Wheat Industry News
News and Information From Around the U.S. Wheat Industry
Speaking of Wheat
“Mark’s passing is a great personal and professional loss for our organization and the wheat farmers we serve. Mark embraced his work and our mission with enthusiasm; as a result, our technical experts are better equipped and motivated partners for our many customers across the world. Our most sincere sympathy goes out to Mark’s family and to the wheat community he loved.” — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) President Vince Peterson on the passing of Vice President of Global Technical Services Mark Fowler Feb. 20, 2023.
Viterra’s Acquisition of Gavilon
Gavilon has been officially rebranded as Viterra across its business in the United States and Mexico, following Viterra Ltd.’s purchase of the grains origination and storage and food ingredients business of Gavilon Agriculture Investment Inc. in 2022. Omaha, Neb., will remain the headquarters for Viterra’s U.S. and Mexico business. This change will not impact any open contracts, banking information, or tax identification numbers, the company said. Read more here.
McGovern-Dole Food Aid Applications Open
USDA FAS is accepting fiscal year 2023 applications for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which helps support education, child development and food security in low-income, food-deficit countries around the globe. Information can be found on Grants.gov and on the Food Aid Information System website at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/food-aid-information-system.
Pacific Rim Trade Barriers
Wheat farmers are well-suited to benefit from bilateral trade agreements that parallel the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, says Dalton Henry, USW Vice President of Policy. “We don’t need back in CPTPP immediately, because right now we’re back on a level playing field with the Canadians and Australians,” Henry said. “So when you hear other commodity groups pounding that drum a little harder, with a little bit more urgency, it’s probably because they still face barriers we were fortunate enough to get taken care of.” Read the article from Capital Press here.
World Food Prize Nominations
The World Food Prize Foundation said this week it is accepting nominations for its 2024 World Food Prize Laureate until May 1. The foundation published the eligibility criteria and said the prize “is the preeminent award for individuals improving our global food system.” Learn more here.
New Grain Facility Aims Toward PNW
CHS Inc. is calling a new 1.1 million bushel grain facility, to be built this spring in southeastern South Dakota. The main destination for the wheat and corn from the facility is the Pacific Northwest for export, the company said. The facility will feature “fast and efficient receiving and loadout capabilities” according to a press release. Read more here.
No BASF Hybrid Wheat for North American Farmers
Global chemicals and crop seeds company BASF announced this week it is halting development of hybrid wheat in North America after results of seed trials failed to reach development goals. BASF said it will instead focus development of the new type of wheat in European markets, aiming to launch the technology there “toward the end of the decade,” the company said.
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