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USW and NAWG Welcome Confirmation of Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcome the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Jamieson Greer to fill the position of U.S. Trade Representative.

Both organizations are pleased with Greer’s past work in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. As chief of staff for former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Greer was involved in many important trade negotiations, including those that led to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

“We are pleased to see an appointment who has extensive experience advocating for U.S. farmers, and someone who is aware of trade barriers facing U.S. agriculture,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “We look forward to working with Mr. Greer to open new markets and grow existing markets for U.S. wheat.”

“With over 50 percent of U.S. wheat heading to overseas markets, trade is a major priority for wheat growers. NAWG looks forward to working with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to promote free trade and expand export markets for our nation’s producers,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule.

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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USW and NAWG Support USDA Administration of Food for Peace

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcome new legislation introduced today that would move the Food for Peace international food assistance program under USDA’s administration. The legislation is sponsored by Representatives Tracey Mann of Kansas, Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Dan Newhouse of Washington, David Rouzer of North Carolina and House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson of Pennsylvania, along with Sens. Jerry Moran of Kansas and John Hoeven of North Dakota.

“U.S. wheat has long been proud of the role our farmers play in feeding hungry populations around the world,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “Realigning administration of Food for Peace, our flagship global hunger program, to USDA makes perfect sense and ensures that the agency most closely connected with food is equipped to deliver wholesome food from American farmers to those who most need it.”

USW and NAWG have long advocated for “keeping the food in food aid” and have expressed frustration at growing trends in food assistance programs of cash donations and commodity purchases from U.S. competitors.

“NAWG welcomes this legislation that supports American farmers while working to address hunger around the world,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “Each year, the Food for Peace program buys more than one million metric tons of food, including wheat, to feed millions of starving people in the poorest countries around the world. Under USDA, Food for Peace, this 71-year-old program will feed more people more efficiently and effectively without losing track of starting American foreign policy at home with American farmers.”

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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U.S. Wheat Associates Board Elects New Officers for 2025/26 Term

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) board of directors elected new officers for the organization’s 2025/26 fiscal year (July to June) at their meeting January 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Mike Carstensen of Almira, Wash., was newly elected as the organization’s next Secretary-Treasurer and will take office July in 2025.

At the July board meeting in Boise, Idaho, current Secretary-Treasurer Gary Millershaski of Lakin, Kan., will succeed to Vice Chairman and current Vice Chairman Jim Pellman of McClusky, N.D., will take office as Chairman. Current Chairman Clark Hamilton of Ririe, Idaho, will become Past Chairperson.

USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry.

Portrait of Mike Carstensen

Mike Carstensen

“As a farmer, I believe we have to engage in activities that propel our industry forward,” Carstensen said. “I know the success of our market development efforts is critical to the success and sustainability of my operation. And I’ve seen the great work done by the U.S. Wheat Associates staff. It will be an honor to support these efforts, help guide the organization, and represent wheat farmers across the country.”

Carstensen received a bachelor’s degree in business management and accounting from Whitworth University and an MBA with an emphasis in economics from the University of Phoenix. He worked in farm credit before returning to the family farm in 1985 that he, his wife Lorie, and their son Justin currently operate. They raise soft white wheat, club wheat and feed grains using high-level mulch tillage and direct seeding. Carstensen is a commissioner of the Washington Grain Commission and served as its chairman in 2021-22. He also serves on the boards of HighLine Grain Growers, Inc.; Tri-Cities Grain; the County Conservation District; and the National Wheat Improvement Committee.

Other Officers

Jim Pellman and his wife, Candace, have two children and grow wheat, barley, canola, corn, and soybeans on the farm they started in 1990 near McClusky, N.D. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University, Pellman worked as an ag lender and county supervisor with Farmers Home Administration and then several years as a community banker. He served as Chief and on the board of his community’s volunteer fire department and as chairman of a local non-profit housing organization. Pellman represents Sheridan County on the North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC).

Gary Millershaski, his wife Jana, and their sons Jeremy and Kyler grow hard white (HW) and hard red winter (HRW) wheat, dryland corn and milo, and manage a cow/calf operation on their western Kansas farm. He became a Kansas Wheat Commissioner in 2016 and has served as its chairman. He also served as a director of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG) from 2007 to 2017 after he received a KAWG scholarship while a member of the Class VIII Kansas Agricultural & Rural Leadership (KARL) program.

Clark Hamilton and his wife Kristy own Hamilton Triple C Farms, a diversified farm in eastern Idaho that they operate with their two sons. They grow four specific wheat classes as well as barley, potatoes, pulses, and alfalfa. Hamilton served as an executive officer of the Idaho Grain Producers Association (IGPA), including one year as president, and is a long-time board member of Ririe Grain and Feed Cooperative, Inc. He is currently a commissioner on the Idaho Wheat Commission and served as chair of that organization. Hamilton remains active in leadership roles in his church and community.

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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.

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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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