Recent news and highlights from around the U.S. wheat industry.

Speaking of Wheat

“We agree that trade, along with domestic production, plays a vital role in improving global food security in all its dimensions and enhancing nutrition. We commit to take concrete steps to facilitate trade and improve the functioning and long-term resilience of global markets for food and agriculture, including cereals, fertilizers, and other agriculture production inputs. Particular consideration will be given to the specific needs and circumstances of developing country Members, especially those of least-developed and net food-importing developing countries. We underscore the need for agri-food trade to flow, and reaffirm the importance of not imposing export prohibitions or restrictions in a manner inconsistent with relevant WTO provisions.”

– From the Draft Ministerial Declaration on the Emergency Response to Food Insecurity adopted by the World Trade Organization at the 12^th Ministerial Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2022.

Prices Weakening

U.S. wheat futures prices were down significantly last week, and the decline has continued this week. Soft red winter (SRW) futures closed down 36 cents at $10.34/bu, and early on June 23, the September price was about $9.75/bu. Hard red winter (HRW) futures closed last week down 57 cents at $11.05/bu, with the September contract at $10.22/bu early on June 23. Hard red spring (HRS) futures ended last week down 52 cents at $11.69/bu, and on June 23, the September price was $10.88/bu.

Focus on Drought

On Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources held a hearing to discuss the persistent drought and the western water crisis. On June 1, the administration’s Drought Resilience Interagency Working Group released a report outlining actions taken over the previous year to improve drought resilience. Research could help the industry adapt to drought conditions. Washington State University was awarded a Seeding Solutions grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research to identify genes in spring wheat that would allow it to be more heat and drought resilient. Brazil has begun field testing Bioceres’ HB4 wheat, a drought-resistant, genetically modified wheat variety.

Focus on Ukraine

During a meeting with U.N. ambassadors and officials at the U.S. Mission to the U.N., U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the USDA and The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine are entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance coordination between the U.S. and Ukrainian agriculture and food sectors and build a strategic partnership to address food security. Through the MOU, USDA announced that the United States and Ukraine will “exchange of information and expertise regarding crop production, emerging technologies, climate-smart practices, food security, and supply chain issues to boost productivity and enhance both agricultural sectors.” Read more here.

2022 Hard Spring Wheat and Durum Tour

The annual Wheat Quality Council spring wheat tour is scheduled for July 25 to 28, 2022. The tour will provide the first production estimate for the 2022 U.S. hard red spring and durum crops. Tour information and registration are posted here. Customers can follow the tour in real-time by following #wheattour22 on Twitter and keep up to date on the entire U.S. wheat harvest with the weekly USW Harvest Report.

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USW publishes various reports and content available to subscribe to, including a bi-weekly newsletter highlighting recent Wheat Letter blog posts and wheat industry news, the weekly Price Report, and the weekly Harvest Report (available May to October). Subscribe here.

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Visit our Facebook page for the latest updates, photos, and discussions of what is going on in the world of wheat. Also, find breaking news on Twitter, video stories on Vimeo, and more on LinkedIn.

 

Recent news and highlights from around the U.S. wheat industry.

Speaking of Wheat

“I tip my hat to modern wheat breeders. The wheat out there is finding a way. The plant bottom was in drought, but the top half is making a head and finding a way. Twenty years ago, our genetics would not do that. The genetics are making a difference, I think.” – Aaron Harries, Vice President of Research and Operations, Kansas Wheat, from a Kansas Farmer photo story about the Wheat Quality Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour May 16 to 19, 2022.

UK to Consider Gene Editing Benefits

Precision breeding technologies, like gene editing, have a range of benefits. They give scientists the power to help farmers and producers develop plant varieties and animals with beneficial traits that could also occur through traditional breeding and natural processes but more efficiently and precisely. On May 24, 2022, legislation that would open research to gene editing in the United Kingdom was introduced to Parliament as the Genetic Technology Bill. George Eustice, UK Environment Secretary, told the Daily Mail, “Outside the EU, we are free to follow the science. These precision technologies allow us to speed up the breeding of plants that have natural resistance to diseases and better use of soil nutrients so we can have higher yields with fewer pesticides and fertilizers.”

Washington Grain Commission Begins Leadership Transition

The Washington Grain Commission (WGC) has announced it is seeking applicants for its Chief Executive Officer position. The WGC CEO serves as the operations and business manager, information liaison and representative and is ultimately responsible for the successful implementation of the policies and actions of the WGC. The position will remain open until it is filled, with no specific completion date specified. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please reference WGC–CEO in the email subject line. WGC is a member organization of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW).

Lakes Port Tour

The Northern Crops Institute (NCI) is hosting a two-day export tour in Duluth, Minn., June 20 to 21, 2022. NCI calls the tour an excellent opportunity to visit Duluth/Superior grain export facilities and learn how grains from the Northern Great Plains are handled and shipped to destinations worldwide. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the Duluth Superior Port Authority, container and rail yards, and grain terminal and hear presentations from industry professionals. The deadline for registration is June 10. Learn more and register here.

Perspective on India’s Wheat Export Policies

The news service Aljazeera has published an interesting article on the uncertainty affecting the global wheat market, Indian wheat farmers and grain traders from India’s recent wheat export policies. Sharing frustration with his government’s intervention, one Indian farmer said, “it is the farmers’ interest that is often sacrificed to keep consumer prices low.” Read the article here.

Photo Story: Day in the Life of U.S. Agriculture

There is agricultural activity going on at all times of the day in all areas of the United States. Farm Progress editors went out on May 18, 2022, to capture moments happening on farms and ranches during the day. There was planting, harvesting, researching, marketing, livestock pasturing and even an image from the Wheat Quality Council Hard Winter Wheat Tour. View the photo story here.

Subscribe to USW Reports

USW publishes various reports and content available to subscribe to, including a bi-weekly newsletter highlighting recent Wheat Letter blog posts and wheat industry news, the weekly Price Report, and the weekly Harvest Report (available May to October). Subscribe here.

Follow USW Online

Visit our Facebook page for the latest updates, photos, and discussions of what is going on in the world of wheat. Also, find breaking news on Twitter, video stories on Vimeo, and more on LinkedIn.

 

Recent news and highlights from around the U.S. wheat industry.

Speaking of Wheat

“This growing season has the unprecedented combination of geopolitics, weather, and some of the highest fertilizer prices and chemical inputs — but farmers here and abroad will remain resilient reminders of the importance of agriculture as a constant in a world full of conflict.” – Justin Gilpin, Kansas Wheat CEO. Read more here.

Wheat Farmers, Millers Concerned About Rail Performance

This week, U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) held a public hearing on recent rail service problems and recovery efforts involving several Class I carriers. Shippers like wheat farmers, elevators, flour millers and others have experienced significant problems for months. North Dakota Wheat Commission Policy and Marketing Director Jim Peterson says the rail situation is as difficult as it has been in many years, with freight backed up for four-to-six weeks. U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the National Association of Wheat Growers and the North American Millers’ Association submitted written testimony about the impact of service issues. Read more here.

National Wheat Yield Contest Opens for 2022 Contest Entries

The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) is pleased to announce that it is accepting grower enrollment for the 2022 National Wheat Yield Contest! The contest is divided into two primary competition categories: winter wheat and spring wheat, and two subcategories: dryland and irrigated. Winter Wheat entries are due May 16, and Spring Wheat entries are due August 1. Read more about the contest here, or to enter, go online to yieldcontest.wheatfoundation.org.

Meet the Wheat Yield Contest Director

Anne Osborne is the NWF product director for the National Wheat Yield Contest and other initiatives. She is an agricultural educator by training who says she enjoys helping farmers. “It is a big picture thing for me because we all think about why farming is important, but I also think about feeding the world. It is important for us to be able to grow crops that are safe and provide food for the world.” Read more in this profile from the Westbred seed company here.

Ohio’s Place in the World Wheat Market

A recent news story from Ohio provides relevant information about how the timing of winter wheat seeding and development affects the ability of farmers to respond to the market signal that the world needs more wheat. Ohio farmers grow soft red winter wheat and, like all Northern Hemisphere producers, will decide if seeding more wheat later this year is a profitable decision. Read and watch more here.

Subscribe to USW Reports

USW publishes various reports and content available to subscribe to, including a bi-weekly newsletter highlighting recent Wheat Letter blog posts and wheat industry news, the weekly Price Report, and the weekly Harvest Report (available May to October). Subscribe here.

Follow USW Online

Visit our Facebook page for the latest updates, photos, and discussions of what is going on in the world of wheat. Also, find breaking news on Twitter, video stories on Vimeo, and more on LinkedIn.

 

 

 Recent news and highlights from around the U.S. wheat industry.

Speaking of Wheat

“Because Ukraine is a major producer of food and livestock feed, as well as a leading export hub, suppression of the nation’s media … can have destructive impacts on a global scale…IFAJ vigorously urges an immediate end to attacks on Ukraine’s population, including our colleagues in the media and communications fields, and a resumption of the free flow of news and information.” — The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, from a statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Congratulations Colleagues

We are fortunate to have devoted, loyal colleagues at USW. This month Pansy Shepherdson, an accounting technician in the USW Singapore Office, is celebrating 40 years, while Aska Tam, a program coordinator in the USW Hong Kong Office, is celebrating 35 years. Thank you, Pansy, and Aska, for your service to our organization, U.S. wheat farmers, and our customers worldwide.

Congratulations, Don Schieber!

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) 2010/11 Chairman Don Schieber of Ponca City, Okla., was recently honored with the 2022 Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture and will be the 25^th inductee into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame. “He is an exceptional agriculturist, is extremely passionate about what he does, and has truly raised the bar for Oklahoma wheat producers,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur. Don, you were already in the USW hall of fame, but congratulations on a well-deserved honor! Read more here.

USW Participates in Ag on the Mall for National Ag Day

On March 21 to 22, USW was out on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with the National Association of Wheat Growers and North American Millers’ Association for the Celebration of Modern Agriculture for National Ag Day! Staff from all three organizations enjoyed great weather while talking to visitors from all over about U.S wheat and flour milling. The exhibit included an interactive display for people to mill wheat into flour, a trivia game, and wheat food snacks. USW friend and consultant Didier Rosada baked several beautiful loaves of bread for the display (picture above), which were great conversation starters with people from all walks of life. Rosada is an award-winning Master Baker with his own bakery, Uptown Bakers, in Hyattsville, Md. Thank you, Didier!

Threat to Snake River Dams Growing

Pacific Northwest newspapers recently reported growing bipartisan support in Washington, D.C., for breaching dams on the Lower Snake River. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., organized a roundtable discussion in Richland, Wash., on National Agriculture Day (March 22, 2022) to discuss and build awareness of the threat to the four federally managed dams on the Snake between Lewiston, Idaho, and Washington’s Tri-Cities. Read more here.

NAWG Launches Farm Bill Survey

Current Farm Bill programs will expire or lapse with the 2018 Farm Bill on September 30, 2023. As the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) continues to develop its Farm Bill priorities, it has launched a Farm Bill Survey to gather feedback from wheat farmers about policies of most importance to them and the wheat industry. Access the survey on the NAWG website here.

Farm Bill Hearing

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture will hold a hearing on “A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: International Trade and Food Assistance Programs” Wed. April 6, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. A live stream of the hearing will be available on YouTube here.

Subscribe to USW Reports

USW publishes various reports and content available to subscribe to, including a bi-weekly newsletter highlighting recent Wheat Letter blog posts and wheat industry news, the weekly Price Report, and the weekly Harvest Report (available May to October). Subscribe here.

Follow USW Online

Visit our Facebook page for the latest updates, photos, and discussions of what is going on in the world of wheat. Also, find breaking news on Twitter, video stories on Vimeo, and more on LinkedIn.

Recent news and highlights from around the U.S. wheat industry.

Speaking of Wheat

“During yet another market disruption related to Russian government intervention, the U.S. wheat store remains open and operating predictably and transparently on a sound commercial basis. The disruption has fueled challenging market volatility. But during this crisis, all customers have an equal opportunity to access to U.S. wheat supplies in order to run mills and maintain our shared responsibilities to feed the world’s people.” – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) President Vince Peterson.

Ag on the National Mall

A “Celebration of Modern Agriculture” will be held on March 21 and March 22 (National Ag Day) on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Exhibits at the event will feature hands-on displays of modern technology and equipment that is driving agriculture’s tradition of innovation. The event, including a wheat industry exhibit, will be open near the Smithsonian Metro station from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day.

Congratulations to USW’s Tyllor Ledford!

Tyllor Ledford, assistant director in the USW West Coast Office, was recently awarded the 2022 Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award by the Southern Agricultural Economics Association. Ledford completed her master’s degree in August 2021 at Texas Tech University’s Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics. Her thesis examined the impacts of food insecurity on terrorism and conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa. Read the full announcement here.

2022 National Wheat Yield Contest Opens

The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) is now accepting grower enrollment for the 2022 National Wheat Yield Contest. The contest includes winter wheat and spring wheat categories and two subcategories: dryland and irrigated. NWF emphasizes that the contest “will help increase U.S. wheat growers’ productivity to ensure an ample supply of quality U.S. wheat to reliably meet the needs of the domestic wheat market and our overseas customers.” Learn more about the contest and how to enter here.

Subscribe to USW Reports

USW publishes various reports and content that are available to subscribe to, including a bi-weekly newsletter highlighting recent Wheat Letter blog posts and wheat industry news, the weekly Price Report and the weekly Harvest Report (available May to October). Subscribe here.

Follow USW Online

Visit our Facebook page for the latest updates, photos and discussions of what is going on in the world of wheat. Also, find breaking news on Twitter, video stories on Vimeo and more on LinkedIn.