Kansas Wheat Commission touts research investments, marks innovation center milestones

Ron Supas, representing the Kansas Wheat Commission, told the Senate Agriculture Committee the commission is funded through a wheat assessment that collects 2 cents per bushel at the first point of sale and that the commission directs research, promotion and education for Kansas wheat farmers.

“2024 marked the 150th anniversary of the introduction of turkey red winter wheat to Kansas,” Supas said, describing the variety’s historical role in establishing Kansas as a major wheat producer. He said the commission invests in breeding, disease screening and phenotyping and that the commission provides more than $1.3 million annually to research projects.

Supas described the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center in Manhattan, a 37,000‑square‑foot facility on university‑owned land under a 50‑year lease. He said the commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers pledged $1.5 million over five years to support signature research partnerships and that that private commitment qualified K‑State for an additional state 3:1 funding match.

The commission also emphasized agronomic benefits of including winter wheat in rotations. “A long term Kansas study reported a 12‑bushel increase in soybean yields when rotated with winter wheat,” Supas said, and cited research showing higher corn yields after wheat in some rotations.

During questions, Supas thanked senators for support on infrastructure and policy matters and noted wheat export markets and price volatility. The chair also referred to Senate Bill 17 — described during the hearing as providing a harvest‑season overweight allowance for harvesters — and expressed appreciation to the commission for endorsing the bill; no committee vote on the bill occurred in the transcript.

Supas closed by encouraging senators to review the commission’s 2024 annual report and audit materials provided in the committee packet.