March 8, 2018
2018/19 U.S. Wheat Planted Area Expected to Increase Despite Dry Conditions
By Stephanie Bryant-Erdmann, USW Market Analyst
Total U.S. planted wheat area will rise 500,000 acres (202,000 hectares) in 2018/19 due to an expected increase in spring wheat area (including durum) according to Joanna Hitchner of the USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board. The USDA held its annual Agricultural Outlook Forum on Feb. 22 to 23, where Hitchner presented the 2018/19 Grain and Oilseeds Outlook. Read the full article here.
Wheat Organization Want the United States to Re-join TPP to Prevent Serious Revenue Loss
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and 33 state wheat organizations have expressed hope in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer that the Administration will prioritize joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to save the valuable Japanese market for U.S. wheat farmers. Read the full article here.
Steel, Aluminum Tariffs Raise the Risk of Relatiation Against U.S. Agriculture
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are extremely disappointed in the decision announced March 1 to impose sweeping tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. We have repeatedly warned that the risks of retaliation and the precedent set by such a policy have serious potential consequences for agriculture. It is dismaying that the voices of farmers and many other industries were ignored in favor of an industry that is already among the most protected in the country. Read the full article here.
U.S. Wheat Trade: A Farmer’s Perspective
By Gary Bailey, Washington Grain Commission Chairman, USW Director and a wheat farmer from St. John, Wash.
As Washington Grain Commissioners, trade has consumed a great deal of our time this past year. Relationships with our international partners are critical to the survival of our trade with countries such as Japan. Most of us have seen the proposed effects on our trade with Japan if the United States stays outside of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): a phased in $65/MT tariff reduction for TPP countries, U.S. market share for wheat falling from 50 percent to about 23 percent, and a reduction of baseline futures prices of $0.50 at a time when prices are already depressed. Read the full article here.
Applauding the Senate Confirmation of Gregg Doud to be Chief Negotiator at USTR
The United States Senate confirmed Gregg Doud to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, March 2, 2018. Trade is a top priority for U.S. wheat farmers and this nomination is welcome news for our growers. Read the full article here.
“Half of the wheat we grow in Texas is exported. Without strong trade agreements like TPP, we can no longer compete in some of our top markets. Missing out on opportunities like this will drive down prices and put farmers out of business.”
— Ben Scholz, Chairman of the Texas Wheat Producers Board and Vice President of the National Association of Wheat Growers
Sincere Condolences to Vince Peterson, USW President, his wife Sandi and their family following the death of his father-in-law, Carl Petersen, Feb. 28, 2018. Vince shared that Carl was four months shy of his 100th birthday and was surrounded by his family, who gave him the greatest joys in life, when he passed away.
The National Wheat Foundation Awards Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarships. At the annual Commodity Classic tradeshow, Feb. 28, the National Wheat Foundation (NWF) and BASF awarded academic scholarships to four future agriculture leaders. This year’s winners included students from Washington state, Kansas, North Dakota and Ohio. “This year’s scholarship recipients are helping to carry on Jerry Minore’s dreams, legacy and love for wheat,” said Phil McLain, NWF Chairman and Northern Carolina wheat grower. “We are very proud to honor this year’s winners, and are excited to see what the future has in store for them.”
Cereal Science Events Calendar. Prof. Dr. M. Hikmet Boyacýoðlu, associate editor of “Cereal Science,” contributing editor to “World Grain” and a cereal science consultant continues to track industry events. Contact him here to receive the calendar.
IGP Institute Grain Purchasing Course. The IGP Institute will host a Grain Purchasing course Apr. 9 to 20, at its conference center in Manhattan, Kan. The course will be split into three parts focusing on Fundamentals of Grain Purchasing; Grain Trading and Hedging; and a field trip to visit an export facility in Portland, Ore., and additional stops in Kansas City, Mo. Participants can choose to attend individual parts or the full course. Learn more and register here.
IGP Institute 2018 Flour Milling Courses. The IGP Institute is offering several flour milling courses in both English and Spanish in 2018 at its conference center in Manhattan, Kan. The course skill levels range from introductory to advanced, and cover a variety of topics including the milling principles, U.S. wheat production, mill maintenance, mill management, flowsheet technology and more. Partners in these courses include the Kansas State University Department of Grain Science and Industry, Buhler Inc., and the International Association of Operative Millers. Click here for more information.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates