Field after field of wheat and hard work have paid off for the OSU small grains extension specialist.

Krenzer received the Excellence in Extension Award from the National Wheat Growers Association in Albuquerque, N.M., Aug. 17, 1998.

This award encourages and recognizes excellence in professional extension work related to the United States wheat industry.

To be eligible for this award the nominee must be a current or previous cooperative extension employee at the county or state level.

The award winners are chosen based on the excellence of their wheat-related extension programs, their benefit to the U.S. wheat industry and employment longevity.

Oklahoma wheat growers had the perfect candidate for the award.

“He has spent a long time with OSU developing and doing research with the characteristics of wheat varieties for Oklahoma producers,” said Erich Wehrenberg, executive director of the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association.

Krenzer has been devoted to educating wheat growers in Oklahoma through his wheat variety trials, wheat management producer meetings and his knowledge about wheat in general.

Conducting research at seven experiment stations in Oklahoma, Krenzer works 18 to 20 different experiments with wheat variety trials scattered throughout the state each year.

The variety trials help farmers have a better understanding of wheat varieties.

The trials show producers which varieties are tolerant to their area and which might be the best for their production.

He has also worked as co-project leader for the wheat research unit in Marshall, Okla., with emphasis on research and education meetings for wheat used for grazing.

Another area where his work with wheat is influential is with wheat seedling emergence and coleoptile length. Through his knowledge and research, wheat producers know as the soil temperature increases, the coleoptile length decreases. Seedling emergence and coleoptile length is important for producers in the southern Great Plains, because planting dates are being pushed back further and further.

This concept has dual importance in that, as moisture becomes more limiting during the seedling stage, wheat producers tend to plant deeper to reach available moisture. When the soil temperatures are hot, reducing coleoptile length, a successful stand may not be established.

Krenzer has worked on several research projects, which have resulted in an increase in the net profit for wheat producers. One research project included the proper timing for removal of livestock from wheat to maximize net return.

With his intense work he has shown producers how severe losses of two-bushels per acre per day may be expected if livestock are allowed to graze after first hollow stem.

He has also shown that in different locations first hollow stem date may vary depending on weather, variety and planting date.

These are just a few areas of research he has done for wheat producers. Working hard and being knowledgeable with wheat has been a great benefit for Krenzer.

“The Excellence in Extension Award was a very high honor for me,” said Krenzer.

Oklahoma wheat producers and OSU can be proud of his accomplishments and contributions to Oklahoma agriculture.

By Shayla Harris

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