Staked Plains Agronomy was born from a lifelong commitment to the West Texas producer. Founded in the winter of 2026 by Luke Obenhaus, Staked Plains aims to help you continue producing the high-quality Food, Fiber, and Fuel that sustains our communities. Our mission is simple: to provide the expert data and personal service you need to feed your family and ours.

Education & Research

Luke holds both an M.S. in Plant & Soil Science (Crop Science, 2016) and a B.S. in Environmental Crop and Soil Science (Agronomy, 2013) from Texas Tech University. During his time at Tech, Luke worked as an undergraduate and graduate assistant for the Crop Physiology program. There, he gained invaluable knowledge of how crops perform in West Texas and developed a scientific approach to farming on the High Plains. His academic career culminated in his Master’s Thesis: "Determining the Effects of Irrigation on Cotton Maturity Through Vertical Distribution."

Industry Experience & The Turning Point

Upon graduation, Luke became the Farm Operations Manager at a Trait Development site for Bayer Crop Science in California, where he gained invaluable knowledge in IPM and irrigation due to the harsh environment of the Central Valley. Following the division's sale to BASF, Luke returned home in 2020 to work for Forage Genetics International (FGI) as a Parent Seed Agronomist. However, the industry proved volatile; FGI closed their sorghum division in 2022, leading Luke to S&W Seed Co.

In early 2026, the closure of S&W Seed Co.’s sorghum operations highlighted a hard truth: the corporate agronomy job market had become increasingly unstable. Rather than chasing another role in an unpredictable market, Luke decided to build something lasting with integrity. He founded Staked Plains Agronomy to break the cycle of corporate turnover, ensuring that High Plains growers have a partner who is here to stay and cares about their families.

Faith & Personal Life

For Luke, agronomy is more than crop production—it’s an extension of his Christian faith. Raised by a family deeply rooted in faith and agriculture, he keeps Christ and His grace at the center of his daily life.

Luke approaches agronomy through the lens of stewardship, treating the land, water, and producer trust as gifts to be managed faithfully. As an active member of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, he is committed to conducting business with genuine integrity, humble service, and dependable guidance.

God Bless