The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) expressed support for the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) recent counter-notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding India’s high levels of domestic support for wheat and rice. Alongside Argentina, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine, the U.S. highlighted India's non-compliance with WTO commitments, arguing that India’s subsidies and stockpiling distort trade and undermine fair competition for global wheat markets.

As the 2024 harvest season wraps up in the Northern Hemisphere, planning and market expectations are already shifting toward the 2025 crop year. Dry conditions, particularly concerning for winter wheat planting, are creating challenges. The USDA’s initial winter wheat condition report rated only 38% of crops in good or excellent condition—a reflection of the hot, dry weather. Fortunately, recent rains in the U.S. Southern Plains have helped, lifting the good/excellent rating to 44%. Idaho wheat farmers, like those across the U.S., are carefully monitoring weather patterns and market dynamics as they plan for spring planting.

The Wheat Foods Council (WFC), funded by wheat farmers, works to increase domestic wheat food consumption by promoting nutritional benefits and educating the public. Partnering with the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and involving all players in the wheat value chain—farmers, millers, and bakers—the WFC aims to counteract misperceptions about enriched wheat foods and improve wheat’s reputation amidst low-carb diet trends. WFC encourages the inclusion of wheat foods, aiming to make them a valued staple. This strategy, supported by state wheat checkoff dollars, strengthens the market for U.S. wheat, benefiting farmers by broadening the consumer base and enhancing wheat's image as a nutritious, essential food choice.

The J.R. Simplot Family Foundation has endowed the University of Idaho’s first deanship within its College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), marking a significant commitment to Idaho agriculture. Named the J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean, the position honors the Simplot family's legacy and will provide sustained funding to advance the college’s strategic priorities. The endowment allows CALS to enhance its leadership, attract high-caliber faculty, support innovative projects, and improve student experiences Agriculture, representing 17% of Idaho's economy in 2023, benefits from CALS’s research and education efforts, supported by collaborations with stakeholders like the Simplot Company.

As harvest season ends, Idaho wheat farmers and others focus on preparing for the next growing cycle by assessing soil health. According to University of Idaho's Soil and Water System Associate Professor, Zachary Kayler, farmers test their soil for nutrients and evaluate fertilizer needs, pest management, water resources, and organic matter to enhance future crop yields, including wheat. This work aligns with a $50 million Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership (IAMP) grant awarded to the University of Idaho in 2022 to help reduce farming greenhouse gas emissions and develop sustainable soil practices.

Pacific Northwest wheat leaders recently traveled to Peru and Chile, two key markets for soft white wheat, to strengthen relationships and better understand local market needs. Representatives from the Washington, Idaho, and Oregon wheat commissions engaged with South American buyers who use soft white wheat in unique ways, including cookies, crackers, and blending it with bread wheat—a contrast to its use in Asian markets. The U.S. Wheat office in South America, supported by PNW wheat farmers, provides training on soft white wheat’s benefits, further enhancing its appeal to regional millers. With Latin America’s growing middle class, wheat leaders see significant market potential and plan to increase outreach efforts to ensure their wheat aligns with local preferences and demands.

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