The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Walla Walla District is closing navigation locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers beginning Jan. 14, 2024, for an 11-week outage. "This extended outage will allow the district to perform routine maintenance and to replace aged equipment to reduce the risk of asset failure," notes USACE on their website. Jeff Van Pevenage, president and CEO Columbia Grain, Portland, Oregon, told DTN in an email the maintenance being performed on the system is "important for the long-term viability of the cheapest, most carbon friendly transportation system in the United States.

During the summer of 2023, U.S. wheat export basis levels hovered near record lows as slow demand met seasonal weakness. Across almost all the U.S. wheat classes and export points, export basis levels hovered below average, signaling a unique pricing opportunity for U.S. wheat. Historical trends indicate that basis levels generally hit their lowest point during wheat harvest and increase in October, November, and December as export capacity tightens in response to an influx of corn and soybeans. Following the seasonal pattern, U.S. export basis levels have since risen for all U.S. wheat classes.

USDA officials announced the agency’s Foreign Agricultural Service will award more than $230 million in funding to nearly 70 agricultural organizations. The money will be used to support market expansion efforts. It will be distributed through the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program. Around $174 million will be distributed by the Market Access Program to 68 nonprofits and cooperatives. Those groups will use the funds for brand and customer promotion initiatives in fiscal year 2024.

With a global demand for sustainably grown U.S. wheat on the rise, U.S. Wheat Associates saw an opportunity to showcase the production of U.S. wheat and its sustainability story. So says Vice President of Communications with U.S. Wheat Associates, Steve Mercer.

The sudden turn of weather toward below-freezing temperatures could pose damage to some winter wheat and canola crops that have gotten an early start. Doug Finkelnburg, University of Idaho-Nez Perce County Extension educator, said Tuesday that crops without an insulating layer of snow to protect against this week’s expected frigid zone could suffer some damage. Inland Northwest forecasters say Friday is when below-zero temperatures (with the wind chill factored in) will arrive in the area. The Palouse could see those negative readings, and even the temperate Lewiston-Clarkston Valley might dip into the single digits this weekend, according to the National Weather Service at Spokane.

Idaho agriculture had a strong 2023 and will contribute to the state’s economy substantially again this year, according to analysts. Agriculture is expected to grow by a higher percentage in Idaho than in the nation as a whole largely due to the state’s commodity mix, Brett Wilder, a University of Idaho farm business management extension educator, told the legislature’s Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee Jan. 4. The state’s big dairy sector, for example, provides opportunities to benefit from economies of scale. “Ag producers are in a relatively good position going into 2024,” he said. Inflation and interest rates are concerns, along with geopolitics.

Idaho farmer Justin Place loves all the changes that happen on his farm. "You have a small window — you get something done and then you change to the next job," he said. "Then, a little bit later on, you change to the next job. Always keeping something new and fresh in front of us." But the new president of the Idaho Grain Producers Association doesn't foresee making any big changes during his year-long term. "I feel like we have a pretty tight ship here in Idaho," Place told the Capital Press. "As things arise, then obviously, we'll step to the challenge." Facing challenges is another thing Place enjoys.