Last week, representatives from the Japan Biscuit Association toured Washington, Idaho, and Oregon to gain a deeper understanding of U.S. wheat production and quality. Their visit to Idaho included a tour of the Port of Lewiston and a farm tour with Idaho Wheat Commission Chair Cliff Tacke. The goal of this visit was to enhance their knowledge of the consistent, high-quality wheat available from Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.

In late August 2024, wheat futures hit four-year lows due to the Northern Hemisphere harvest and sufficient supplies from aggressive exporters. Futures prices have since rebounded, driven by a weaker dollar, speculative short covering, and escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite the rally, market sentiment remains divided on whether prices will continue upward or revert to a bearish trend. While the market faces challenges, Idaho wheat farmers can find some optimism in the potential for price gains, as harvest-related pressure eases and risk premiums from global events grow.

Researchers from the University of Idaho Extension are conducting trials in Aberdeen and Kimberly to assess the environmental benefits of sustainable farming practices under Idaho conditions. The trials are part of the Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership (IAMP), a project funded by a $55 million USDA grant to promote climate-smart agriculture. Idaho farmers and ranchers participating in the project receive financial incentives to implement these practices. The research, involving crops such as potatoes, wheat, and barley, tests techniques like cover cropping, reduced nitrogen use, and reduced tillage, aiming to improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Agriculture and industry leaders, during a visit to Boise organized by the Western Caucus Foundation, urged Congress to pass a new farm bill. The last farm bill was passed in 2018 and expired in 2023, with a temporary extension in place until the end of September. Leaders like American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall emphasized that the current bill no longer meets the needs of American agriculture, particularly in light of challenges such as COVID and inflation. Five Republican members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, participated in the panel.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) have developed "Wheat Industry Principles for Biotechnology Commercialization" to guide the process. Bioceres' CEO emphasized that commercialization of HB4 wheat in the U.S. will take time and follow industry guidance, requiring key export market approvals and systems to detect HB4 in shipments. USW remains actively engaged in ensuring responsible stewardship of the technology, emphasizing that wheat customers’ preferences must be respected.

The debate over breaching four dams on the lower Snake River to restore wild fish populations, particularly salmon and steelhead remains ongoing. Although more than 205,000 fish passed the Ice Harbor Dam last year, 56% were hatchery-raised, which Native American Tribes and environmental groups argue should not be counted toward wild fish recovery efforts. Historically, up to 2 million wild fish swam the Snake River each year, but today, wild populations are nearing extinction. Tribes and environmental advocates see dam removal as critical to saving these species, while agriculture and industry groups, including wheat growers, oppose breaching, as the rivers are vital for transporting crops. Despite ongoing recovery efforts, wild fish numbers remain low, exacerbated by worsening ocean conditions.

Southeast Asia is the third largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, following North America and East Asia. In 2023, the region imported U.S. agricultural goods valued at $12.9 billion, with soybeans, wheat, cotton, and distillers’ grains making up the majority. Wheat, the second largest U.S. export to Southeast Asia, brought in $1.3 billion. Idaho, as a top wheat-producing state, plays a significant role in this export market, contributing to the U.S.'s strong agricultural ties with Southeast Asia. The export of high-quality wheat from Idaho ensures the region receives essential grain for food production.