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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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Another Welcome Check on India’s Wheat and Rice Subsidies From USTR

ARLINGTON, Virginia – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) today praised the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for submitting a counter-notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on India’s domestic support, input subsidies, and market support prices for wheat and rice.

This is the latest in a series of U.S. counter-notifications showing India is not transparent about the true level of wheat and rice support it provides. Joining the United States in this notification were the governments of Argentina, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine.

“We appreciate that the USTR and other country delegations are working to highlight India’s trade-distorting wheat support,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “India’s government continues to be out of compliance on its commitments and its refusal to compromise on its level of support and public stockholding is blocking any progress on agricultural negotiations at the WTO. It is important to keep bringing this issue to light with hope that it will eventually pressure India to become a responsible trading partner.”

“Thank you to the USTR for their continued efforts to push India to follow through and come into compliance with their WTO commitments,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “Farmers in the United States understand the importance of supporting producers when needed. However, India’s approach is the wrong way to do it, and it is important that they follow through on their commitments.”

Support Schemes

India’s wheat support schemes incentivize overproduction and discourage farmers from growing other crops. This has led to massive public stocks of wheat that the Indian government has at times dumped onto international markets. The disruption it causes harms farmers in exporting countries and their customers who benefit from stable markets.

Under its WTO commitments, India may provide subsidies equal to no more than 10% of the total value of crop production. In marketing years 2021/22 and 2022/23 covered in the counter-notification, the United States and other countries demonstrate through India’s own data that its support level far exceeds that limit.

USW and NAWG are committed to working with USTR and other government officials to address these challenges and to ensure that U.S. wheat farmers have a fair chance to compete in the global marketplace.

# # #

About U.S. Wheat Associates. 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 our website at www.uswheat.org.

About the National Association of Wheat Growers. 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 in the Wheat Growers Building 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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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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