahoma, grain still ships, industries still depend on rail, and the Heartland Flyer carries passenger rail into the present.09:15–10:22 — Closing reflection Dave closes with the image of old tracks, depots, grain elevators, and the railroad’s role in telling Oklahoma where to grow. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    11 min
  5. Stocking Rates: Don’t Spend Next Year’s Grass

    May 28

    Stocking Rates: Don’t Spend Next Year’s Grass

    How much grazing pressure is too much? In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken looks at that question with insight from Laura Goodman Ph.D., Oklahoma State University Extension specialist for rangeland ecology. The episode breaks grazing pressure down into practical ranch terms: how much forage is available, how much can safely be used, how long cattle stay, and whether the pasture has enough recovery time. The biggest reminder is that grazing pressure is not just a head count. Cattle distribution, drought, water and shade placement, patch burning, rest periods, bare ground, plant recovery, and harvest efficiency all matter. Goodman explains why stocking rate decisions should protect the plant and the soil, not just feed the cow today. For Oklahoma ranchers, the episode offers a grounded way to look at pastures as living systems where every bite is a withdrawal and every rest period is a deposit. Key takeaways: Grazing pressure is the relationship between mouths, forage, time, and recovery. Cattle do not graze evenly, so overgrazing can happen in specific areas even when the whole pasture looks fine. A practical stocking-rate goal is to use about 25% of available productivity for livestock while leaving enough forage for the plant, soil cover, and natural losses. Drought increases grazing pressure even if cattle numbers stay the same. Bare ground, shorter desirable grasses, weeds, poor regrowth, and runoff are signs the pasture may be under stress. Detailed Timestamped Rundown 00:00–00:09 — Dave Deken opens the episode and frames it around Oklahoma agriculture and rural life.00:12–02:18 — The episode introduces the central question: how much grazing pressure is too much? Dave explains that the real issue is not how many cows can be squeezed into a pasture, but what the pasture can handle right now, given forage, rainfall, cattle numbers, and the time needed for recovery.02:18–02:58 — Laura Goodman Ph.D. explains how patch burning can help balance forage quality and rest. Burning a rested patch draws cattle to higher-quality regrowth and helps move grazing pressure away from other areas.02:58–03:13 — Dave emphasizes that grazing pressure is not only about what cattle consume. What remains behind matters too: leaf area, soil cover, and roots that help catch rainfall.03:14–05:06 — The episode unpacks why “take half, leave half” can be misleading. Producers still need to account for trampling, wildlife and insects, plant needs, soil protection, forage estimates, cattle class, time of year, and rest periods.05:06–05:34 — Goodman explains the stocking-rate goal of using about 25% of available productivity for the cow, losing some to the environment or soil return, and leaving about 50% with the plant.05:34–06:22 — Dave lists pasture warning signs: desirable grasses getting shorter, cattle grazing regrowth too soon, bare ground increasing, water running off instead of soaking in, and pastures greening up after rain without rebuilding strength.06:23–07:59 — The episode closes by tying grazing decisions to Oklahoma weather risk. In dry years, the same number of cattle creates more pressure because there is less forage. Dave ends with the idea that a pasture is a living account: every bite is a withdrawal, and every rest is a deposit. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    8 min
  6. Oklahoma Wheat: Hope Versus Weather

    May 27

    Oklahoma Wheat: Hope Versus Weather

    Oklahoma wheat harvest is arriving early after a dry, uneven season that left producers weighing grain, forage, and risk field by field. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken reflects on eight weeks of wheat tour stops across Oklahoma, from the Red River country to north-central Oklahoma and the Panhandle. The 2026 crop tells a hard story: USDA numbers point to a short crop, while field observations show thin stands, uneven rainfall, drought stress, disease pressure, and some acres already headed toward hay or grazing instead of the combine. Dave looks at what this wheat crop is teaching about rain timing, planting date, variety maturity, residue, no-till ground, scouting, wind risk, and producer resilience. Along the way, he shares how Oklahoma farmers keep showing up, even when the sky does not hold up its end of the bargain. Key takeaways: Oklahoma’s 2026 wheat crop is highly variable, with conditions changing sharply from field to field. Rain timing mattered as much as rainfall totals, especially for late-planted or later-maturing wheat. Drought stress opened the door for disease, insects, weeds, and tough harvest decisions. Early harvest, shortened grain fill, hot wind, and shatter-prone varieties could cost bushels if fields are not cut on time. The season reinforced hard lessons about scouting, residue, rotation, planting date, and variety maturity. Detailed timestamped rundown 00:00–00:17 — Opening and setup Dave Deken opens the episode with the promise of a look at Oklahoma agriculture and rural life, then sets up the main idea: this was not a uniform wheat year.00:18–01:15 — A statewide wheat tour Dave describes eight weeks of wheat tour stops stretching from Cookietown in southern Oklahoma to Cherokee in the north and Hooker in the Panhandle, a route that would have covered roughly 750 miles if driven in one run.01:15–02:05 — A short crop by the numbers The episode compares USDA’s May winter wheat forecast with the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association’s tougher estimate. Both point to the same conclusion: Oklahoma is looking at a short wheat crop.02:05–02:55 — Southwest Oklahoma stress Fields around Altus, Walters, Chickasha, and Cotton County carried the effects of dry fall conditions, winter warmth, and spring heat. Some stands were short, uneven, and limited in tillers, and some fields had already shifted toward hay or grazing.02:55–03:35 — Central Oklahoma pockets worth protecting Around Apache, El Reno, and parts of Caddo and Washita Counties, Dave notes that some fields still had enough yield potential to justify careful management, scouting, and disease decisions.03:35–04:10 — Variability, no-till, and maturity timing In areas such as Kingfisher, Homestead, Lahoma, Seiling, and Canton, variability becomes the main word. Rain path, planting date, variety maturity, and moisture-holding capacity all mattered.04:10–04:45 — Disease, pests, and thin stands The episode connects drought stress with added pressure from barley yellow dwarf, wheat streak mosaic, leaf rust, aphids, mites, armyworms, and weeds in thin stands.04:45–05:10 — Western Oklahoma and harvest urgency Out toward Balko, Hooker, and the Panhandle, the crop simply ran out of chances in some places. Dave also flags the risk of smaller kernels, shortened grain fill, hot wind, and shattering as harvest arrives early.05:13–07:13 — What the crop teaches Dave reflects on weather as the biggest variable in wheat production and price, quoting Kim Anderson’s longtime point about weather risk. The episode closes around hard-earned lessons in residue, rotation, planting date, variety maturity, scouting, and farmer resilience.07:14–07:30 — The Oklahoma optimism line Dave compares wheat farmers’ outlook to OSU Cowboy football optimism: the best years are 1945, 2011, and next year.07:31–07:47 — Closing callout Dave directs listeners to learn more about his trip documenting the 2026 Oklahoma wheat crop and closes the episode. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    8 min
  7. Why Oklahoma’s Panhandle Feels Different

    May 22

    Why Oklahoma’s Panhandle Feels Different

    This week on Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken heads west with his daughter Molly for a wheat-checking trip across the Oklahoma Panhandle. What starts with windshield time, field video, Slapout stories, Lake Optima, Guymon, Hooker, and a stop in Forgan for Hank the Cowdog turns into a deeper look at one of Oklahoma’s most fascinating regions. The episode traces how the Panhandle went from No Man’s Land to Cimarron Territory to three Oklahoma counties built on grass, grain, cattle, water, weather, and grit. It’s part history lesson, part agricultural reflection, and part love letter to a place where the sky is wide, the wind is honest, and the people have had to endure more than most. Key takeaways The Oklahoma Panhandle is not just an odd shape on the map; it has one of the most unusual histories in the state. For about 40 years, the area now known as the Panhandle was unattached to any state or territorial government, which helped give it the name No Man’s Land. The Oklahoma Historical Society describes it as a 34.5-by-167-mile strip that was unattached from 1850 to 1890. The Panhandle’s agricultural story has always centered on grass, grain, cattle, water, weather, and grit. Wheat, cattle, grain sorghum, feedlots, pork production, and natural gas all helped shape the modern Panhandle economy. The Panhandle’s Indigenous history predates state lines, county names, trails, ranches, and settlements. The Dust Bowl was more than drought; it was a human, agricultural, and community crisis. The Oklahoma Historical Society notes that Oklahoma’s Panhandle was hit hardest by Dust Bowl drought. Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver Counties carry much of the region’s history, from ranching and wheat to small towns and long distances. The episode works because it blends personal story with place-based history: a dad, a daughter, a wheat trip, and a region that still feels different. The Forgan/Hank the Cowdog moment gives the episode emotional warmth and makes the history feel personal. The strongest theme is that Oklahoma places become meaningful because families keep choosing them, working them, and telling their stories. Timestamped Rundown  00:00–00:35 — The odd shape of the Oklahoma Panhandle Dave opens by describing the long, skinny strip of Oklahoma tucked under Kansas and Colorado and above Texas, setting up the Panhandle as one of the state’s most unusual places.00:35–01:10 — Wheat scouting across the state He explains that he has been traveling Oklahoma to look at the wheat crop and produce updates for the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, with this trip focused on the Panhandle.01:10–02:05 — Molly joins the road trip west Dave shares that he brought his 11-year-old daughter Molly along as they crossed into Beaver County, talked about Slapout, stopped for a selfie, and gathered wheat video near Balko.02:05–02:55 — Lake Optima, Guymon, Hooker, and wheat fields The trip continues through Lake Optima, Guymon, Texas County, Cimarron County, Hooker, and more Panhandle wheat stops.02:55–03:35 — Forgan and Hank the Cowdog The personal heart of the episode comes when Molly sees Forgan’s Hank the Cowdog connection, giving Dave a father-daughter moment worth remembering.03:35–04:20 — Why the Panhandle feels different Dave shifts into the feel of the place: bigger sky, more wind, distant towns, grain elevators, and land that does not hand out easy livings.04:20–05:30 — No Man’s Land explained The history begins with the boundary decisions that left the Panhandle outside Texas, Kansas, and organized territory. Dave explains how it became known as No Man’s Land.05:30–06:25 — People, trails, cattle, and limited law Dave describes the Indigenous history, Santa Fe Trail connections, traders, cattlemen, ranches, and families who lived there before formal government arrived.06:25–07:15 — Cimarron Territory and self-government Settlers tried to organize their own territory in the 1880s so they could register land claims, settle disputes, and bring order to the region, but Congress never fully accepted it.07:15–08:00 — Beer City and ghost towns The episode turns to rough settlements like Beer City, along with the saloons, drifters, dreamers, town builders, and disappearing communities that marked Panhandle history.08:00–08:55 — Becoming part of Oklahoma In 1890, No Man’s Land was attached to Oklahoma Territory. After statehood in 1907, it became Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver Counties.08:55–09:55 — Agriculture built the Panhandle Dave explains how the Panhandle economy came to rest on grass, grain, cattle, water, weather, and grit, with wheat, cattle, sorghum, feedlots, hogs, natural gas, and large-scale agriculture shaping the region.09:55–11:00 — Dust Bowl hardship and adaptation The Dust Bowl section describes black skies, dirt in homes, failed crops, suffering families, and farms lost — but also the people who stayed, adapted to dryland farming, rebuilt, and kept communities alive.11:00–11:45 — From overlooked land to Oklahoma resilience Dave reflects on how the Panhandle was underestimated by mapmakers, politicians, weather, and markets, yet people still built lives, towns, schools, wheat fields, stockyards, and roots there.11:45–12:07 — Closing: the Panhandle became home The episode closes by tying the history back to the road trip with Molly and the idea that No Man’s Land became something much stronger: home. Dave directs listeners to RedDirtAndRoundBales.com and signs off. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    12 min
  8. Oklahoma Wheat: A Century of Breeding

    May 22

    Oklahoma Wheat: A Century of Breeding

    This week on Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken looks at one of Oklahoma agriculture’s most important crops: wheat.  The episode features a conversation with Brett Carver Ph.D., who leads Oklahoma State University’s wheat breeding work, about how Oklahoma wheat varieties are developed and why the process takes years of selection, testing, and patience. The conversation starts with the early history of wheat breeding in Oklahoma, including Joseph Danne and the variety Triumph, then moves into OSU’s public breeding program and the practical challenges that make Oklahoma wheat different.  From dual-purpose wheat and cattle grazing to acid soil tolerance and the stress of planting early, this episode shows why one wheat seed can carry decades of science — and why that work matters to farmers, harvest crews, rural businesses, and small-town Oklahoma. Key takeaways: Oklahoma wheat breeding has roots going back more than a century, including early farmer-led crosses that helped produce Triumph. Public wheat breeding is a long game; Carver describes it as roughly a 10-year cycle from cross to useful variety. Dual-purpose wheat matters in Oklahoma because many producers use wheat for both cattle grazing and grain. Breeding for Oklahoma means preparing varieties for early planting, acid soils, weather stress, and the Southern Great Plains environment. One wheat seed can represent decades of science, selection, and farmer-focused decision-making. Timestamped rundown 00:00:00–00:01:08 — Opening: why Oklahoma wheat matters Dave opens the episode by explaining that wheat is Oklahoma’s largest planted crop by acreage and that its impact stretches beyond grain sales to harvest crews, equipment service, rural meals, and local businesses. He introduces his conversation with Brett Carver Ph.D. about OSU wheat breeding. 00:01:08–00:01:35 — The first Oklahoma wheat crosses Carver explains that one of the first wheat crosses tied to Oklahoma was made by farmer Joseph Danne in the early 1920s, leading into the development of Triumph. 00:01:35–00:02:51 — OSU enters wheat breeding Dave notes that OSU’s formal wheat breeding work came later. Carver discusses Dr. Schlehuber, federal and state breeding work, OSU’s program history, and why limited turnover matters in a crop where variety development takes years. 00:02:51–00:03:56 — Oklahoma’s dual-purpose wheat opportunity Dave explains Oklahoma’s unique geography and milder winters, which allow wheat to serve as both forage and grain. Carver describes seeing a gap: Oklahoma producers were grazing wheat, but breeding programs were not fully focused on that dual-purpose system. 00:03:56–00:04:17 — Breeding for trouble: early planting and acid soils Carver explains that planting wheat six weeks earlier creates problems that varieties must be bred to handle. He also points to acid soil tolerance as an area that needed more genetic attention in the Southern Great Plains. 00:04:17–00:04:59 — Closing: one seed, many people Dave closes by reflecting on how decades of wheat science inside one seed can affect producers, small towns, and people around the world when that seed grows from Oklahoma red dirt. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    5 min
  9. Early Harvest, Small Kernels, Big Stakes

    May 21

    Early Harvest, Small Kernels, Big Stakes

    This week on Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken checks in on an Oklahoma wheat harvest that is arriving ahead of schedule. In mid-May, the combines that are usually rolling south toward Texas are already finding wheat ready to cut in Oklahoma, with early activity reported near Okarche and harvesters moving into a crop that has been pushed hard by drought and fast maturity. Dave visits with Amanda Silva Ph.D., Oklahoma State University Extension small grains specialist, at the Lahoma Field Day about what this year’s crop is showing. Silva says the crop is rough overall, but not uniformly bad. Some pockets still look better than expected where timely rainfall lined up with planting date, variety maturity, and grain fill. The episode gives producers a practical reminder: watch fields closely, especially early-maturing varieties, because Oklahoma wind and dry weather can turn wheat quickly and increase shattering losses. Key takeaways: The 2026 Oklahoma wheat harvest is running ahead of a normal mid-May schedule. Rainfall timing, planting date, and variety maturity are driving major yield differences across the state. Some fields have already been abandoned, grazed out, or hayed because drought reduced yield potential. Shortened grain fill may lead to smaller kernels in parts of the crop. Early-maturing varieties may need extra attention because wind and shattering can cost producers grain at harvest. **Timestamped rundown 00:00:00–00:00:08 — Opening theme and show introduction Dave Deken opens the episode with a quick welcome to Red Dirt and Round Bales, focused on Oklahoma agriculture and rural life. 00:00:12–00:01:07 — An early Oklahoma wheat harvest Dave explains that in a typical mid-May, custom harvesters are often headed south on highways like US 183, US 81, and US 283 toward Texas. This year, Oklahoma wheat is already moving into bins, with some of the first combines seen near Okarche two Fridays earlier. 00:01:07–00:01:46 — Lahoma shows pockets of better wheat Amanda Silva Ph.D. says it has been a rough year because of dry conditions, but she has still seen pockets of wheat that look better than expected. She notes that Lahoma does not have normal yield potential, but considering the limited water, some fields still look encouraging. 00:01:46–00:02:18 — Rainfall timing created a variable crop Dave notes that Oklahoma crops are rarely uniform, and Silva explains that yield differences depend heavily on where rain fell, when it arrived, planting date, and variety maturity. 00:02:18–00:03:07 — Smaller kernels and reduced acres Silva says the shortened grain-fill period may lead to smaller kernels. She also expects a major reduction in harvested acres because many fields have already been abandoned, grazed out, or hayed. 00:03:07–00:04:05 — Harvest advice: watch maturity and shattering Silva says the wheat is turning fast, especially early-maturing varieties. She advises producers to pay close attention to harvest timing because windy conditions can increase shattering and leave grain on the ground. 00:04:05–00:04:58 — Closing: a crop with sweat and tears in it Dave closes by saying this Oklahoma wheat crop is one for the books. Projected numbers are down, but producers continue to care for the crop because the world needs wheat. Red Dirt And Round Bales website

    5 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Red Dirt and Round Bales is a podcast about the people, places, history, and everyday grit that shape rural Oklahoma. Built for listeners who love agriculture, small towns, country roads, and the stories tucked between wheat fields and cattle pastures, the show connects Oklahoma’s past with the lives of the farmers, ranchers, families, and communities carrying it forward today. Each episode blends rural storytelling, ag insight, and a deep sense of place — celebrating the red dirt, hard work, humor, resilience, and heart that make Oklahoma feel like home.

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