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U.S. Wheat Organization Statement on USTR Pick

Following is a statement from U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and National Association of Wheat Growers:

“Trade deals with Japan and Mexico won by the previous Trump Administration protected crucial U.S. wheat export markets. U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers strongly support an Office of the U.S. Trade Representative actively focused on enforcement of trade rules and opening markets under Jamieson Greer. The organizations look forward to working with him and the next Agricultural Trade Negotiator on behalf of American wheat growers.” 

About USW

USW’s mission is to develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers in more than 100 countries. Its activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

About NAWG

NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and the public. 

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NAWG and USW Congratulate Brooke Rollins on Secretary of Agriculture Nomination

ARLINGTON, Virginia — The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) released the following statements in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her nomination to serve as our next Secretary of Agriculture. NAWG members look forward to working together to foster public policy initiatives that will help wheat growers and rural communities thrive,” said Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

USW Quote “As the wheat industry’s export market development organization, U.S. Wheat Associates looks forward to working with Secretary-Designate Rollins and the President-Elect’s administration on issues related to fair global trade and market access,” said U.S. Wheat Associates President and CEO Vince Peterson. “We welcome a renewed partnership with her and USDA to support U.S. agriculture and the farmers we represent in the world wheat market.”

About USW

USW’s mission is to develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers in more than 100 countries. Its activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

About NAWG

NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and the public. 

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Farmer Directors Elect Mike Spier as Next President and CEO of U.S. Wheat Associates

At their board meeting Nov. 14, 2024, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) directors elected Mike Spier, Vice President of Overseas Operations, as the export market organization’s next President and CEO, effective with the retirement of current President and CEO Vince Peterson on July 1, 2025.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be elected to this position and grateful to our officers and directors for their trust and confidence,” said Spier. “I am also immensely grateful to Vince Peterson, whose vision and dedication have laid a durable foundation for future success. I look forward to working with my outstanding colleagues, as well as the National Association of Wheat Growers, state wheat commissions, and our industry partners. Together, we will continue to innovate, create new export opportunities, enhance profitability for U.S. wheat growers, and deliver value to customers overseas.”

Mike Spier (right), USW Vice President of Overseas Operations, has been selected to replace Vince Peterson (left) as USW’s next President and CEO on July 1, 2025.

Mike Spier (right), USW Vice President of Overseas Operations, has been selected to replace Vince Peterson (left) as the organization’s next President and CEO, effective July 1, 2025.

The USW President serves at the pleasure of the wheat farmers on its Board of Directors and is responsible for implementing board-directed policies and for managing staff, export market development programs, and finances.

“Mike is well-known and respected by our overseas wheat buyers and the entire domestic industry. He is highly qualified, and I am very pleased the board selected him to lead the organization,” said Peterson, who was named USW’s fourth President in 2017. “With strong support from our board, we have maintained a solid financial position that will give Mike and our talented, hard-working staff a great foundation to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead in the world wheat market.”

Spier is an Oregon native who has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Seattle Pacific University. He started his career in 1992 as an accountant and then a grain merchandiser with United Grain Corporation in Portland, Ore. In 1997, he joined USW as Assistant Director of the West Coast Office. Spier relocated to Cairo, Egypt, in 1998 as USW Assistant Regional Director for the Middle East and East Africa. After four years in Cairo, he transferred to Manila, Philippines, as Assistant Regional Director for South and Southeast Asia. In 2009, USW promoted Spier to Regional Vice President for South and Southeast Asia and transferred him to USW’s Singapore Regional Office. In 2015, Spier transitioned to Columbia Grain International Inc. (CGI) as Assistant Vice President of International Marketing, establishing CGI’s Singapore office for marketing international milling wheat in Southeast Asia. In 2018, he moved to the company’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon to lead CGI’s international wheat marketing desk. In 2019, Spier returned to USW as Vice President of Overseas Operations.

Throughout his career, Spier has gained expertise in grain merchandising, international wheat trading, market analysis, risk management and hedging, logistics, execution, and negotiation of ocean freight contracts. Over his career in the wheat industry, Spier has traveled to more than 50 countries, implementing wheat export market development activities, providing insight into the U.S. and world wheat markets, and assisting buyers with wheat contract terms to meet price and quality expectations.

USW’s mission is to “Develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” Its activities are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and through USDA Foreign Agricultural Service cost-share funding. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org or contact your state wheat commission.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Promotes Shirley Lu to Managing Director, China

HONG KONG — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) promotes Shirley Lu from Country Director to Managing Director, China, effective January 1, 2025, following the retirement of Regional Vice President Jeff Coey on December 31, 2024. She will be responsible for planning and implementing public affairs, trade and technical service programs, and managing USW’s regional staff in Beijing and Hong Kong. Lu will serve in her new position from USW’s Hong Kong Regional Office.

The current USW Hong Kong and China team in the photo above includes: Ting Liu, Technical Specialist, Beijing; Kaiwen Wu, Marketing Specialist, Beijing; Coey; and Lu. Not shown: Aska Tam, Programs Coordinator, Hong Kong, and Elsa Chung, Executive Secretary/Bookkeeper.

Portrait of Ms. Shirley Lu

Ms. Shirley Lu

“Promoting and maintaining a competitive edge for U.S. wheat to take advantage of opportunities in China is very important and Shirley Lu has earned this leadership position,” said Mike Spier, USW Vice President of Overseas Operations. “She is highly professional with extensive industry experience and strong relationships with customers and partner organizations. Jeff Coey and I know that she will provide a steady hand guiding the future direction of USW programs in China.”

“My work promoting U.S. wheat in China has given me challenges and a sense of common cause with my colleagues, building on the excellent reputation set by our predecessors over many years. To carry on that work in China will be an important mission for me and the team,” said Lu.

Before joining USW in 2012 as Marketing Specialist, Shirley Lu gained 12 years of experience as a wheat buyer for both a trading company and a major mill, building on her professional knowledge to localize the full scope of USW’s export market development programming. In 2018, she was promoted to Country Director, China. A native of Wuzhou, Guangxi, Lu earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Beijing International Studies University.

Under its membership in the World Trade Organization, China has met or exceeded a wheat import tariff rate quota of 9.6 million metric tons (MMT) over the past four marketing years. In marketing year 2023/24 that ended May 31, commercial sales of four U.S. wheat classes to China exceeded 2.11 MMT, or more than 77.52 million bushels. The volume of U.S. wheat sales varies annually so keeping China’s state trading enterprise and private flour millers informed about U.S. price, quality, and value is USW’s primary promotional strategy in the market.

 

Seven Chinese baking managers, Ms. Shirley Lu, and Dr. Jayne Bock observing a technician at the Wheat Marketing Center conduct a falling number test on wheat flour.

Shirley Lu (center, gesturing) interprets a description of lab work for a Chinese Contracting for Wheat Value team at the Wheat Marketing Center, Portland, Ore., in 2019.

 

Four people examine test cookies made with soft red winter wheat flour at the ARS Soft Wheat Quality Lab in Wooster, Ohio.

Shirley Lu led a team of COFCO executives to the United States in 2023, including to the ARS Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory in Wooster, Ohio, here with Dr. Byung-Kee Baik, Director (center left), and team participants discussing cookie performance with flour from the 2023 U.S. soft red winter crop.

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High Quality Wheat for Every Need Detailed in 2024 U.S. Crop Quality Report

2024 U.S. Wheat Crop Quality Report Cover

2024 U.S. Wheat Crop Quality Report Cover

As a key part of its commitment to transparency and trade service, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has produced the 2024 U.S. Crop Quality Report that includes grade, flour, dough, and baking data for five of six U.S. wheat classes. The report provides essential, objective information to help buyers get the wheat they need at the best value possible.

The report is now available for download in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Arabic and Chinese language versions will be available through local USW offices and on the USW website when translations are complete.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service export market development programs and USW’s state wheat commission members provided funding for the 2024 report.

Comprehensive Data

To produce the annual report, USW compiles comprehensive data from analysis of hundreds of samples conducted during and after harvest by partner organizations and laboratories. USW also shares more detailed, regional reports for all six U.S. wheat classes and Desert Durum®  on its website, as well as additional information on sample and collection methods, solvent retention capacity (SRC) recommendations, standard deviation tables and more.

“After the past few challenging years, my colleagues and the farmers we represent are glad to say that there is good production and quality news about U.S. wheat supplies” said USW President Vince Peterson. “The 2024 report shows the larger new crop offers our customers the milling and baking qualities needed to produce the highest quality wheat foods, and greater opportunity to thrive in the coming year.”

Crop Quality Seminars Underway

USW will also share quality information in person through its annual series of Crop Quality Seminars. This year, seven teams of USW representatives, farmers, and wheat quality experts will conduct the seminars across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

USW produced this short video to provide more information about the 2024 U.S. Crop Quality Report and USW Crop Quality Seminars.

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Broadcast Version – U.S. Wheat Associates Statement on USDA Deregulation of HB4 Drought-Tolerant Trait in Wheat

ANNOUNCER:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will deregulate the HB4 drought tolerant trade in wheat. Farmer leaders of U.S. Wheat Associates commended USDA’s thorough, science-based process and expressed confidence in the trait’s potential to deliver significant benefits for both producers and consumers. Oklahoma wheat grower and U.S. Wheat Associates past chairman Michael Peters has visited Bioceres Crop Science test plots in South America.

As Peters shares here, he was impressed with the research and is hopeful of what the trade could mean for wheat farmers, especially those in drought prone areas.

MICHAEL PETERS (00:39)

“As a wheat farmer in the Southern Plains, I definitely see the HB4 trait being a tool that I can have in my toolbox for those years that there is some drought, especially in the periods when the wheat is coming out of winter dormancy, when it really needs that moisture, or when it’s going into its reproductive phase.

“Having the opportunity to visit Bioceres test plots in Argentina, I was impressed with the quality of the wheat that was being grown. Being able to see how the technology was being used, and the possibility of how it could be used on our farmland in the U.S., I think it’s definitely a tool that every farmer would like to have — you know, for those periods that it really is dry weather so that we can continue to be a supplier of good quality grain”

ANNOUNCER (01:26)

U.S. Wheat Associates’ Policy Team continues to follow the HB4 issue closely. Director of Trade Policy Peter Laudeman, who also visited Bioceres test plots in South America, shares with us that there is still a lot of ground to cover with the technology, and that U.S. Wheat will stay actively engaged in the process on behalf of farmers and international customers.

PETER LAUDEMAN (01:48)

“We’re really excited to see this announcement come out of USDA that just follows the basic science-based regulatory system that we know comes out of the Part 340 revision of regulations. as Bioceres continues to move forward, there’s a distinction between this regulatory approval and then the number of steps that they’ll need to move forward with to make sure they have a commercial plan to bring this product to market.

“We’re looking forward to continuing in that dialog with Bioceres and will keep all of our board members and the Wheat Breeding Innovation Committee members apprised of those conversations.

“One of the most important pieces of discussion we’ve had with Bioceres over time is our Wheat Industry Joint Principles for Biotechnology Commercialization, which is kind of a big mouthful for the kind of document that we share with the National Association of Wheat Growers to really outline how U.S. Wheat is supportive of bringing technology to the market, and to make sure we do it in the right way. To make sure that customers have the choices they want in the marketplace, but also that growers have access to great new science-based technologies, as well.

“Certainly, this is the first time we’ve seen this from wheat. So, it’s a new experience. but, as we’re looking at a timeline, we probably think somewhere in the 3- to 5-year range.”

OUT 03:00

More information about Bioceres, HB4®, and U.S. wheat organization positions on transgenic wheat commercialization is available at:

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U.S. Wheat Associates West Coast Office Moves to Portland’s World Trade Center

PORTLAND, Oregon — As of Aug. 1, 2024, the West Coast Office of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) will be located at the World Trade Center, Suite 1125, 121 SW Salmon Street, Portland, OR 97204. USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry.

Five full-time employees in the West Coast Office provide market development support for USW’s 13 overseas offices, hosting trade team and domestic visitors, liaison with West Coast grain trade, market analysis, and other activities.

“Moving after more than 30 years at the Albers Mill Building on Naito Parkway was difficult but given the changes around that location it was the right decision.” said USW Vice President and West Coast Office Director Steve Wirsching. “We remain fully supportive of our technical training partnership with the Wheat Marketing Center that will be just five minutes away. I know that our staff and visiting wheat buyers will appreciate being just a short walk away from hotels, grain trade offices, and several other trade-related organizations.”

For more information, write to [email protected] or call +1 (503) 223-8123.

Image shows the sign and building for the Portland World Trade Center, Portland, Oregon.

Photo courtesy of the Portland World Trade Center.

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Ivan Goh Returning to USW as Biscuit/Bakery and Noodle Technologist

Ivan Goh returns to USW this month as a Biscuit/Bakery and Noodle Technologist in the South and Southeast Asia market. Goh has extensive experience in flour milling, bakery technical service and wheat food ingredients.

Ivan Goh returns to USW this month as a Biscuit/Bakery and Noodle Technologist in the South and Southeast Asia market. Goh has extensive experience in flour milling, bakery technical service and wheat food ingredients.

A familiar face with an extraordinary skillset returns to U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) this month as Biscuit/Bakery and Noodle Technologist in the South and Southeast Asia market.

Ivan Goh, who held the position from 2018 to 2022, has extensive experience in flour milling, bakery technical service and wheat food ingredients. He will work closely with USW staff, leading USW training courses throughout the region.

Duties to Include Running UFM Courses

USW Vice President for South and Southeast Asia Joe Sowers said Goh will take on the additional responsibility of running courses at the UFM Baking and Cooking School in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Ivan has remarkable technical abilities and is very familiar with the training programs U.S. Wheat Associates conducts,” Sowers said. “He understands the wheat foods industry in South and Southeast Asia, having experience with USW and private industry throughout the region. He is also familiar with the other markets USW works in, having collaborated with staff in our Manila, Seoul, Taipei, Beijing, Casablanca, and Latin American offices. USW’s technical specialists are more effective thanks to their global perspective. They share their skills and expertise with each other across all parts of the world. Ivan has the tools and experience to demonstrate the quality benefits of using U.S. wheat to industry partners.”

Mentored by Roy Chung

Goh earned a bachelor’s degree in food science and technology from the University of Putra Malaysia and is fluent in several languages spoken in the region. Importantly, Goh was mentored by USW Bakery Consultant Roy Chung, one of the longest serving USW staff members. In fact, Goh’s initial introduction to USW came when Chung conducted a USW baking workshop at FFM Berhad a decade ago. A year later, in 2015, Goh participated in a USW baking course Chung developed and led at the UFM Baking and Cooking School.

Goh joined USW in March 2018. He left USW and the Biscuit/Bakery and Noodle Technologist position in late 2022 and has since worked in private industry, building further on his skills and experience.

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Wheat Groups Welcome New Funding for Food Assistance and Export Market Development

ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are pleased that U.S. wheat growers now have the opportunity to increase global food assistance and expand export market access under new USDA funding programs announced Oct. 24, 2023. USW and NAWG thank Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for releasing the new funds that will directly benefit U.S. wheat farmers and their overseas customers. Additionally, we thank Senators Stabenow (D-MI) and Boozman (R-AR) for their August 28 letter to Secretary Vilsack formally requesting additional support for trade promotion and food assistance.

Food Assistance

U.S. wheat farmers have been partners in U.S. food assistance programs for more than 60 years and take pride in sharing their harvest to address critical hunger needs around the world. Through the USDA’s Food for Progress and USAID Food for Peace programs, the American people have donated more than one million metric tons of wheat annually for the past three years.

“Additional funding for food assistance programs will help address the most urgent humanitarian needs in a generation. USW and NAWG look forward to working with USDA and other partners to ensure additional food donations generate the most benefit where it is needed most,” said NAWG President Brent Cheyne. “As NAWG works with Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill, we continue to advocate for strengthening the in-kind commodity donation program and additional investments in the existing trade promotion programs.”

Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) addresses the media while holding a U.S. Food Aid sack with and Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) during a press conference announcing the introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act 2023.

Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) addresses the media with Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) during a press conference announcing the introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023.

Export Market Development

Organizations like USW that participate in USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) export market development programs were very encouraged when the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program was established in 2019 as part of a program to ease the effects of trade retaliation against U.S. farmers and exporters. Those funds originated from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and FAS awarded grants to almost 60 cooperating organizations to be invested by 2024.

“USW demonstrated that the additional funding helped us protect crucial wheat export sales in established markets and build a base for growth in new markets,” said USW Chairman and Oklahoma wheat farmer Michael Peters. “We appreciate the introduction of the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), and the USW team will work very hard to use it effectively. Looking ahead, global wheat trade is increasingly competitive and market development takes time and consistency. That’s why we believe that in the long-term, increases for established Farm Bill export development programs are the best way forward.”

Detailed information about USDA FAS export market development programs and funding is available at www.AgExportsCount.com.

All across its supply chain, U.S. wheat depends on the successful public-private partnership between USW’s state wheat commission members and USDA FAS export market development programs. Checkoff contributions qualify USW to apply for matching funds through programs like the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program.

Under U.S. farm legislation, Congress apportions funding for MAP, FMD and other export programs. Annual funding for MAP has not changed from $200 million since 2006 and annual FMD funding of $34.5 million has not changed since 2002, yet other countries have significantly ramped up their export promotion spending.

“Study after study has shown that these programs consistently meet their purpose to boost agricultural export volume and revenue while supporting the entire U.S. economy, and the benefits grow with additional funding,” Peters said.

For more information about the benefits of FAS export market development programs visit www.AgExportsCount.com.

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USW, NAWG Applaud Senate Introduction of American Farmers Feed the World Act

ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) today thank Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) for introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 in the U.S. Senate. The bi-partisan legislation would restore the original intent of the Food for Peace program without spending additional Farm Bill resources, while also safeguarding the interests of hard-working American farmers in providing food to those in need around the world.

USW and NAWG have joined the broader agriculture industry in backing the legislation, seeing it as an effort to use U.S.-grown commodities to fight global hunger rather than spending American taxpayers’ dollars to purchase food from competitors of the U.S. wheat industry.

“It is exciting to see the Senate join the House in supporting the role of U.S. farmers in the Farm Bill’s international food aid programs,” said USW Director of Trade policy Peter Laudeman. “The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 offers an important rebalancing to ensure that Food for Peace remains focused on effectively delivering as much American-grown food to as many people in need as possible. We certainly want to offer a huge thank you to Senator Braun, Senator Tester, Senator Marshall, and Senator Rickets for championing this important bill.”

USW Board Member and Montana wheat farmer Denise Conover said using U.S. wheat to feed those in need across the world is a story that resonates strongly with every farmer.

“As a Montana wheat farmer, I am incredibly proud of the role my farm plays in supporting international food aid programs,” said Conover. “I am pleased to see Senator Tester leading this important bill to ensure that American farmers continue to play this vital role in the Food for Peace program, feeding more Montana wheat to more hungry people at no additional taxpayer cost.”

The American Farmers Feed the World Act empowers American wheat farmers to share their harvest and contribute to the global battle against hunger, Brent Cheyne, President of NAWG and a wheat farmer from Oregon, said.

“Wheat, a vital staple grain accounting for approximately 20 percent of global calorie consumption, receives its highest quality from U.S. wheat farmers, making it an essential resource in nourishing the world,” Cheyne added. “We’ve observed a shift away from utilizing American commodities in food aid programs over the years, which has resulted in diminished transparency, accountability, and bipartisan backing. As Congress considers reauthorizing the Farm Bill later this year, this legislation provides an opportunity to revitalize the role of American agriculture in addressing global hunger.”

Brian Linin, a Goodland, Kansas, wheat farmer who also serves on the USW Board and the USW/NAWG Food Aid Working Group Committee, said wheat farmers in Kansas and across the country have a long history of supporting international food aid.

“Our nation, and those in need, benefit most directly and transparently from receiving American commodities instead of cash and vouchers,” Linin said.

The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 was introduced in the U.S. House on June 22. USW and NAWG have worked with a coalition of other agriculture groups to advance this legislation through the upcoming new Farm Bill.

 

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