Wheat Industry News
News and Information from Around the World Wheat Industry
Speaking of Wheat
“Every one-degree increase in global mean temperature is predicted to result in a six to 10 per cent decrease in wheat yields.” – Australia’s Grains Research & Development Corp.
NAWG Names Thompson Congressional Wheat Leader
NAWG Wheat Leader of the Year
The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) awarded Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania with its 2023 Wheat Leader of the Year Award for his work as Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. “On behalf of NAWG, I thank Chairman Thompson for the work he has done on behalf of wheat growers nationwide,” said NAWG President and Oregon wheat farmer Brent Cheyne, “The 2023 Wheat Leader of the Year Award is the highest honor wheat growers can use to recognize legislators, and it finds the most deserving recipient in Chairman Thompson.” NAWG also presented 19 Members of Congress with its Wheat Advocate Awards for their exceptional support of the wheat industry during 2023.
APHIS Reduces Karnal Bunt Regulated Area
On Feb. 14, 2024, APHIS issued a Federal Order (DA-2024-05) reducing the Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica) regulated areas around eight fields in Maricopa and Pinal Counties to 0.2 miles. This action was based on a scientific analysis required under federal law and completed by APHIS, potentially allowing Desert Durum® production in the newly unregulated area.
K-State Scientist Discusses Wheat Breeding Innovation
Gene editing, genetic modification, transgenic; ever wonder what those terms mean? Eduard Akhunov (photo above) with Kansas State University does, and he explains it all in the latest “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast from Kansas Wheat. Learn how powerful new tools like gene editing can transform the world of wheat breeding, and how science is leveraging ancient genetics to improve modern-day wheat.
Progress on Rapid Falling Number Test
Researchers are advancing on several fronts in their efforts to develop a new immunoassay rapid test for wheat falling number, a key quality factor, according to Washington State University and USDA Agricultural Research Service. Wheat with a low falling number has starch damage and must be sold at a discount because it reduces end-use quality. Beta testing of the new rapid tests is likely to begin in March. The new test should offer results in 5 to 15 minutes and is intended for grain elevators at first to test commercially grown wheat. The current falling number test protocol is prohibitive for point-of-sale use.
Climate-Resilient Crop Research in Australia
Australia’s Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC) has partnered with the Australian National University (ANU) and industry partners to invest in research to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops. The three-year effort will focus on developing heat tolerant wheat genetics and determining what makes a wheat crop able to survive, grow and produce yields under high-temperature conditions. Read more here.
Wheat Food Donations Keep Growing
U.S. Wheat Associates tracks the volume of U.S. wheat donated by the government to food insecure countries, feeding programs, and to non-governmental organizations for monetization programs. To date in marketing year 2023/24, U.S. wheat donations stand at just under 406,000 metric tons (MT). In the five marketing years prior to 2023/24, U.S. wheat donations total more than 5.4 million metric tons.
