Idaho Wheat Commission

History & Mission

In every grain of wheat there lies hidden the soul of a star.

Arthur Machen

Our Mission

The mission of the Idaho Wheat Commission is to increase profitability for Idaho’s wheat-growing families through market development, investments to advance wheat research, and providing education and programs that support Idaho’s wheat growers.

1959

Founding of the Idaho Wheat Commission
Idaho Legislature approves the formation of the Idaho Wheat Commission

Idaho Wheat Commission Formation
With the signature of Governor Robert E. Smylie, the Idaho Wheat Commission was formed.

Western Wheat Associates Formation
Western Wheat Associates, now U.S. Wheat Associates, is formed with Idahoan Chuck Gabby as president.

1968

1989

The Commodity Indemnity Fund is established.

2002

The Seed Indemnity Fund is established

2003

Downtown Office Acquisition
Idaho Wheat Commission buys building located at 821 W State Street in Boise.

2011

Master Research Agreement
Idaho Wheat Commission signs Master Research Agreement with University of Idaho.

2012

Wheat Assessment Increase
Legislature increases wheat assessment from 2 cents to 3.5 cents.

Research Endowment
Idaho Wheat joins with Limagrain to invest in a new research endowment at University of Idaho in Aberdeen.

2013

Cereal Agronomics Investment
Idaho Wheat investment in “Potlatch Joe” Anderson Cereal Agronomics Professorship at University of Idaho.

Idaho Wheat investment in D. Blaine Jacobson Wheat Breeding Professorship at University of Idaho.

2018

Risk Management Investment
Idaho Wheat investment in the Endowed Chair of Risk Management at University of Idaho.

2021

Idaho Wheat Commission licenses UI Cookie for commercial sale

Our History

Wheat has been a steady contributor to Idaho’s economic well-being for well over a century and consistently ranks as the state’s second-largest crop.  
About half of Idaho’s wheat crop is milled domestically for products made here in the United States and the other half is exported to customers in Asia and Latin America.
Idaho ranks in the top six states in the country for wheat production – 100 million acres annually on average.  1.2 million acres are planted each year across the state and yields per acre are among the highest in the nation.
Idaho wheat farmers are committed to producing a reliable crop in both quantity and quality and have come to be recognized as growing one of the most consistent crops in the United States.
Learn More

Historic Gallery

Wheat is one of Idaho’s historic crops. Idaho is one of a few places in the world that successfully produces five of the six classes of wheat. More than half of the total wheat crop in Idaho is soft white wheat. Idaho is also the largest producer of hard white winter wheat in the United States.

View Enabling Statute

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