Wylie AgCast

Ag Mechanics & Precision Tech: Why Skilled Trades Are the Backbone of America with Kris Hiracheta

Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!! In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, I sat down with Kris Hiracheta, Ag Mechanics Instructor at Lorenzo ISD, to explore the world of agricultural education, welding, technical training, and the future of skilled trades in rural America. From growing up around farming and agriculture to shaping the next generation of students in the shop classroom, this conversation dives deep into the real impact of Ag Mechanics beyond the stereotype of "shop class." We also explore teaching different learning styles, using welding as both a technical skill and artistic outlet, the value of small-town communities, programs like the 13/14 Campus that help students earn college credit close to home, and what the future of agriculture could look like over the next 20 years. More than anything, this episode is about legacy — investing in students, preserving practical knowledge, and building something that lasts beyond the classroom. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - From Farming to the Classroom: The Journey Into Ag Education 02:33 - The Most Rewarding Moments as an Ag Teacher 03:02 - What Ag Mechanics Actually Is (And Why It Matters) 04:01 - Auto-Steer, Precision Tech & Modern Agriculture Systems 05:14 - Welding Basics: Processes, Materials & Learning the Trade 07:21 - FFA, Certifications, Build-Offs & Ag Competitions 10:08 - Hydraulic Systems, Metals & Understanding Material Differences 15:33 - Opportunities at Lorenzo ISD & the Texas Regional Pathways Network 15:56 - AI in Ag Mechanics: Why Technology Won't Replace Skilled Trades 20:20 - How Farming Experience Builds Better Troubleshooting Skills 24:00 - Outside Projects, Student Interest & Adapting to Different Learning Styles 25:15 - Welding as Art: Sculptures, Creativity & Technical Skill 27:19 - The Current State of Agriculture & Challenges Facing Younger Generations 30:38 - Putting a Project Together from Start to Finish 36:05 - The 13/14 Campus: Helping Students Earn College Credit From Home 38:30 - The Future of Agriculture Over the Next 20 Years 39:42 - Family Farms, Student Impact & Leaving Behind a Legacy 42:32 - Small Communities & Their Lasting Influence 43:09 - Final Thoughts & Outro Follow Kris & Lorenzo ISD: Website: https://www.lorenzoisd.net [https://www.lorenzoisd.net] Follow Lorenzo ISD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorenzoisd [https://www.facebook.com/lorenzoisd] College Opportunities: https://www.lorenzoisd.net/page/scholarships https://www.lorenzoisd.net/page/P-TECH [https://www.lorenzoisd.net/page/P-TECH] Check Us Out! https://wyliesprayers.com/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/] New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/] Socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/ [https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/ [https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/] X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers [https://x.com/WylieSprayers] Thanks For Watching! #agriculture #mechanics #welding #WylieAgCast

What's Really Going On In the Cotton Industry? (And What's Being Done) with CEO Kody Bessent | Wylie AgCast

Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!! In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, I sat down with Kody Bessent; CEO of Plains Cotton Growers, to talk about the current state of the cotton industry and the policies shaping its future. We break down what Plains Cotton Growers does, how ag policy is developed, and the role of PACs and industry leaders in driving real change. We dive into key legislation like House Bill 43, disaster relief programs, farm bridge assistance, and the "One Big Beautiful Bill," and how these efforts impact cotton prices, insurance, and producer stability. We also discuss major challenges facing the industry—from water issues in South Texas to infrastructure and market pressures—and how research, innovation, and policy are working together to move agriculture forward. Finally, we look ahead to the future of cotton, including technology, market projections, and why keeping cotton strong in Texas matters for the entire U.S. economy. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Kody Bessent's backstory and Texas agriculture roots 03:29 - From agriculture to politics and the Mac Thornberry internship 07:48 - Early career with High Plains Water District and entry into ag 09:50 - What Plains Cotton Growers does and its industry influence 11:40 - One Big Beautiful Bill and its impact on cotton prices and insurance 13:39 - How agricultural politics works with PACs and lobbying 15:00 - Texas House Bill 43 and farmer relief efforts 18:29 - Cotton industry recovery and disaster assistance programs 24:20 - Cotton infrastructure and rebuilding gins in Texas 26:20 - South Texas water crisis and Mexico's role 28:10 - Policy, research, and cotton breeding to prevent crop loss 30:24 - Financial relief, land grants, and farmer support 32:15 - Plains Cotton Growers Annual Meeting highlights 36:40 - Tax reform and its impact on farmers 39:00 - Organic vs conventional cotton and product quality 41:18 - Agricultural policy efforts in Washington DC 45:21 - Cotton industry outlook for 2026 48:06 - Technology shaping the future of cotton farming 49:00 - Why cotton in Texas matters to the US economy 50:35 - Final Thoughts & Outro Follow PCG: Website - https://www.plainscotton.org/ [https://www.plainscotton.org/] Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/plainscottongrowers [https://www.facebook.com/plainscottongrowers] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/plainscottongrowers/ [https://www.instagram.com/plainscottongrowers/] X - https://x.com/PCGNews?s=20 [https://x.com/PCGNews?s=20] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/plains-cotton-growers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/plains-cotton-growers/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@plainscottongrowersinc.6855 [https://www.youtube.com/@plainscottongrowersinc.6855] Check Us Out! https://wyliesprayers.com/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/] New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/] Socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/ [https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/ [https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/] X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers [https://x.com/WylieSprayers] Thanks For Watching! #agriculture #cotton #legislature #WylieAgCast #cottonindustry

Crop Protection, GMO's & Managing Insect Ecosystems with Entomologist Dr. Suhas Vyavhare

Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!! In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, I sat down with Dr. Suhas Vyavhare, Extension Entomologist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension based in Lubbock, Texas. From growing up around agriculture in India to serving producers across West Texas, Dr. Vyavhare brings a global perspective to one of agriculture's most misunderstood forces — insects. In this conversation, we break down what an Extension Entomologist actually does, the battle between beneficial and destructive insects, and how entomologists act as ecosystem managers in cotton and row crop environments. We dive into GMOs, gene editing, biologicals, pesticide chemistry, invasive species, and why extinction is not the solution when it comes to population control. We also explore current AgriLife research, risk mitigation for producers, and how better margins, not just better yields, shape modern agriculture. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:09 - What Does an Extension Entomologist Actually Do? 01:30 - From Farming in India to West Texas Fields: Suhas' Journey 03:25 - Entomology 101: How Bugs Shape Agriculture 05:13 - Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs: Why We Actually NEED Insects 07:29 - Insecticides & Pesticides Explained 09:00 - Climate Change Invasions & How Entomologists Control Ecosystems 12:26 - Cotton Flea-hoppers, Bollworms & Row Crop Battles 14:20 - Population Control: Why Extinction Isn't the Answer 16:45 - GMOs, Gene Editing & Seedless Watermelons: What You Should Know 26:06 - Inside the Lubbock AgriLife Research Projects 27:50 - Wild Cotton & Perennials: Why Human Intervention Matters 32:00 - Biologicals, Organic Farming & Why Conventional Still Matters 36:28 - Texas A&M AgriLife: The Hidden Powerhouse Behind Ag Research 41:28 - Better Margins, Not Just Bigger Yields: Managing Risk in Agriculture 43:32 - Learning & Pursuing a career in Entomology 44:20 - Water Minerals, Field Research & The Future of A.I. in Ag 48:54 - Final Thoughts & Outro Follow Dr. Suhas Vyavhare: Website - https://entomology.tamu.edu/people/vyavhare-suhas/ [https://entomology.tamu.edu/people/vyavhare-suhas/] X - https://x.com/Dr_Suhas77?s=20 [https://x.com/Dr_Suhas77?s=20] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suhas-vyavhare-613a4453/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/suhas-vyavhare-613a4453/] Check Us Out! https://wyliesprayers.com/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/] New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/] Socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/ [https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/ [https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/] X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers [https://x.com/WylieSprayers] Thanks For Watching! #agriculture #cotton #entomology #WylieAgCast

Inside Wylie Manufacturing: People Come First, with Stephen Rankin | The Wylie AgCast

Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!! In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, we go behind the scenes of Wylie Manufacturing with Vice President of Manufacturing & Operations Stephen Rankin. We break down manufacturing from the user's perspective, the engineering process behind Wylie equipment, and why building products that are "too good" has always been the standard. The conversation also covers supplying equipment for agriculture, municipalities, government agencies, and military applications, where quality and reliability matter most. We dive into supply chain challenges, precision technology advancements, and how Wylie is creating long-term career opportunities through partnerships with communities and schools. This episode offers an inside look at how Wylie builds equipment, develops people, and plans for the future. Chapters: 00:00 - ESOP, New Role, A New Season at Wylie 01:36 - From Texas Tech to Entrepreneurship: Stephen's Story 05:00 - Garden City, Kansas: The Chapter That Shaped the Leader 08:24 - Taking the Helm: Transitioning to Petersburg Manufacturing 10:37 - Engineering Through the Operator's Lens 15:50 - Built "Too Good": Why Quality Comes First 20:00 - Beyond Agriculture: Serving Municipalities, Government & Military 21:23 - Navigating Supply Chain Challenges in a Changing World 27:22 - Opening the Door: Careers and Opportunity for the Next Generation 29:00 - Partnering with Communities & Schools to Build the Future 34:18 - Precision Technology & the Next Wave of Innovation 37:34 - The Vision Ahead: Where Wylie Manufacturing Is Going 38:00 - More Than a Job: Wylie as a Career Path 40:57 - Customer First: Building a Company of Experts 42:22 - Outro Socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/ [https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/ [https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/] X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers [https://x.com/WylieSprayers] Check Us Out! https://wyliesprayers.com/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/] New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/] Thanks For Watching! #agriculture #manufacturing #career #WylieAgCast

TeeJet Technologies & A Masterclass in Application with Aaron Miller | The Wylie AgCast

Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!! In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, we sit down with Regional Sales Manager for TeeJet Technologies, Mr. Aaron Miller. We break down the tech that's transforming modern agriculture, including ISOBUS electronics, PWM systems, TeeJet DynaJet, and emerging VISION plant-recognition technology designed to reduce chemical costs and boost accuracy. Aaron also shares insights on the award-winning FM9380 electromagnetic flow meter, application equipment differences, agronomy basics, and the science behind droplet size, nutrients, biologicals, and systemic vs. contact products. From growing up on a farm to helping shape some of the most advanced systems in agriculture, Aaron walks us through his knowledge of application equipment and the science that operates our farms! Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 00:33 - Aaron Miller: Backstory, TeeJet involvement, early exposure to ag 08:49 - The Rise of ISOBUS & Modern Farm Electronics 11:34 - Field-to-Field → Acre-to-Acre → Plant-to-Plant 14:57 - Inside TeeJet DynaJet & Vision Technology 17:30 - FM9380 Award Winner — Why this Flow Meter Matters 21:44 - Understanding Application Equipment 23:40 - Deep Dive: Droplet size, biologicals, nutrients, systemic vs. contact 38:07 - Spraying Myths — Debunked 41:39 - Spray Tip Materials & Durability in the Field 48:22 - Utilizing TeeJet Sentry: Application Best Practices & Calibration 51:39 - Drone Spraying — The New Frontier 53:49 - Application Maintenance Rundown for Pek Efficiency 55:05 - Sneak Peek: TeeJet Products Coming 2026–27 57:16 - Final Thoughts & Outro Socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/ [https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/ [https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/] X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers [https://x.com/WylieSprayers] Check Us Out! https://wyliesprayers.com/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/] New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/ [https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/] Thanks For Watching!