Wheat Industry News From Around the World
Speaking of Wheat “As president … I talked to experienced producers facing the realities of this downturn in the ag economy, and they feared they would not be able to secure operating credit in 2025 without some form of economic assistance. This legislation provides farmers with a bridge heading into next year. However … enacting […]
Putting Wheat Quality in the Spotlight
By Steve Wirsching, USW Vice President and West Coast Office Director It is U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) mission to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” The overseas market has changed tremendously in the last 25 years. In the 1990s, the United […]
Latin American Holiday Traditions Help Inform Wheat Breeders
By Steve Wirsching, USW Vice President and Director, West Coast Office In Latin America, the holidays are filled with special wheat food traditions. Mexicans celebrate the visit of the Three Kings to the Christ child with Rosca de Reyes (Kings Cake Wreath), a ring-shaped sweet bread. In Peru, wheat consumption increases with Panettone bread sales. This […]
Wheat Quality Improvement Team Travels to Asia to Discuss Quality Control
By Steve Wirsching, USW Vice President and Director, West Coast Office The USW Wheat Quality Improvement Team (WQIT) connects wheat breeders who develop new varieties with overseas customers to discuss which quality characteristics end users value the most. This is essential to the breeding process because for farmers about half of their wheat is exported […]
Wheat Quality Improvement Team to Hear Customer Preferences in Asia
By Steve Wirsching, USW Vice President and Director, West Coast Office This week and next, USW is conducting a top-level Wheat Quality Improvement Team (WQIT) of U.S. wheat breeders taking face-to-face meetings with Asian milling and baking quality control managers to discuss end-use quality and functionality. The breeders will hear first-hand what quality characteristics customers […]
PNW Vessel Delays Begin to Improve
By Steve Wirsching, USW Vice President and West Coast Office Director This winter the Pacific Northwest (PNW) has seen snowstorms and record rainfall that reduced vessel loading and inbound rail service. A slowing of rail service for just a few weeks manifested itself into long vessel lineups and loading delays of up to three to […]