Wheat Industry News
Recent news and highlights from around the U.S. wheat industry.
Speaking of Wheat
“All indications are that our wheat has seemed to survive the wild temperature swings we experienced over winter and early spring so far. A dry early spring is not abnormal for our area, and we are bound to get some more moisture soon. We’ll just keep waiting.” – Lee Lubbers, a wheat farmer from Gregory, South Dakota, in a report on crop progress in Agriculture.com. Photo above: Chet Edinger, Mitchell, S.D., 2020.
USDA: Many Reasons for High Commodity Prices and Food Insecurity
Several factors have sent global agricultural commodity prices to near-record levels. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – and the potential loss of Ukrainian exports – was the latest development. Other factors, which date back to late 2020, include increased global demand; drought-reduced supplies; tightening wheat, corn, and soybean stocks in major exporting countries; high energy prices pushing up the costs of fertilizer, transportation, and agricultural production; export bans and restrictions. Read the full report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service here.
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Concerned About Crucial Lock and Dam System
The call to remove dams and locks on the Lower Snake River for ecological reasons is gaining political strength, but breaching the dams would hurt U.S. wheat farmers and likely diminish the United States as the world’s most reliable wheat supplier. Learn more about a study intended to identify the costs of breaching here. Watch Wheat Letter for more information about why the Columbia Snake River System is so important for farmers and overseas wheat buyers.
Washington Grain Commission is Hiring
The Washington Grain Commission (WGC) seeks applicants for Program Director, a position based in Spokane, Wash. The WGC seeks a dynamic, career-oriented individual who wants to grow with the Commission. The Program Director will support the Commission’s implementation of market promotion, research, and education programs on behalf of small grain farmers in Washington State. Learn more about the position and how to apply here.
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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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