The U.S. agricultural sector faces significant risks from three major disruptions to shipping infrastructure, according to the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and nearly 200 organizations. The NGFA warned that stalled labor negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance could lead to a strike or lockout, affecting 40% of U.S. containerized agricultural exports. In addition, Mexican-imposed rail embargoes threaten the flow of agricultural goods to Mexico, one of the largest markets for U.S. products. These transportation issues are worsening financial strain for U.S. farmers.

Grain Craft is well-known in the flour milling industry and has acquired Central Milling, Inc., a prominent supplier of organic flour in the U.S. Central Milling, based in Logan, Utah, has been in operation for over 150 years. The company operates three mills in Utah and has a strong reputation in the artisan baking community, offering a variety of organic flours and grains. The acquisition aims to strengthen both companies, with Grain Craft bringing resources and relationships to support Central Milling’s growth while preserving its commitment to sustainability and traceability in sourcing wheat directly from growers.

The Idaho Grain Producers Association is excited to announce the appointment of Amaya Aguirre-Landa as the next Executive Director. Aguirre-Landa replaces outgoing IGPA Executive Director Stacey Satterlee who left in early September to lead the Idaho Bankers Association. An Idaho native, Aguirre-Landa has deep roots in the state’s agricultural community. Married to a farmer from a multi-generational family farm in Homedale, her in-laws cultivate crops such as sugar beets, corn, alfalfa, and wheat.

The first round of the University of Idaho's Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership (IAMP) program has concluded, with 50 applicants seeking to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices. Led by UI professors Sanford Eigenbrode and Erin Brooks, the program provides technical and financial assistance to Idaho farmers and ranchers aiming to implement sustainable practices like no-tillage, crop rotation, and nutrient management. The program focuses on crops like potatoes, wheat, barley, and beef, with priority given to underserved farmers, including veterans, women, and socially disadvantaged groups. Additional application rounds will be held in the fall and spring as the program pushes forward.

The global wheat market has been a topic of concern for the past four years. While global wheat supplies have generally exceeded predictions, India's recent move to import wheat could signal a tighter market than anticipated. The Northern Hemisphere's wheat harvest is volatile, with factors like Russia's decreased yield and lower-than-expected harvests in Canada and the EU contributing to supply uncertainties. India’s potentially increasing demand could benefit U.S.wheat farmers. As part of the larger U.S. wheat production system, Idaho's wheat—renowned for its quality—stands to benefit from increased global demand.

University of Idaho researchers are using drones equipped with near-infrared cameras to assess water-use efficiency in wheat and barley varieties across eastern Idaho research plots. The project, funded by a $6,000 UI Extension grant, aims to identify which varieties use water more efficiently, a metric that's difficult to measure. The project also explores how management practices affect water utilization and nitrogen conversion. Gibbons plans to analyze the data this fall, share findings at field days, and potentially expand the experiment to dryland trials. He’s already used the drones in related research, including nitrogen fixation in alfalfa and herbicide efficacy testing.

The Idaho Wheat Commission is set to demolish its historic 1945 office building and replace it with a modern structure designed to better serve the needs of Idaho's agricultural community. By choosing to remain close to the Capitol, the Idaho Wheat Commission underscores its deep connection to the state’s agricultural heritage and economy. This strategic location offers easy access for stakeholders involved in shaping policies that directly impact Idaho’s wheat industry, reinforcing the importance of agriculture as a cornerstone of the state’s economic growth and cultural identity.