Idaho wheat farmers have planted about 1.16 million acres of wheat this year, just a slight decrease from last year's 1.17 million acres. Assuming normal weather as the winter wheat crop progresses and spring wheat crops are seeded, wheat futures could feel a downward tug in early summer. While analysts expect wheat price weakness this summer, the near-term outlook is described as less bearish.

The agricultural community is increasingly worried about the profound mental health issues affecting its producers. This highlights the crucial need to tackle stressors and create a dependable support system with trusted advisors. There are many unknowns in agrculture that can cause stress for Idaho farmers. Experts identify these potential stress areas as production risk, financial risk, legal risk, and human risk.

Idaho wheat farmers have more opportunties to help increase global food assistance under a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding program. This funding will provide wheat and other commodities to address food insecurity and will help the U.S. wheat industry continue to be a reliable source of food for the world. Local and national wheat farmers have been partners in U.S. food assistance programs for more than 70 years.

Idaho's wheat production is influenced by climate change in various ways, including temperature and moisture changes, pest and disease challenges, and water availability. Research practices in sustainable farmng, water management, and crop rotation contribute to the resilience of the wheat market against environmental stresses.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is ready to launch another trade team season. Idaho wheat farmer and USW Vice Chairman Clark Hamilton describes farm vists as an important event for customers, and a valuable experience for the farmers who host them. Half of Idaho's wheat is exported to overseas markets, so inviting, hosting, and leading trade teams is a key piece of the puzzle for market development.

Wheat grown in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington travel through the Columbia and Snake River Systems to the Portland habor for global distribution. Portland harbor exports the largest volume of wheat in the U.S., and the Columbia River is the third largest grain exporting center in the world.

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met with Mr. Vince Peterson, President of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), and his accompanying delegation this week in the Prime Minister’s residence in Washington D.C. They discussed future cooperation on the supply of high-quality wheat to Iraq at reasonable prices for flour production that can be supplied to the local market outside of the ration card system, which the government has worked to secure and strengthen its strategic reserve, primarily relying on Iraqi wheat.