News

U.S. Wheat Associates’ Dalton Henry says trade talks have been “largely positive” for wheat, with global buyers still seeing the U.S. as a reliable supplier. Low prices remain the main challenge, highlighting the need for a trade policy reset that secures lasting market access and reins in unfair subsidies. Recent agreements with countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh show promise if treated as binding, long-term commitments. Henry urges farmers to stay engaged through what may be an uncomfortable but opportunity-filled transition.

The University of Idaho Extension has launched a Growing Degree Day Calculator, a digital tool that helps farmers save money, reduce pesticide use, and monitor crop health. The calculator uses daily temperature data to predict when crops and insect pests reach key growth stages—guiding more precise decisions on pesticide applications, irrigation, and fertilization. The tool also incorporates localized weather data and crop models for major Idaho crops like potatoes, wheat, barley, alfalfa, and sugarbeets. It also tracks pest and disease development, helping farmers protect beneficial insects while cutting unnecessary chemical applications.

Warm weather has led to very few low falling number problems in Pacific Northwest wheat this year. Falling number tests measure starch damage caused by pre-harvest sprouting or the enzyme alpha-amylase, which can harm wheat’s baking quality. This year’s crop is strong, and isolated problem spots are easily blended away. A new rapid test by EnviroLogix, now used by large mills and elevators, is drawing wide interest as a simpler, faster alternative to the old test. It measures enzyme activity directly, helping distinguish whether low results come from alpha-amylase or weather-related factors. The findings may reshape how the industry defines wheat “soundness,” separating sprouting damage from enzyme activity.

Camp Rainbow Gold, a nonprofit supporting Idaho children with cancer and their families, has grown from a summer camp into a year-round program with a permanent home in Fairfield, Idaho called Hidden Paradise. As the site develops, it still lacks a kitchen and dining hall—an essential space for shared meals and connection. Idaho’s agriculture community is rallying to help build this vital piece. Join Idaho Wheat and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture on August 9 for a special evening of community, generosity, and purpose as we work together to make this dream a reality.