This episode of the Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast brings turf science to the forefront with Dr. Charles Fontanier from Oklahoma State University.
As the summer season sets in and Oklahoma’s golf courses and athletic fields buzz with activity, the discussion centers around the strategic development and management of Bermuda grass varieties bred to thrive in Oklahoma’s unpredictable climate.
Dr. Fontanier shares how OSU’s turfgrass research addresses winterkill, drought resilience, and the demand for tough, low-maintenance grasses that can still look good and perform under pressure.

From NFL stadiums to backyard lawns, OSU's impact is growing.
You will hear about standout varieties like Tahoma 31 and Latitude 36 and learn how science and collaboration have positioned OSU at the forefront of turf innovation.
Whether you're a turf manager, landscaper, or just passionate about keeping your lawn green through the extremes, this episode delivers insight with practical relevance.

Key Takeaways:

1. OSU's turfgrass program focuses on Bermuda grass improvement for diverse uses.
2. Oklahoma’s climate presents unique challenges for year-round turf maintenance.
3. Latitude 36, NorthBridge, and Tahoma 31 have reshaped the industry.
4. Tahoma 31 offers improved cold and drought tolerance.
5. OSU emphasizes broad adaptability for national impact.
6. Turf management varies significantly between homeowners and sports professionals.
7. Sod distribution networks are essential for local turf availability.
8. NFL and major stadiums use hybrid Bermuda for its resilience.
9. Turfgrass breeding today focuses on low-input, sustainable systems.
10. The economic and ecological stakes of turfgrass are deeply tied to local communities.

Timestamps:

00:02 – Introductions and episode preview
02:30 – OSU’s turfgrass breeding and management research
03:47 – Transition zone challenges and winterkill in Bermuda
06:06 – Turf management tips for homeowners and superintendents
08:13 – The rise of hybrid Bermuda for putting greens
10:36 – Development and applications of Latitude 36, NorthBridge, and Tahoma 31
13:05 – Trialing new varieties and OSU’s nationwide testing approach
17:35 – Seed vs. sod and local turfgrass availability
22:04 – Turf in sports stadiums and artificial vs. natural debate
27:04 – Maintenance economics and year-round field management
34:00 – Water-saving turf strategies and future of turf research

RedDirtAgronomy.com

In this episode of Red Dirt Agronomy, the team sits down with Dr. Jayson Lusk, Vice President and Dean of Agricultural Programs at Oklahoma State University, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of agriculture and leadership in higher education.
Dr. Lusk reflects on his journey from researcher to administrator, the challenges of guiding a land-grant institution, and how he stays grounded in the needs of Oklahoma's producers.
The discussion explores the evolving role of faculty engagement, the value of public communication, and how Extension can remain impactful in an increasingly digital world.

The episode also covers Dr. Lusk's strategic vision for OSU agriculture, including plans to revitalize off-campus facilities, launch a beef center of excellence, and leverage big data and AI to support producer decision-making.
With insights into the delicate balance of university leadership and the importance of staying connected with faculty and stakeholders, this conversation offers practical value for anyone invested in the future of agricultural research and outreach.

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership Through Service: Dr. Lusk's path to administration was driven by a desire to amplify impact, not personal ambition.
2. Extension Still Matters: Public-facing efforts like podcasts and producer engagement remain central to OSU’s land-grant mission.
3. Strategic, Not Micromanaged: Dr. Lusk emphasizes empowering faculty and fostering collaboration over top-down control.
4. From Data to Decisions: OSU aims to invest in tools that help producers turn data into practical, on-farm choices.
5. Modernizing Infrastructure: Upgrading aging research farms and facilities is a top priority to support future ag innovation.
6. Beef and Wheat Focus: Strategic investment is centered on Oklahoma’s two leading ag sectors—cattle and wheat.
7. Funding Realities: OSU’s ag programs benefit from strong state support, offering resilience amid federal funding uncertainty.
8. Collaboration Counts: Lusk believes faculty success drives college success—and that includes interdisciplinary teamwork.
9. Measuring Impact, Not Just Output: Dr. Lusk calls for better ways to reward high-impact work that goes beyond publication metrics.
10. Producers as Stakeholders: Oklahoma taxpayers fund OSU’s ag work, and deserve results they can see in the field.

Timestamps:

00:04 - Welcome and episode intro
03:16 - Dr. Lusk’s path from faculty to administration
07:08 - Strategic decisions in leadership roles
13:33 - Navigating university structure and transitions
18:42 - Measuring impact in research and extension
30:56 - Challenges and strategy behind the new OSU Ag Hall
34:28 - Dr. Lusk’s strategic vision for OSU Agriculture
38:24 - The future of ag data, decision tools, and AI

RedDirtAgronomy.com

In Episode 414 of the Red Dirt Agronomy podcast, the team dives deep into the current cotton season in Oklahoma with Dr. Jenny Dudak, Oklahoma State University’s Extension Cotton Specialist.
The conversation kicks off with a crop update from Dr. Josh Lofton, who notes mixed outcomes across wheat and summer crops, and a challenging planting season influenced by erratic rainfall.
Dr. Brian Arnall and Dr. Raedan Sharry contribute technical insights on soil nutrient conditions and weed management tactics.

Dr. Dudak shares her perspective on the cotton planting outlook across Oklahoma, detailing issues like thrips, herbicide resistance, and the narrow windows available for cotton growers in different regions.
She also discusses how new technologies and research, including residual herbicides and skip-row planting studies, could help producers cut costs while improving yield reliability.
The conversation closes with thoughts on the long-term viability of the cotton industry and its infrastructure in Oklahoma.

Timestamps:

(00:03) Welcome and podcast intro
(01:30) Crop update and planting challenges
(07:00) Weed control concerns in double crops
(11:45) Cotton planting status and early-season issues
(13:00) Scouting for thrips and weed competition
(18:00) Overview of Dr. Dudak’s background and research focus
(27:00) Cotton expansion into northern territories and risk factors
(38:30) Emerging cotton technologies and herbicide advancements
(41:00) Cotton vs. corn in southwestern Oklahoma

(45:00) Cotton infrastructure and future outlook

RedDirtAgronomy.com