Wheat Industry News
Recent news and highlights from around the wheat industry.
Speaking of Wheat: “Every month, the top leaders of [NAWG and USW] … discuss our shared priorities. I feel both organizations are realizing more and more that when we work together, we are able to move the wheat industry forward and make it prosperous.” – Dave Milligan, 2020/21 President of the National Association of Wheat Growers and a wheat farmer from Cass City, Mich. Read more.
Congratulations. We are fortunate to have devoted, loyal colleagues at U.S. Wheat Associates (USW). This month, Ian Flagg is celebrating 15 years with the organization. Ian is the Regional Vice President for the European, Middle Eastern and North African Regions and is based in the USW Rotterdam Office. Thank you, Ian, for your service to our organization, U.S. wheat farmers and our customers.
Farmer Concerns About Climate Change. A 2020 study for Syngenta by IPSOS Mori found that 72% of large-scale farmers in the United States, France, China, Brazil, India and across Africa are worried about the impact climate change will have on crop yields, animal health and their ability to do business over the next five years. Globally, two-thirds (63%) of large farmers surveyed say they have already taken actions to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions – and two-thirds would like to take (more) action in the next 12 months. Read more here.
U.S. Farmers More Optimistic. According to the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, U.S. farmers surveyed in mid-August were more optimistic about farmland values in the short and long term and about trade prospects. The sponsoring organizations cite the expectation of excellent crop yields and a rally in agricultural commodity prices for the more optimistic sentiments among the farmers they surveyed.
SHP to Host “Wheat Week” Series of Virtual Field Days
U.S. wheat farmers will share their challenges and goals for soil health on their operation during virtual field days Sept. 8 to 10, 2020, sponsored by the Soil Health Partnership (SHP). Farmers who partner with SHP will show participants their field trials Sept. 9 and 10. Click here for more details and to register.
Impact of COVID-19 on World Agricultural Trade. The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat has published a new report noting that agricultural trade has fared better than other sectors during the pandemic, and that initial measures focused on guaranteeing the immediate availability of food have been followed by a second phase of policies seeking to mend broken supply chains and help producers to cope with the “new normal” situation. Read the report here.
Central Plains Farmers Try Spring Wheat. For many growers in Nebraska and Kansas, dryland rotation does help hold moisture and fight weed pressure, but it also leaves an entire year between corn harvest and winter wheat planting. That’s why some growers in the area are experimenting with hard red spring wheat, which is currently grown in the northern plains. Read more about this interesting opportunity for farmers in this article from Nebraska Farmer magazine.
Wheat Foods Council Videos Prove Popular. During the pandemic, the U.S. based Wheat Foods Council pivoted from presentations and exhibits to short, educational videos about health and nutrition targeting “personal trainers” who increasingly influence food choices. This week, WFC shared the news that those videos have now surpassed 1 million views. See the work for yourselves at the WFC YouTube channel, the WFC website or the Center for Nutrition and Athletics website.
Subscribe to USW Reports. USW publishes a variety of reports and content that are available to subscribe to, including a bi-weekly newsletter highlighting recent Wheat Letter blog posts, the weekly Price Report and the weekly Harvest Report (available May to October). Subscribe here.
Follow USW Online. Visit our Facebook page at 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.
