U.S. Wheat Associates Sees Positive Outcome at WTO Ministerial Conference

To misquote Mark Twain, reports of the death of agricultural negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) are exaggerated. That is a key message for the world’s wheat growers and buyers following the Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In the WTO photo above, Director General Okonjo-Iweala encouraged members to […]
Importance of Trade, Relationship-Building Discussed as Leaders Gather in Washington

Agricultural trade – including topics tied closely to the work of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) – was a major focus during the 100th annual Ag Outlook Forum hosted Feb. 15-16 by USDA in Washington, D.C. A panel discussion titled, “100 Years of U.S. Ag Trade; A Century of Growth, Innovation, and Progress” was the highlight […]
USW Joins Panel Discussion on Role of Commodities in International Food Assistance

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) participated in a Feb. 6 briefing panel for Capitol Hill staff that was focused on international food assistance programs and hosted by U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS), Rick Crawford (AR), John Garamendi (CA) and Jimmy Panetta (CA). USW Director of Trade Policy Peter Laudeman was a panel member along with representatives […]
Washington Grain Commission CEO Testifies on Behalf of Columbia Snake River System

On Jan. 30, 2024, Casey Chumrau, CEO of the Washington Grain Commission, offered compelling testimony supporting the crucial infrastructure of dams and locks on the Columbia Snake River System (CSRS) at a U.S. House Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing. U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) sent separate […]
Senate Ag Committee Leadership Urges More Support for Trade Promotion and Food Assistance

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Boozman (R-Ark), Ranking Member, have urged USDA to use its authorities under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act to support opportunities for U.S. farmers. In a letter to the USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Stabenow and Boozman highlighted the need […]
A Legacy of Commitment – The USDA and U.S. Wheat Export Public-Private Partnership Today

In this article, originally published during U.S. Wheat Associates’ 40th anniversary in 2020, Wheat Letter describes the highly successful public-private partnership supporting U.S. wheat export market development that has endured since the 1950s. “The proper role of government…is that of partner with the farmer – never his master. By every possible means we must develop […]
Listening Session Reinforces Support for Key Farm Bill Programs Impacting U.S. Farmers and Their Global Customers

Between ceiling-high stacks of seed and against a backdrop of multi-colored combines, House Agriculture Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15) and U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) conducted a food and agriculture listening session in early May. The remarks revealed support for the future of market development programs, food aid assistance and the continued reliability of the […]
Japan Flour Millers Express Appreciation for Wheat Farmers While on First Visit to U.S. Since 2019

Eight executives from top Japanese flour mills arrived in the U.S. this week, bringing with them an astute observation about the global wheat market: Supply and demand have had an odd relationship over the past three years. Through it all, Toshiaki Yokoyama emphasized, “the relationship between U.S. wheat and Japan has not wavered.” During a […]
The Beginning of a New Food Security Initiative?

A new paper on food security submitted by the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO) has to date received little attention but it could signify a meaningful shift in dealing with agriculture issues at the WTO. That paper, entitled “The World Trade Organization’s Role in Enhancing Food Security” suggests that facilitating rules- and […]
USW Trade Policy Team Addresses India’s Subsidies, Turkish Flour at WTO

During World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings in Geneva last week, USW’s Trade Policy team was able to dig deeper into programs in India and Turkey that have potential to affect global wheat trade and ultimately the bottom lines of U.S. farmers. It was also able to touch base with U.S. wheat allies on trade issues […]