October 4, 2018
Important Information for U.S. Wheat Buyers is a Click Away
Originally published September 25, 2018
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) works on behalf of U.S. wheat producers to help the world’s wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six classes of U.S. wheat. Read the full article here.
Hope and Renewal
Originally published September 27, 2018
With the 2018 U.S. winter wheat harvest complete and October right around the corner, U.S. wheat farmers are now seeding a new crop. Across the 18 states that represent 90 percent of the area planted to winter wheat last year, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates that 28 percent of the 2019 crop was planted as of September 23. Read the full article here.
Farewell to Long-Time Colleagues Sadako Ishida and Valentina Shustova
Originally published September 28, 2018
This week, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is saying a fond farewell to two very dedicated colleagues. Ms. Sadako Ishida is retiring from her Program Assistant/Accountant position at USW/Tokyo after 40 years and, with the closing of the USW/Moscow office, Ms. Valentina Shustova is leaving her position as Office Director and Marketing Specialist after 25 years. Read the full article here.
U.S. Farmers in 2018 Produced One of the Best Hard Red Winter Crops in Years
Originally published October 2, 2018
The conscientious husbandry of U.S. farmers and the distinct influence of growing conditions across the Plains and into the Pacific Northwest helped produce a 2018 U.S. hard red winter (HRW) crop that has above average kernel characteristics and, in most cases, higher protein than the previous two crops. Annual crop quality testing sponsored by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and its partners from Plains Grains and USDA indicates the 2018 HRW quality attributes significantly exceed the last two years and many of the 5-year averages. Read the full article here.
USDA Confirms Ample U.S. Wheat Supply in 2018/19, Reassures Customers About Availability
Originally published October 3, 2018
On Sept. 28, USDA released its Small Grains Summary noting that 2018/19 U.S. wheat production increased to 51.3 MMT, up 8 percent from last year due to improvements in both average yield and harvested area. While this is still 8 percent below the 5-year average of 55.8 MMT, the 2018/19 production coupled with significant carry-in stocks ensure that the U.S. wheat store will remain open and well-stocked throughout 2018/19. Here is a look at 2018/19 U.S. wheat production by class. Read the full article here.
“Each of us is still at the negotiating table, and we remain committed to working together on a Farm Bill. Our conversations are productive, and progress toward an agreement is taking shape. We are going to get this right.”
— From a Sept. 26, 2018 statement, on progress of the 2018 Farm Bill by Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn.
Congratulations. We are fortunate to have devoted, loyal colleagues at USW. This month Vice President of Finance Kevin McGarry is celebrating 35 years. Thank you, Kevin, for your service to our organization, to U.S. wheat farmers and to our customers around the world.
National Wheat Foundation Scholarship. The National Wheat Foundation’s Jerry Minore Scholarship honors a student pursuing a career in agriculture and is available to both high school and college students for the 2019-2020 academic year. “The purpose of the Jerry Minore Scholarship is to help students who are passionate about agriculture at school and at home,” said Wayne Hurst, Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation. “Our students are the future. They will go on to educate the next generation about wheat, agriculture, and their role in society.” The application deadline is Dec. 1, 2018. Click here to learn more and apply.
Sending Our Concern. Mother Nature has taken her toll recently in many of the nations that import U.S. wheat. Our thoughts go out to the people of the Philippines, Hong Kong and southern China affected by Typhoon Mangkhut, and to Indonesia’s grieving families and refugees left in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami. We also recognize the many farmers and others in the wheat industry recovering from the flooding after Hurricane Florence in North Carolina.
Congratulations.
Erica Olson, Marketing Development and Research Manager at the North Dakota Wheat Commission, recently welcomed with her husband Craig, a baby girl named Paige Evelyn, who joins her three older siblings. USW wishes the Olson family all the best!
Changes to USW Price Report. Due to increased demand for higher protein U.S. soft white (SW) wheat and the low average protein levels of the 2018/19 crop, the USW Price Report will change this week to show min 9.5 protein premiums (currently about a 20 cent per bushel premium to max 10.5 SW prices) and no longer show an unspecified protein level. Unspecified protein SW has priced equal to max 10.5 SW for the last several months. USW will continue to monitor market conditions and make changes to the report as necessary.
Recent News Releases from USW
Turkey Should Not Retain GSP Preferences Without Fixes on Flour Subsidies
U.S. Wheat Associates Welcomes Formal Trade Talks with Japan
Farm Bill Delay Creates More Uncertainty for Wheat Growers
Wheat Grower Organizations React to New Trade Deal with Canada and Mexico
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates