In 1980, Great Plains Wheat and Western Wheat Associates merged to form U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) to strengthen overseas demand for U.S. wheat. As USW celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2025, it will highlight the dedication of wheat farmers, their state commissions, and global partners, reinforcing the message: "Dependable People. Reliable Wheat." Throughout the year, USW will share stories of commitment and collaboration, emphasizing the advantages of U.S. wheat—high quality, transparent pricing, trusted certification, and expert technical support. These partnerships create a competitive edge, ensuring U.S. wheat remains a top choice for global buyers.

The U.S. government has halted purchases of wheat, soybeans, and other commodities for foreign food aid programs since the current administration initiated a broad review of federal aid spending. This freeze affects major programs such as Food for Progress, Food for Peace, and McGovern-Dole Food for Education. The suspension not only threatens global food aid efforts but also harms U.S. farmers who rely on these programs to support their supply chains and promote their products abroad. Despite a waiver issued to allow food assistance, the USDA has not resumed purchases or provided any communication on the pause. Organizations expecting funds and shipments have faced delays, with some describing the impact as potentially "devastating" to both food aid recipients and U.S. farmers.

Weather expert Art Douglas predicts worsening drought conditions across the U.S., with 60% of the country already affected and dry conditions expected to expand through summer. Douglas forecasted a cold, dry winter and spring, particularly impacting wheat-growing regions. The Pacific Northwest will also face drought risks, with limited precipitation expected in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Severe drought conditions will persist across the West, though some moisture may return to the Pacific Northwest in May, a critical month for crops. Douglas compares the 2025 weather pattern to past years with varying El Nino and La Nina conditions.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources has launched a $2 million grant program to help irrigators in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer region install telemetry and monitoring technology at water diversions. The grant offers up to $250,000 per project, covering 50% of costs. Eligible applicants include groundwater and irrigation districts, canal companies, municipalities, and other water management entities. The initiative aims to improve water management efficiency and ensure sustainable water use in Idaho. Applications are due by March 28th.

Fuel prices have stabilized after years of volatility, with recent declines driven by lower crude oil costs. In the Rocky Mountain region, including Idaho, gasoline and diesel prices dropped significantly in 2023 and 2024. The primary reason for this decline is the fall in crude oil prices, which decreased due to weakened global demand and increased supply. Lower fuel costs could provide modest relief for Idaho farmers, with per-acre fuel expenses for wheat, corn, and barley projected to decline slightly in 2025. While these reductions help stabilize operating costs, fuel prices remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. Despite a stable outlook, uncertainty persists. Farmers will need to monitor these developments to manage their 2025 budgets effectively.

More than 150 Nobel and World Food Prize honorees have asked global leaders to provide financial and political support for groundbreaking “moonshot” technologies to prevent a future hunger crisis. In an open letter, they warned that the world is far from meeting future food demands, with 700 million people currently facing hunger and an additional 1.5 billion needing food by 2050. They emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, conflict, and market pressures. The effort was led by Cary Fowler, 2024 World Food Prize Laureate and former U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security.

The USDA, through agencies like NASS and the Foreign Agricultural Service, publishes numerous reports annually to provide critical agricultural data. For wheat, key reports include Crop Production, Grain Stocks, and the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. Some of these reports serve as economic indicators and are prepared under strict conditions, known as the “Lockup,” to ensure data integrity. These reports provide market information for buyers and sellers planning for the 2025 wheat harvest. U.S. Wheat supports USDA’s mission of ensuring accurate and transparent agricultural data and encourages industry stakeholders to observe the Lockup process to better understand how these reports are compiled.