Wheat Moves in a Sideways Pattern
Successful Farming– 01/11/2019
It was mostly a choppy week, with wheat trading in a narrow range. There was strength early in the week on optimism that China might be buying large quantities of ag products, including wheat. However, without any confirmation of business, the market gave up its gains.
Shutdown Squeezes Overseas Ag Promotion
Agri-Pulse – 01/16/2019
It’s been months since any funds have been available for government programs that help America’s farmers sell their commodities overseas, and U.S. ag groups are already having to cut back on services that keep producers here connected to major foreign buyers. Farm groups have already spent millions on overseas promotion and marketing, counting on Congress to come through with funds that will allow USDA to reimburse them, but concern is mounting as the longest-ever government shutdown continues with no end in sight, says Lorena Alfaro, executive director of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council.
New Partnership Seeks to Accelerate Research into Wheat Genome
BakingBusiness.com – 01/15/2019
Arbor Biosciences, a leader in next generation sequencing target enrichment and synthetic biology, on Jan. 14 announced its partnership with the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (I.W.G.S.C.), an international organization dedicated to developing a gold-standard reference genome for the Chinese Spring bread wheat variety.
Survey: Consumers See Benefits in Whole Grains
World-Grain– 01/11/2019
Whole grains stood out among dietary staples as a food that is positive for digestive health, according to a survey from the London-based consultancy New Nutrition Business. Among consumers asked whether various food choices are good or bad for digestive health, 61% said whole grains are good and only 4.5% said whole grains are bad.
Funding for the Future
Capital Journal – 01/14/2019
The North Dakota Wheat Commission was established in 1959. While research always has been a priority, Olson says the funding level has increased in the past decade. Now $1.2 million to $1.7 million per year — about a third of the budget — goes to research, though the total amount is dependent on crop outlook.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates