IDAHO WHEAT COMMISSION

News

Probing our Country’s Soil Health

There is a new nation-wide project called “Probing Our Country’s Soil Health”. It is being funded by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). A major goal of the project is to build a national soil health database and new and improved tools for benchmarking and interpreting soil health metrics. The anonymous data will be used to expand a new and exciting tool called the Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (or SHAPE). This tool helps provide better references for farmers seeking to understand and build soil health. Idaho growers are encouraged to join this important initiative to help shape the future of soil health practices across the nation.

Participants willing to share information on their fields and management practices will receive a free soil health analysis, a soil health book, and gift card.

More information can be found here!

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June 13, 2025
Idaho Wheat Wants to Take YOU out to the Ballgame
We are teaming up with Idaho Barley and the Idaho Grain Producers Association for Idaho Grain Night with the Idaho Falls Chukars on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The first pitch will be thrown at 7:05pm. Scan the QR code or click the link below to reserve your FREE tickets now.
June 13, 2025
U.S. Wheat President Reflects on Dramatic Market Changes
Vince Peterson, retiring president of U.S. Wheat Associates, reflected on major global wheat market shifts during his 50-year career, including the EU and former Soviet Union moving from major importers to exporters—a 120 million-ton trade shift. With global wheat demand expected to grow significantly as the world population nears 10 billion, Peterson emphasized the need to maintain strong international partnerships. He also highlighted rising market volatility driven by financial and algorithmic trading, and called for greater investment in technology and yield improvements, while reaffirming U.S. wheat’s commitment to premium quality.
June 13, 2025
Idaho Water Board Allocates New Money to ESPA Projects
The Idaho Water Resource Board has approved over $30 million to fund water sustainability projects in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) region, supporting a 2024 settlement between junior groundwater and senior surface water users. Funding is split evenly between the east and south-central regions and includes grants for groundwater-to-surface water conversions, surface water efficiency, recharge infrastructure, and monitoring. The projects aim to reduce groundwater use, boost efficiency, and enhance aquifer recharge. State leaders praised the collaborative effort to ensure long-term water sustainability for Idaho’s agricultural communities.
June 13, 2025
Idaho Wheat Commissioners and Staff Participate in North/South Asian Marketing Conferences
Longstanding partnerships between Idaho’s wheat industry and customers throughout Asia were reaffirmed at U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) 2025 North Asia and South and Southeast Asia Marketing Conferences held last month in Da Nang, Vietnam. Fittingly themed “Legacy of Success,” the conferences brought together more than 300 millers, wheat buyers, U.S. wheat farmers, state wheat commission leaders, exporters, and experts in milling, wheat-based foods, and transportation.
June 13, 2025
Idaho Wheat and Idaho Grain Producers Host Legislative Tour Focused on Wheat Exports
Through the support from grower dollars, the Idaho Wheat Commission and the Idaho Grain Producers Association hosted members of the Idaho Legislature and wheat industry partners on the Pacific Northwest Legislative Export Tour in Portland. The tour provided lawmakers a comprehensive look at Idaho’s wheat industry—from production and research to key policy issues such as dam preservation and the critical role of waterways in facilitating wheat exports.