Smith's Gold wheat honors legendary wrestler
By John Klein
Tulsa World
STILLWATER, Okla. - Dr. Brett Carver figured it was natural that Oklahoma State University would name one of its most popular varieties of wheat after wrestling coach John Smith, who was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997.
Smith’s Gold, a variety of wheat released in May, is a direct descendent of Gallagher, an older and more notable variety developed by OSU. And, yes, Gallagher is named after Ed Gallagher, the legendary OSU wrestling coach, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in the Charter Class of 1976. Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, who was recognized as an Outstanding American by the Hall of Fame in 1992, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 after developing high-yielding varieties of wheat.
“It seemed very natural to me that this new variety, which is so close to the Gallagher, should be named for coach Smith because of what he’s done for this university and his love of agriculture,” said Carver, a regents professor and wheat genetics endowed chair. “The traits of Smith’s Gold is traced directly back to Gallagher.
“It’s just a more disease-resistant variety and a better baking wheat. So, it’s a variety that we’ve been able to improve through genetics and research.”
Wheat is Oklahoma’s largest cash crop. More than 5 million acres in the state are planted with the grain. This year’s expected crop could be upwards of 100 million bushels, depending on the weather over the next few weeks.
Smith’s Gold will be a tiny fraction of the crop, but that is expected to grow in the near future.
Carver said about 10,000 bushels of Smith’s Gold will be harvested and available for distribution through Oklahoma Genetics Inc., a nonprofit distributor of pedigreed seed to producers in Oklahoma and neighboring states.
“Coach Smith is such a humble person,” said Carver. “But he’s been very good to us and seems to have a great appreciation for the work we do.
“We have a great appreciation for the work he does, too.”
Smith said the Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station is a great part of OSU and has done some amazing things.
“To be associated with (Gallagher) by having a variety of wheat named after me is an honor,” Smith said. “I hope that Smith’s Gold is very successful.”
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Tulsa World
STILLWATER, Okla. - Dr. Brett Carver figured it was natural that Oklahoma State University would name one of its most popular varieties of wheat after wrestling coach John Smith, who was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997.
Smith’s Gold, a variety of wheat released in May, is a direct descendent of Gallagher, an older and more notable variety developed by OSU. And, yes, Gallagher is named after Ed Gallagher, the legendary OSU wrestling coach, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in the Charter Class of 1976. Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, who was recognized as an Outstanding American by the Hall of Fame in 1992, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 after developing high-yielding varieties of wheat.
“It seemed very natural to me that this new variety, which is so close to the Gallagher, should be named for coach Smith because of what he’s done for this university and his love of agriculture,” said Carver, a regents professor and wheat genetics endowed chair. “The traits of Smith’s Gold is traced directly back to Gallagher.
“It’s just a more disease-resistant variety and a better baking wheat. So, it’s a variety that we’ve been able to improve through genetics and research.”
Wheat is Oklahoma’s largest cash crop. More than 5 million acres in the state are planted with the grain. This year’s expected crop could be upwards of 100 million bushels, depending on the weather over the next few weeks.
Smith’s Gold will be a tiny fraction of the crop, but that is expected to grow in the near future.
Carver said about 10,000 bushels of Smith’s Gold will be harvested and available for distribution through Oklahoma Genetics Inc., a nonprofit distributor of pedigreed seed to producers in Oklahoma and neighboring states.
“Coach Smith is such a humble person,” said Carver. “But he’s been very good to us and seems to have a great appreciation for the work we do.
“We have a great appreciation for the work he does, too.”
Smith said the Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station is a great part of OSU and has done some amazing things.
“To be associated with (Gallagher) by having a variety of wheat named after me is an honor,” Smith said. “I hope that Smith’s Gold is very successful.”
Read Full Story
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