Plains Grains Inc. elevates wheat quality and honors industry pioneers

Plains Grains Inc., a cornerstone of wheat quality testing and marketing in the southern Great Plains, during its annual meeting recognized two key figures for their lasting impact: Brad Seabourn and Mark Hodges.

Their contributions have helped define the high-quality reputation of U.S. hard red winter wheat in both domestic and international markets. They are pictured above in the courtesy photo, from left, Mark Hodges and Bradford “Brad” Seabourn.

Seabourn, of Kansas, served as director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Hard Winter Wheat Quality Laboratory from 2005 until his retirement in 2023. His career began in 1982, and over the decades, he was influential in shaping how experimental wheat varieties were tested and evaluated.

“About 95% of the experimental varieties sent to our lab never make it to release,” Seabourn said. “That’s how stringent the protocol is, and it’s why our wheat is such a high-quality, in-demand product.”

One of Seabourn’s most notable achievements was acquiring a specialized mill, one of only two in the world at the time, allowed researchers to replicate commercial milling conditions. This innovation enhanced the lab’s ability to evaluate wheat quality and supported PGI’s mission in delivering valuable data to domestic and international wheat buyers, consumers and producers.

“That experience in itself I thought was interesting because I did not typically get to see the work that we were doing that closely resembled commercial mills,” Seabourn said.

Over the years, Seabourn and Hodges built a strong professional partnership centered on their shared commitment to wheat quality research. Their collaborative work played a key role in producing and sharing reliable wheat quality data.

Hodges, of Oklahoma, was instrumental in founding Plains Grains Inc., which is based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Driven by a vision to define and market wheat quality, Hodges saw the need to approach wheat the way other crops like cotton were marketed, by measurable characteristics that affect end-use value.

“The concept was brought up by the associate dean, B.C. Costa, from Oklahoma State,” Hodges said. “He had marketed cotton differently by grade and length. It made a difference in the return to the producer.”

Through close collaboration with wheat commissions and producers across the region, Hodges guided PGI to become a trusted source of wheat quality data.

“The early collaboration with Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Kansas and Colorado is what drove PGI’s success. It was the strong leadership from board members and administrators in those states that got it off the ground,” Hodges said.

The leadership and vision of individuals like Seabourn and Hodges have been pivotal in transforming how wheat quality is measured, understood and communicated across the industry, according to a news release from Plains Grains Inc. “Their work established a strong foundation for data transparency and market confidence, which are principals that remain central to PGI’s mission. As global demand for high-quality wheat continues to grow, the importance of consistent, science-based quality testing remains critical.”

Why wheat quality testing matters

Each year, PGI collects hundreds of wheat samples from elevators across the Great Plains and analyzes them for characteristics like test weight, protein content, falling number and milling and baking quality. This data forms the basis of PGI’s Hard Red Winter Wheat Quality Report, a critical tool for international buyers.

Wheat quality testing is more than science, it’s strategic marketing, Plains Grains notes. Buyers around the world rely on Plains Grains’ independent analysis to plan purchases, evaluate risk and determine suitability for their specific needs. The transparency and credibility of PGI’s work help build long-term confidence in the U.S. HRW crop.

“PGI serves as a vital link between producers, grain handlers and global end users,” Hodges said. “By documenting and promoting the quality of the wheat we grow, PGI strengthens our position in an increasingly competitive global market.”

A legacy of quality and collaboration

As climate variability, supply chain challenges and shifting consumer demands place new pressures on agriculture, Plains Grains Inc. remains focused on its mission: Proving that U.S. hard red winter wheat is a consistent, high-quality product through trusted research and testing.

With strong leadership, scientific excellence and decades of collaboration, PGI continues to be a quiet powerhouse in the wheat industry. Through its E-News, harvest reports and technical outreach, PGI not only supports marketing efforts but reinforces the reputation of wheat from the United States.

To learn more about PGI, visit plainsgrains.org.