According to U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the price of U.S. soft white wheat is among the lowest in the global market at $233.32 per metric ton, which could boost future demand despite rising costs for Northwest farmers. U.S. wheat remains competitively priced compared to other countries like Ukraine, Russia, and Germany. Although there are challenges at the farm level, U.S. wheat exports are up in nine out of ten key markets, with total U.S. wheat exports projected to reach 23.1 million metric tons, a 10% increase from last year. USW is working to expand market reach through programs like the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), focusing on markets in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

UI Gold, a hard white spring wheat (HWS) variety developed by Dr. Jianli Chen at the University of Idaho could challenge Dayn, a popular HWS variety in southeast Idaho. UI Gold offers improved protien content, gluten strength, and bread volume. Early trials by The Arthur Companies, a licensed commercial seed producer, showed promising yields of up to 135 bushels per acre in 2023, though 2024 yields averaged 125 bushels per acre due to stripe rust. The introduction of UI Gold is an opportunity for Idaho wheat producers, millers, and buyers looking for enhanced quality and performance in HWS wheat. UI Gold is expected to be commercially available for planting in spring 2025.

Legislation proposed by lawmakers in Idaho and Washington aims to protect the four lower Snake River dams. The Northwest Energy Security Act directs the federal Columbia River power system to follow the 2020 Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which states the dams should not be breached. Supporters argue the dams provide essential benefits, including clean hydropower, transportation, irrigation, and agricultural support, particularly for wheat growers in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. The bill is backed by several lawmakers, organizations, and industry leaders who stress the dams' importance for sustainable power and agricultural efficiency.

The University of Idaho-led Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership (IAMP) program has opened its second enrollment period. This program, which represents the university's largest grant of over $31 million, provides technical and financial support for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. Incentives include payments ranging from $38 to $74 per acre or $1 per head per day for grazing cover crops. IAMP focuses on reducing the climate impact of Idaho's top commodities like potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, barley, hops, chickpeas, and beef while creating sustainable marketing opportunities. Producers can apply by Feb. 21 via the program's website, with applications taking 10–25 minutes to complete.

The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) board of directors elected new officers for the 2025/26 fiscal year during their January 2025 meeting in Washington, D.C. Mike Carstensen of Almira, Washington, was elected as the organization’s next Secretary-Treasurer and will assume office in July 2025. Current Chairman Clark Hamilton of Ririe, Idaho, will transition to Past Chairperson. Hamilton and his wife Kristi own Hamilton Triple C Farms, a diversified operation in eastern Idaho, where they farm alongside their two sons. Their crops include four classes of wheat, as well as barley, potatoes, pulses, and alfalfa. He currently serves as a commissioner on the Idaho Wheat Commission, where he has also served as chair.

The potential introduction of U.S. tariffs on Canadian wheat could disrupt trade. Canadian wheat exports to the U.S. have surged, nearing record levels. While the U.S. is the sixth-largest importer of Canadian wheat, the diversity of Canada’s export markets—spanning 50 countries, including Japan, Indonesia, and South American nations—provides resilience for Canadian wheat prices. If tariffs are imposed, U.S. domestic wheat consumption would likely increase, reducing its export capacity, which could create opportunities for Canadian wheat in global markets. While tariffs on Canadian wheat might provide a temporary boost to Idaho’s domestic market, the long-term effects will depend on global trade adjustments and Idaho’s ability to maintain competitiveness in export markets.

In 2020, the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decided against removing the dams on the Lower Snake River but announced in December their intent to prepare a new supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS). Conservation groups, tribes, and anglers argue the dams are the main reason salmon and steelhead populations have declined in Idaho. The dams play a crucial role in the economy, particularly for Idaho farmers who rely on the river's barge system to transport wheat, a significant crop. Removing the dams could raise costs for farmers, potentially driving them out of business. As discussions continue, the focus remains on balancing salmon recovery with economic stability, with several ongoing studies to address energy, transportation, water, and recreation impacts.