Wheat Industry News
News from the Global Wheat Industry
Speaking of Wheat
“It has been a pleasure to work with the entire USW staff across the globe on various wheat trade issues and helping with the wheat grading seminars. USW has done a great deal to educate the foreign buyers and to support our farmers! I will never forget all the great things we have done together!” – Retiring Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) Senior Manager Byron Reilly.
USDA’s First Look at 2025/26
At its 2025 “Ag Outlook Forum” Feb. 27, USDA forecasted U.S. farmers will plant 47 million acres of wheat for 2025/26 with most of the increase in winter wheat, compared to 46.1 million this year. U.S. production is projected 2% below 2024/2025 at 1.926 billion bushels (just more than 52.4 million metric tons) on a slight reduction in harvested area and a lower yield, likely in anticipation of increased drought risk.
USW’s Vince Peterson Looks Back and Ahead
On the current episode of the Kansas Wheat podcast, “Wheat’s On Your Mind,” host Aaron Harries talks with U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) President and CEO Vince Peterson (photo above) about his career and the future of wheat. Vince is preparing to retire in 2025, and he reflected on the evolution of the global wheat market, emphasizing the importance of quality, reliability, and personal relationships in international trade. He also noted the projected increase in global wheat demand and the need for improved logistics. Listen to the podcast here.
U.S. Consumers Like Grains
Most U.S. consumers have a positive view of grains, including wheat. That is the overall conclusion of recently announced research by Ardent Mills. The study surveyed 10,000 U.S. consumers over the age of 18, who were responsible for their household’s food sourcing. The research found that 59% of consumers agree that grains are the cornerstone of American diets, and 46% say they plan to eat more grains in the next year. The majority also said they want more information about grains. Read more from World Grain here.
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect Snake River Dams
Legislation proposed by Idaho and Washington lawmakers aims to protect the four Lower Snake River dams. The Northwest Energy Security Act directs the federal Columbia River power system to follow a 2020 Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement, which states the dams should not be breached. Supporters argue the dams provide essential benefits, including agricultural support particularly for Pacific Northwest wheat growers and their overseas customers.
Best Wishes to Long-Time FGIS Partner Byron Reilly
USW sends best wishes to Byron Reilly, who will retire this month after 49 years with FGIS. Byron currently serves as Director, International Affairs Division, and has been a valued partner with USW. He has traveled to address grain quality issues and technical barriers to trade, helped establish grain inspection labs in several countries to train government and industry inspectors, and supported market development activities. He established a program to station FGIS inspector overseas to address customer concerns and provide grading training. Thank you for your service to American agriculture, Byron, and we wish you many happy and healthy years in retirement!
Idaho wheat farmer Bill Flory addressed participants at a bakery fair in Manila, Philippines, during a USW Board Team visit to Southeast and North Asian markets in 2023.
Idaho Wheat Farmers Recognized for Excellence in Agriculture
Leadership Idaho Agriculture recently recognized Idaho wheat farmer and past U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) director Bill Flory for and fellow Idahoan Blake Matthews for Excellence in Agriculture during an Idaho Ag Summit in Boise. The sponsor honored Flory for Technical Innovation and Matthews for Environmental Stewardship. Flory has farmed in north-central Idaho since 1976, growing diverse crops and advocating for the wheat industry. He has strengthened global trade relationships through international outreach and trade missions with USW while prioritizing research, education, and market development to benefit Idaho wheat farmers.
Toward a World Without Hunger
More than 150 Nobel and World Food Prize honorees have asked global leaders to provide financial and political support for groundbreaking “moonshot” technologies to prevent a future hunger crisis. In an open letter, they warned that the world is far from meeting future food demands, with 700 million people currently facing hunger and an additional 1.5 billion needing food by 2050. They emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, conflict, and market pressures. Cary Fowler, 2024 World Food Prize Laureate and former U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security led the effort.
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