Offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Business and Economics, the new minor focuses on hands-on learning to prepare students for careers in commodity trading, merchandising, and risk management. The program includes a one-credit summer course, the Portland Grain Trade Tour, which will explore the logistics of the wheat supply chain from Idaho's Snake River dams to the export terminals in Portland. The involvement of the Idaho Wheat Commission and the emphasis on critical commodities, like wheat, underscores the importance of this education in navigating the agricultural markets of the Pacific Northwest.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) ensures customers get the wheat they need at the best value by providing essential market and crop updates. Collaborating with traders, specialists, and USDA staff, USW regularly analyzes and updates these resources. A major tool in this effort is the 2024 Harvest Report, published every Friday during the harvest season. The report offers updates on harvest progress, crop conditions, and quality for various wheat types. It is integral to USW's international technical and marketing programs, helping customers understand how the crop situation might influence prices. The report is widely shared by USW's overseas offices, often in local languages, and is a vital resource for meetings and customer inquiries. Click the link above to subscribe and have the price and harvest reports sent directy to you.

The halt in rail traffic across Canda poses a severe threat to the agricultural sector. For Idaho wheat farmers who rely on smoth corss-border trade for exporting their wheat, the rail stoppage could delay shipments and disrupt supply chains. Over 90% of agricultural products, including grains, are transported by rail in Canada. The impact on the agricultural industry is expected to be significant. With fall harvest underway, the timing of this disruption is concerning, as it could affect grain flow from Canada with ripple effects on wheat markets in Idaho and across the U.S.

Idaho water users are actively negotiating long-term solutions to prevent future water shutoffs during growing seasons, following a temporary resolution reached this year. The focus of these negotiations is to develop a groundwater management plan that protects senior water rights holders while reducing uncertainty for junior holders, aiming to stabilize the aquifer and maintain farmland productivity. Despite recent gains in water levels, the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer has been depleting for decades, creating ongoing challenges for Idaho's water management.

Idaho's wheat farmers continue to meet demand consistently with their winter wheat crops, thanks in part to established crop rotation systems that include wheat, Spring wheat production is also on the rise, with Idaho seeing an 18% increase from last year. Nationwide, overall wheat production is up by 9%, with record-high yield projections for spring wheat. Factors such as rainfall timing, cooler weather, and crop rotation practices are contributing to these trends in wheat production across the Pacific Northwest.

This week, Idaho Wheat staff hosted a trade team from the Philippines. Over the past decade, the Philippines has become one of the top export markets for U.S. wheat, reaching nearly $1 billion in annual sales. It now ranks as the number one market for both hard red spring and soft white wheat classes. Idaho's soft white wheat is perfectly suited for the diverse range of Filipino food products, making it a staple in this expanding market. The team had the opportunity to visit the Port of Lewiston, where they spoke with Manager Scott Corbitt to gain insights into the wheat export process. They also toured a grain elevator and the Lower Granite Dam. Idaho Wheat Commission Chair, Cliff Tacke, hosted the team for a farm tour and dinner.

Environmental activists are advocating for the removal of four dams along the Snake River to protect endangered salmon populations. This proposal has sparked concern among agricultural exporters and farmers, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, which is the largest exporter of wheat. Approximately 45% of the wheat transported via the river originates from the Snake River. This change would significantly affect the 7,500 farm families in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, jeopardizing their ability to competitively market their products.