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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 Statement on USDA Approval of HB4® Drought-Tolerant Wheat Trait

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) commends the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its thorough, science-based process resulting in the deregulation of the HB4® drought-tolerant trait from Bioceres Crop Solutions announced on August 27, 2024. The farmer leaders of USW are confident that the HB4® trait has the potential to deliver significant producer and consumer benefits.

Although USDA’s ruling clears the regulatory pathway for cultivation of HB4® wheat in the United States, there are several additional steps needed before those benefits are realized and HB4® is grown commercially in the United States. These include the need to conduct closed-system field trials prior to commercialization. USW will continue monitoring Bioceres’ commercialization plans to ensure careful stewardship and alignment with the “Wheat Industry Principles for Biotechnology Commercialization” developed jointly with the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).

“Wherever wheat is grown in the world, drought takes its toll on yields and quality, so an innovation like HB4 holds a lot of interest for growers like me,” said USW Past Chairman and Okarche, Okla., wheat grower Michael Peters. “With global demand for wheat hitting new records almost every year, there is concern about variable production.

Photo of Michael Peters on his farm in Oklahoma.

Michael Peters on his farm near Okarche, Okla. Photo By Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman.

A drought-tolerant trait offers more stable, sustainable production. At the same time, it is important that customers who have specific purchase preferences understand the industry supports their ability to purchase the type of wheat they want. That remains our policy after more than 16 years.”

In line with the principles for commercialization, USW and NAWG support for HB4® and any transgenic wheat commercialization is linked to the technology company receiving regulatory approval in major importing countries that represent at least five percent of average U.S. wheat export volume.

In addition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepting the safety of the HB4® trait in 2022, Bioceres has received regulatory approval for food and feed use in Nigeria, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and South Africa, and has applied for approval in several other countries. Farmers are currently growing wheat with the HB4® trait in Argentina and Brazil. Bioceres also plans field trials in Australia with the intent to gain regulatory approval for cultivation there.

“A drought-tolerant trait offers more stable and sustainable production. At the same time, it is important that customers who may be concerned about introducing transgenic wheat into U.S. supplies understand the industry supports their ability to purchase the type of wheat they want. That remains our policy after more than 16 years.” – Michael Peters

“Our organization has established a productive dialogue with Bioceres, and we appreciate that the company understands the importance of our joint wheat industry principles,” said USW Director of Trade Policy Peter Laudeman. “I have travelled with growers to Argentina to see HB4 wheat in the field and they were impressed by its performance. We believe the trait represents good science with positive potential to improve food security in a more sustainable way.”

Peter Laudeman Thumbnail Portrait

Peter Laudeman, USW Director of Trade Policy.

Laudeman noted that beyond the announcement of the competed regulatory review, it will still take years for Bioceres to complete the additional steps needed to successfully commercialize wheat with the HB4® trait in the United States.

“There is still a lot of ground to cover with this technology and our organization will stay actively engaged in the process on behalf of our farmers and overseas customers,” Laudeman said, “We appreciate the commitment that Bioceres is making to working with its wheat industry partners to ensure robust stewardship of this technology prior to commercial release.”

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

A broadcast version of this statement is available here.

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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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U.S. Wheat Associates 2024/25 Officers Start One-Year Terms

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) board of directors seated officers for 2024/25 at their annual meeting July 11, 2024, in Oklahoma City, Okla. USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry.

At the meeting, the farmer directors recognized the service of 2023/24 Chairman Michael Peters, of Okarche, Okla., who passed the gavel to 2024/25 USW Chairman Clark Hamilton, Ririe, Idaho. Jim Pellman, McClusky, N.D., started his term as Vice Chairman. Gary Millershaski, Lakin, Kan., was seated as Secretary-Treasurer. These officers were elected January 30, 2024, during the USW board’s meeting in Washington, D.C.

Several USW board committees and working groups including Wheat Quality, Wheat Transportation, Long Range Planning, Communications, and Food Aid also met on July 10.

U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) 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.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value, and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

USW Officers 2024/25

Vince Peterson, President and CEO; Michael Peters, Past Chairman; Clark Hamilton, Chairman; Jim Pellman, Vice Chairman; Gary Millershaski, Secretary-Treasurer.

 

2024/25 USW Chairman Clark Hamilton, Ririe, Idaho

 

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Bakery Technician Sam Yap Joins U.S. Wheat Associates in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) announces a new addition to its team in its regional Singapore Office. Sam Yap joins the organization this month as a bakery technician with a regional focus in South and Southeast Asia.

“We are excited to welcome a talented baker with valuable industry experience and insight to support customers in markets where demand for high-quality U.S. wheat continues to grow,” said Joe Sowers, USW Regional Vice President for South and Southeast Asia. “USW has a strong legacy of dependable technical service in this region led by Roy Chung. With Roy as their mentor, Sam joins Ivan Goh and Adrian Redondo in carrying on that exceptional work into the future.”

“I am excited to join the U.S. Wheat Associates team and use my skills and experience to support the increasing demand for high-quality U.S. wheat in South and Southeast Asia,” said Yap.

Portrait of Sam Yap, USW Bakery Technician

Sam Yap, Bakery Technician, U.S. Wheat Associates.

Head Baker

Nearly a decade of experience in high-end bakeries and hotels equips Yap to have an immediate impact on the region. Most recently, he spent five years at Keong Saik Bakery in Singapore, a leading traditional Chinese bakery. As head baker of the bread team, Yap was involved in all aspects of bakery production and management—experience that will help him relate to and understand the needs of U.S. wheat customers.

Yap has a diploma in culinary skills from SHATEC – Singapore and is currently working toward a diploma in applied science focused on nutrition and food science at Republic Polytechnic. In addition, Yap has completed several courses and certifications across South Asia, further developing his skills and knowledge of breads, pastries, baking with kefir probiotics, and more. In addition to his professional experience, Yap is fluent in Mandarin, Bahasa, and English.

South and Southeast Asian Wheat Exports

Major wheat markets in USW’s South and Southeast Asian region include the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. At the end of the 2023/24 marketing year, U.S. wheat commercial sales to the region totaled 4.5 million metric tons of hard red spring, soft white, hard red winter, and soft red winter wheat, representing 24% of total U.S. commercial sales.

U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) 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.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value, and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

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USW Joins Agriculture Groups, Labor Unions in Applauding Life-Saving International Food Aid Reform in House Farm Bill Text

May 17, 2024 – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) joins the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA), National Association of Wheat Growers, Midwest Dry Bean Coalition, USA Rice, and AFL-CIO in applauding the House Agriculture Committee for its inclusion of life-saving reforms to U.S. international food aid programs in today’s release of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024. These reforms would immediately feed more people without spending any new taxpayer dollars.

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 includes a 50 percent floor for U.S. commodities and ocean shipping in Food for Peace, ensuring that at least half of the budget goes directly to the program’s mission of feeding hungry people worldwide. Through its reforms, the Act preserves a robust role for USDA and the American farmers, millers, and shippers that have reliably contributed to Food for Peace since its inception.  Additionally, it simplifies the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust release mechanism so that the program can respond efficiently and effectively to hunger crises, as intended.

“The Farm Food and National Security Act of 2024 sends a clear message that Food for Peace should be delivering as much American grown food to as many hungry people as possible,” said USW Director of Trade Policy Peter Laudeman. “This is a mission that U.S. wheat farmers are proud to support, and we look forward to seeing these important reforms carried through the farm bill process.”

USW’s partners in backing the measure also voiced strong support.

“The food aid reforms included in the House farm bill ensure that more food will go directly into the bellies of hungry people around the world. In a time of such unprecedented famine emergency, we cannot imagine a higher priority than making sure we are feeding as many people as possible,” said NAMA Vice President of Government Affairs Kim Cooper.

“American labor has long supported the Food for Peace program, and is proud to endorse these provisions in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 that ensure our nation continues its leadership in the fight against global hunger,” said Mark Clements, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO.

 

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Celebrating The Future of Agriculture – and Wheat Foods, From Farm to Flour – on the National Mall

The U.S. Wheat Associates, National Association of Wheat Growers, North American Millers’ Association, and American Bakers Association are joining the Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall near the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters on May 6, 7, and 8, 2024. The event will showcase the constant improvement in American agriculture from farmers, ranchers, equipment manufacturers, and input innovators on the cutting-edge of science and technology. 

NAMA, USW, NAWG, and ABA will host an exhibit that tells the story of wheat production, from field to flour to favorite wheat foods here and around the world. The exhibit will include interactive displays that tell the story of this iconic American crop and the industries it supports.

During the event, leaders from all four organizations will be available to speak with the media about their organizations’ participation in the event and how America’s wheat industry, from grower to manufacturer, is producing wholesome, sustainable staple foods to improve food security for a growing world. 

The event will be held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, near the Smithsonian Metro station, outside the USDA headquarters between the Smithsonian museums. The joint wheat industry exhibit will be located at Booth 32 near the Jefferson Drive SW and 7th St SW intersection (see map below).

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Wheat Groups Welcome New Funding for Food Assistance

ARLINGTON, Virginia — (April 18, 2024) –

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are pleased that U.S. wheat farmers can help increase global food assistance under a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding program announced today.

USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will invest $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding to provide for the purchase, shipment and distribution of U.S. wheat and other commodities for USAID international food assistance programming.

“American wheat farmers are proud to step up to the plate to provide critical food resources to address global needs,” Oklahoma wheat farmer and USW Chairman Michael Peters said. “This funding will provide wheat and other commodities to address food insecurity. These additional resources will help the U.S. wheat industry, and U.S. agriculture, continue to be a reliable source of food for the world.”

USW and NAWG thank Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for releasing the new funds that will directly benefit U.S. wheat farmers and people affected by hunger in several countries. Additionally, the organizations thank Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Boozman (R-AR) for a letter they sent to Vilsack this past fall formally requesting additional support for food assistance.

U.S. wheat farmers have been partners in U.S. food assistance programs for more than 70 years and take pride in sharing their harvest to address critical hunger needs. 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 significant benefits where they are needed,” said NAWG President Keeff Felty. “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.”

Members of the USW and NAWG Food Aid Working Group are proud of the wheat provided through these food aid programs and believe that commodity donation is an effective portion of the whole effort.

“Wheat makes up the largest portion of emergency food assistance managed by USAID’s Food for Peace office,” said Amanda Hoey, Chief Executive Officer, Oregon Wheat Commission and Chair of the USW Food Aid Working Group. “It is a natural demonstration of the generosity of U.S. farmers and their ability to produce an abundance of commodities that can be shared around the world.”

For more information about food security and assistance, visit the USW website here, and the NAWG website here.

 

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