Wheat Scoop: Kansas Agriculture Works Better Together

At a round table in the Wheat’s On Your Mind studio at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, four Kansas commodity CEOs traded notes that sounded a lot like the conversations happening at kitchen tables across the state. They pulled back the curtain on how checkoffs work, why grower associations matter and how collaboration keeps Kansas agriculture relevant in a tough market.

Justin Gilpin of Kansas Wheat, Josh Roe of Kansas Corn, Caleb Little of Kansas Soybeans and Adam York of Kansas Grain Sorghum outlined the roles of Kansas commodity commissions and the separate, dues-funded associations that handle advocacy. The group walked through how farmer dollars support research, market development and education while associations carry out policy work in Washington, D.C. and Topeka.

They also compared Kansas’ realities with the I-states, pointing to different climate, infrastructure and biofuel dynamics. The conversation kept circling back to a Kansas advantage: farmers who raise multiple crops and organizations that plan together on markets, research and water.

That statewide perspective comes from working shoulder to shoulder. 

“Whether it’s research at K-State or joint market development abroad, we’re all working toward the same mission: helping farmers succeed,” Gilpin said. “We face different challenges, but we share the same fields and communities.”

The CEOs highlighted the strength of Kansas research leadership, especially through Kansas State University’s College of Agriculture. From developing wheat varieties resistant to disease and drought to improving sorghum genetics through the Center for Sorghum Improvement, farmer-funded checkoff dollars are driving real results. Investments in research partnerships across K-State departments help create practical, farmer-focused innovation. 

“Research is the long game, but it’s also the clearest return farmers can see from their checkoff,” Gilpin said. “Every new variety, pest study or efficiency breakthrough helps keep Kansas agriculture competitive.”

Still, short-term challenges remain. Commodity prices are down across the board while input costs stay high, tightening farm margins heading into 2026. The CEOs agreed that while farmers prefer markets over aid, short-term relief may be necessary until the new farm bill provisions take effect. Roe added that Kansas producers are facing gluts in corn and soybeans, while international trade slowdowns have hit sorghum and wheat exports.

“Farmers are survivors,” York said. “Getting through this next year means focusing on efficiency, maintaining markets and making sure policy decisions reflect Kansas reality.”

Each Kansas commodity group operates a farmer-elected checkoff commission that invests producer dollars back into research, education and market development. The Kansas Wheat Commission, established in 1957 through the Kansas Wheat Act, collects a state assessment of two cents per bushel of wheat sold. Those funds support programs like the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, international trade through U.S. Wheat Associates and research collaborations at Kansas State University.

Similarly, all four Kansas commodity commissions are funded through checkoff collection at the first point of sale. These funds are used for promotion, research and market development; however, checkoff funds aren’t used for lobbying or political advocacy; the separate dues-funded grower associations handle those efforts.

Together, Kansas’ commodity groups are proving that collaboration is one of agriculture’s greatest strengths. Farmers don’t typically just grow just one commodity but include several of the four in their crop rotations. By aligning priorities such as research, market development and policy advocacy, these groups are ensuring that farmer investments generate real returns — not just in stronger crops, but in stronger communities. Even in a challenging market, Kansas agriculture continues to move forward with resilience, innovation and a shared commitment to the future.

Listen to the full episode and watch the studio video at WheatsOnYourMind.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

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