K.C. Kinder just sent us an email advising that the Oklahoma Wheat Commission has officially joined the blogosphere! You need to check it out today as they have posted a recipe for pancakes that sounds great.

Click here for the new Oklahoma Wheat Commission blog.

Jack Carson

The Commissioners of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission named Mike Schulte as their new Executive Director. Schulte, the former marketing director, will begin his new position April 1, 2009. The Okarche native has a strong background in wheat promotion and agriculture.

“Agriculture production is something that I have been involved in my whole life, I feel it is going to become more important to create direct relationships in the marketing of our commodity crops,” said Schulte. “I hope to create better interaction with foreign buyers to promote Oklahoma’s high quality wheat products.”

Schulte began his employment with the Commission in April 2007. In the roll of marketing director, he worked with trade teams, gave numerous presentations concerning the value of Oklahoma wheat and oversaw many state and national events.

“We analyzed several applications, with the quality being extremely high,” said Don Schieber, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman and US Wheat Associates Secretary-Treasurer. “His youthfulness and qualifications brought him to the top making him the best fit for the Commission.”

Before coming to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, he was employed by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and was in charge of the livestock market news and specialty crop programs for the state.

Schulte graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2001, with degree in Agricultural Communications. As a member of the 12th class of the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program, Schulte experienced many career building experiences from his trip to South America to touring Capitol Hill.

“My experience with the Ag Leadership Program taught me the importance of getting involved and advocating for what you believe in,” Schulte said. “In agriculture we have a great story to tell and I plan on working hard to promote the story of the Oklahoma wheat industry.”

He looks forward to assisting to build and increase the domestic and export markets for Oklahoma wheat and its products through his position as the Executive Director. Schulte also looks forward to traveling the state to interact with the producers and elevator operators for one of Oklahoma’s most important products, Hard Red Winter wheat.

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission works to promote greater utilization of wheat in both domestic and international markets through research, market development and public education. Five wheat producers representing designated districts across the state serve as the Oklahoma Wheat Commission’s board of directors. Current officers are Jeff Krehbiel, chairman, Hydro; Don Schieber, vice chairman, Ponca City; Keith Kisling, secretary-treasurer, Burlington; Tom Stephens, member, Guymon; and Tom Glazier, member, Loyal.

On Monday our Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service will issue a Winter Wheat Seedings estimate and give us our first glance at what this year’s wheat harvest may look like. Given the factors of dry weather, last year’s exceptionally higher input costs and the wild, rollercoaster-like grain market, it will be interesting to see what our statisticians say.

In the meantime, today Brian Brus of the Journal Record has a story about farmers nationwide contemplating whether to embrace biotechnology to cut costs while still meeting the demand for grain. This is a great read and Brian interviews Oklahoma Wheat Commission Chairman, Jeff Krehbiel as well as Daren Coppock, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers for the story.

The issue of biotechnology, specifically genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is highly controversial not only here but with many of our trading partners.
Jack Carson

There is a great news story in todays Journal Record. Reporter Brian Brus interviews Oklahoma Wheat Commission Chairman, Jeff Krehbiel about challenges facing the person who replaces retiring OWV executive director, Mark Hodges.

Check out “New wheat commish faces ‘breadbasket full of concerns’“

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is looking for a new Executive Director to replace Mark Hodges who retires at the end of the month. This position is expected to gain national attention as Hodges helped put the Oklahoma wheat industry firmly in the national spotlight in terms of production and quality-based marketing.

Here are further details on the job description and how to apply for the position.

Mark Hodges announced today that he will retire as head of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission at the end of the year.  Hodges first took the position in 1996.  He left several years later to serve in the same capacity for the Oregon Wheat Commission but returned to Oklahoma in 2001 after two years.

Mark says he wants to return to the family farm in the Panhandle.  From the ODAFF, we will greatly miss working with Mark Hodges as he was always dedicated and devoted to Oklahoma agriculture and the Oklahoma wheat industry.

Mark Hodges, left and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach on a trade mission to Cuba that resulted in a $4 million wheat sale.

Visit the Oklahoma Wheat Commission website for more information.