By Jamie Martin
The Texas Wheat Producers Board honored Jackie Rudd, Ph.D., with its first-ever Texas Wheat Legacy Award at the 2025 Texas Wheat Partners Dinner held December 2 in Amarillo.
The award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the Texas wheat industry.
Rudd is a Texas A&M AgriLife Research wheat breeder, Regents Fellow, and professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. He is based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo and has spent more than 25 years serving wheat producers in Texas.
The Texas Wheat Legacy Award recognizes long-term impact and dedication to wheat production. Rudd is known for developing high-performing wheat varieties that provide value to farmers and meet real-world production challenges.
His work focuses on water-use efficiency, disease resistance, yield improvement, and quality traits.
“Dr. Rudd’s legacy award underscores a body of work that exemplifies the mission of AgriLife Research,” said G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of AgriLife Research. “His remarkable career contributions continue to support thriving agriculture, natural resources, and abundant, affordable food and fiber products in Texas and beyond.”
Rudd has led the hard winter wheat breeding program for Texas High Plains and Rolling Plains regions. Since joining AgriLife Research, he has contributed to 16 small-grain releases, including nine hard red winter wheats, four oat varieties, and two triticale varieties.
His early wheat releases such as TAM 112, TAM 113, TAM 114, TAM 204, TAM 304, and TAM 401 became widely adopted by farmers. These varieties are known for drought tolerance, disease resistance, high yields, and strong bread-making quality.
“Dr. Rudd has a good understanding of the kinds of challenges farmers face every day and it shows through the wheat varieties he’s developed,” said Scott Born. “His dedication to improving wheat genetics has led to real solutions that will benefit farmers’ bottom lines for years to come.”
Rudd credits teamwork and strong industry support for his success. “I can’t imagine a more rewarding career than serving the wheat producers of Texas,” he said.
Photo Credit: depositphotos-simazoran
Categories: National