Wheat Septoria, the fungus Zumoseptoria tritici, is one of the most damaging, rapidly evolving threats to wheat production. The disease is endemic to areas of western Europe and the Willamette Valley of Oregon. New research led by Rothemsted University has identified a set of essential genes and proteins that are in common across 18 different strains of the disease.

New research has identified genes for ‘non-target site herbicide resistance’ (NTSR) as contributing to higher levels of herbicide resistance in weeds. Herbicides are inherently designed at a specific target in plants. Resistance generally occurs when there is a specific mutation that impacts or changes that site.

Following recent meetings with the U.S. trade representative's office, agricultural dignitaries from Kenya had two sightseeing requests. They wanted to visit the top of the Washington Monument, and they wanted to go to a Wal-Mart — specifically, a supercenter selling groceries. These requests crystalized two important things about trade.

Wheat trade is another reminder that the wheat market remains on edge, with prices shooting higher as Russian missiles passed over the airspace of Moldova and Russia increased its attacks on Ukraine.

As the COVID-19 pandemic fades into a not-so-distant memory, one can remember a time when “Supply Chain Disruptions” made every headline and container backlog in the Port of Long Beach required direct intervention from the U.S. government. Since the highs hit in the fall of 2021 freight prices have dropped to lows not seen since June 2020.

As Congress gears up for Farm Bill reauthorization, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) are announcing advocacy tools and resources to engage with their legislators on the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act (S. 176) and Agriculture Export Promotion Act (H.R. 648), which the wheat industry welcomed. Because half of the wheat grown in the United States is exported, wheat growers have a deep understanding of the importance of trade and market development.

About half Idaho's wheat and the wheat grown in the United States is exported. Who is eating the wheat you grow? How are our trade relationships overseas?