Wheat Industry News From Around the World
Speaking of Wheat
“As president … I talked to experienced producers facing the realities of this downturn in the ag economy, and they feared they would not be able to secure operating credit in 2025 without some form of economic assistance. This legislation provides farmers with a bridge heading into next year. However … enacting a robust, long-term farm bill remains a top priority.” – Keeff Felty, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), in a statement about the introduction of economic assistance for farmers as part of a year-end legislative package.
Happy Holidays from U.S. Wheat Associates!
Your friends at U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) want to extend our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to each of you in this holiday season. This is a time for reflection, celebration, and looking forward to new beginnings. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. We wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and hope that 2025 brings you joy, good health, and prosperity.
War and Wheat
Australian author Dennis Voznesenski has written a new book titled “War and Wheat: Navigating Markets During Global Conflict,” explaining about how developments in the first two world wars impacted global wheat trade, input availability, production, and the ability to maintain adequate reserves. For more about the book and its content, visit Sosland Publishing to read Arvin Donely’s review.
Good News About Grain Foods and Cardiovascular Disease
The Grain Foods Foundation recently reported on a new study published Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine showing consuming high intakes of refined grain foods does not increase one’s risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. The results of the meta-analyses suggest that refined grains do not contribute to the higher CVD risk associated with unhealthy Western dietary patterns. Dr. Glenn Gaesser, a professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University, and a contributor to the Wheat Foods Council, authored the new study.
Do Svidaniya, Wheat Hectares?
Reuters on Dec. 11 reported that Russian farmers, faced with crop losses this year and low global prices, say they will sow less wheat and switch to more profitable crops. Such decisions will have direct implications for global markets, as Russia is the world’s top exporter of wheat. Russian analysts cited leaked data from the state weather agency for November that showed that at least 37% of winter crops, mostly wheat, are in poor condition due to a lack of moisture in the ground, saying this is the worst rating recorded to date. Read more here.
Thank You to Jay O’Neil
Long-time transportation expert Jay O’Neil has announced that while he will continue consulting on freight and commodity markets, he will cease publication of his weekly “Transportation and Export” report. “January 2025 will mark my 52nd year in the Grain business. Yes, I started way back during the Great Russian Grain Robbery,” Jay said. “I greatly appreciate all my report subscribers and readers and thank you for your years of interest and trust.” Thank you, Jay, from your USW friends! Here is a link to Jay’s comprehensive look at the commodity freight market in 2021.
Congratulations to WSU Wheat Breeder
USW recently honored Dr. Arron Carter as the O.A. Vogel Endowed Chair of Wheat Breeding and Genetics at Washington State University (WSU). USW Vice President and West Coast Office Director Steve Wirsching said Dr. Carter “is a once-in-a-generation wheat breeder bringing new technology and methods coupled with persistence to his work.” Wirsching noted that in 2018, Dr. Carter participated in a USW Wheat Quality Improvement Team (WQIT) visiting wheat buyers in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Peru to learn about the end-use quality factors that Latin American buyers value.
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