OKLAHOMA CITY — Tanner Otto, son of Chad and Bonnie Otto, was awarded 1st place and FFA champion showing his Doublestop CL Plus variety in the 2022 Oklahoma 4-H/FFA Junior Wheat Show. Otto placed 3rd in production and milling and 14th in baking, earning him the awards. Otto is a member of the Ponca City FFA chapter.
According to Kim Anderson, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service grain marketing specialist; “Participating students learn what it takes to produce milling quality wheat.” He also stated that “The purpose of this program is to promote the production of quality wheat and teach 4-H and FFA youth about wheat production, marketing, and management.”
Otto, a member of the Ponca City FFA in Kay County, received $3000 in scholarship monies for his accomplishments with his Doublestop CL Plus variety. Tanner also received a $500 premium from Oklahoma Genetics Inc (OGI) for winning 1st place and FFA Champion with the Doublestop CL Plus variety and an additional $250 premium for being FFA champion from WestBred®. In addition, he received a $100 premium for 1st place from the Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation, along with a $27.50 premium for production, milling, bake contest and trophies.
In all, $16,000 in scholarship money was given away at the banquet. Scholarships are funded by Checkoff dollars and awarded to the top five 4-H and top five FFA entries. The contest is sponsored by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation, Oklahoma Genetics Incorporated, Westbred®, Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology and Education.
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission works to promote greater utilization of wheat in both domestic and international markets through research, market development, and public education. Five wheat producers representing designated districts across the state serve as the Oklahoma Wheat Commission’s board of directors. Current officers are Michael Peters, Chairman, Okarche; David Gammill, Vice-Chairman, Chattanooga; Don Schieber, Secretary-Treasurer, Ponca City; R.J. Parrish, Hunter, member and Jerry Wiebe, Hooker, member.
–Oklahoma Wheat Commission