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The most relevant industry news curated specifically for Idaho’s wheat growers.

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Feeling Sad or Depressed this Season? You're Not Alone

Even in the best of years, the fall and winter months can be an emotionally challenging time for many people. Feelings of sadness or depression, sometimes referred to as the “winter blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), can increase as the days get shorter and colder. Mental Health America reports, in any given year, about 5% of the U.S. population experiences seasonal depression. SAD is more than just a fleeting feeling of gloom. It’s a type of depression that recurs at the same time each year, typically starting in the late fall and early winter, then subsiding during the spring and summer months.

China Develops Higher Yielding Wheat

Chinese scientists have developed higher yielding wheat for bread production, according to a research paper published in the latest issue of Plant Biotechnology Journal. Using CRISPR-CAS9 genome editing and by identifying molecular mechanisms that affect grain development, researchers from several institutions in China boosted the length and weight of wheat, the paper said. China is the world’s largest wheat producer.

Global Events Affect Wheat Market

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused an immediate disruption in the global wheat market, with serious implications for food prices and global food security. Wheat is a staple commodity in many countries and one of the most extensively traded crops worldwide. Global wheat prices increased by 28 percent in the early phases of the war, but within a few months, they began to decrease. They remain two percent to three percent greater than before the invasion.

Importance of Trade, Relationships-Building Discussed as Leaders Gather in Washington

Agricultural trade – including topics tied closely to the work of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) – was a major focus during the 100th annual Ag Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C. A panel discussion titled, “100 Years of U.S. Ag Trade; A Century of Growth, Innovation, and Progress” was the highlight of the first day. The panel featured speakers from USDA, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Clark Mather Selected as Northwest RiverPartners' Next Executive Director

The Northwest RiverPartners Board of Directors has selected Clark Mather as the association’s next executive director. Mather will officially take over leadership responsibilities on April 1. Heather Stebbings, who has served as interim executive director since December 1, 2023, will assist in the transition process. “We’re excited to welcome Clark to the organization, as he comes to us with a depth of knowledge and expertise,” said Rich Wallen, Northwest RiverPartners board chair. “At such a critical time for hydropower in our region, Northwest RiverPartners needs to focus on promoting and protecting our hydropower assets.

Building the Future of Idaho Farming

After a slow start, the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is finally poised to begin a monumental project to build farming systems that will stand up to the challenges of climate change. The Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnerships for Idaho — commonly known at IAMP — has been awarded $55 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It’s the largest grant in the university’s history and was among 70 projects awarded nationwide from a $2.8 billion investment in the department’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. More than half of the money will be paid out to growers who enroll in the program.

Tribes, Officials Sign Columbia River Basin Agreement on Snake River Dams

Tribal representatives and the governors of Washington and Oregon met with federal officials at the White House on Feb. 23 to sign the Columbia River Basin Agreement, reached during mediation over a long-running lawsuit targeting Snake River dam operations. None of the speakers mentioned breaching the lower Snake River dams. Tribal leaders and agricultural stakeholders have said the deal is a pathway to breaching. Authority to breach the dams remains with Congress.

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