University of Idaho researchers are using drones equipped with near-infrared cameras to assess water-use efficiency in wheat and barley varieties across eastern Idaho research plots. The project, funded by a $6,000 UI Extension grant, aims to identify which varieties use water more efficiently, a metric that's difficult to measure. The project also explores how management practices affect water utilization and nitrogen conversion. Gibbons plans to analyze the data this fall, share findings at field days, and potentially expand the experiment to dryland trials. He’s already used the drones in related research, including nitrogen fixation in alfalfa and herbicide efficacy testing.

The Idaho Wheat Commission is set to demolish its historic 1945 office building and replace it with a modern structure designed to better serve the needs of Idaho's agricultural community. By choosing to remain close to the Capitol, the Idaho Wheat Commission underscores its deep connection to the state’s agricultural heritage and economy. This strategic location offers easy access for stakeholders involved in shaping policies that directly impact Idaho’s wheat industry, reinforcing the importance of agriculture as a cornerstone of the state’s economic growth and cultural identity.

Last week, representatives from the Japan Biscuit Association toured Washington, Idaho, and Oregon to gain a deeper understanding of U.S. wheat production and quality. Their visit to Idaho included a tour of the Port of Lewiston and a farm tour with Idaho Wheat Commission Chair Cliff Tacke. The goal of this visit was to enhance their knowledge of the consistent, high-quality wheat available from Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.

In late August 2024, wheat futures hit four-year lows due to the Northern Hemisphere harvest and sufficient supplies from aggressive exporters. Futures prices have since rebounded, driven by a weaker dollar, speculative short covering, and escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite the rally, market sentiment remains divided on whether prices will continue upward or revert to a bearish trend. While the market faces challenges, Idaho wheat farmers can find some optimism in the potential for price gains, as harvest-related pressure eases and risk premiums from global events grow.

Researchers from the University of Idaho Extension are conducting trials in Aberdeen and Kimberly to assess the environmental benefits of sustainable farming practices under Idaho conditions. The trials are part of the Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership (IAMP), a project funded by a $55 million USDA grant to promote climate-smart agriculture. Idaho farmers and ranchers participating in the project receive financial incentives to implement these practices. The research, involving crops such as potatoes, wheat, and barley, tests techniques like cover cropping, reduced nitrogen use, and reduced tillage, aiming to improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Agriculture and industry leaders, during a visit to Boise organized by the Western Caucus Foundation, urged Congress to pass a new farm bill. The last farm bill was passed in 2018 and expired in 2023, with a temporary extension in place until the end of September. Leaders like American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall emphasized that the current bill no longer meets the needs of American agriculture, particularly in light of challenges such as COVID and inflation. Five Republican members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, participated in the panel.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) have developed "Wheat Industry Principles for Biotechnology Commercialization" to guide the process. Bioceres' CEO emphasized that commercialization of HB4 wheat in the U.S. will take time and follow industry guidance, requiring key export market approvals and systems to detect HB4 in shipments. USW remains actively engaged in ensuring responsible stewardship of the technology, emphasizing that wheat customers’ preferences must be respected.