During the regular board meeting held in Moscow this week, Idaho Wheat Commissioners nominated and unanimously elected Commissioner Cory Kress of Rockland to serve as commission chairman for the 2026 fiscal year. At the same time, Commissioner Joe Anderson of Genesee was nominated and elected to continue serving as vice chairman. Commissioner Cliff Tacke of Greencreek previously held the position of chair. Commissioners are appointed by the governor to serve a five-year term, which may be renewed for a second term.

The Idaho Wheat Commission is excited to announce that ground was broken last week at the site of the new, long-anticipated Idaho Wheat building, marking the start of construction. Equipment is now on-site, and crews have begun forming and pouring the footings—a process expected to take approximately 4.5 to 5 weeks to complete.

Despite a rapidly melting snowpack and projections for a hot, dry summer, Idaho farmers are expected to fare well this season thanks to strong water storage reserves. Craig Chandler, watermaster for Idaho’s largest water district in the Upper Snake River Basin, said carryover from last year ensures good irrigation allocations for 2024. However, he noted that natural flows are below average, and if hot, dry conditions persist, carryover into next year could be low.

The University of Idaho has expanded its nematode testing to address a critical need for local farmers facing yield losses due to plant-parasitic nematodes. Led by nematologist Pooria Ensafi at the Idaho Falls campus, the program offers detailed soil analyses, identifies harmful and beneficial nematodes, and provides tailored management recommendations. This local lab saves growers time and preserves sample quality, previously hindered by shipping to western Idaho. Supported by grower assessments, the lab collaborates with a team of crop pathology experts to ensure a comprehensive approach to diagnosing crop issues.

The current administration has halted efforts to breach four Lower Snake River dams in Eastern Washington—Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite. The decision reverses a 2023 Biden-era agreement that had aimed to explore dam removal for salmon recovery. The dam’s play a critical role in transporting U.S. grain and oilseeds, generating renewable energy, and supporting irrigation. Removing the dams would have harmed U.S. agricultural exports, rural economies, and food and energy security.

Genetically modified (GM) wheat may become part of U.S. agriculture within the next decade, following USDA approval of HB4—a drought-tolerance trait developed by Bioceres Crop Solutions. While the trait shows promise, particularly in low-yielding regions like the High Plains, it is less applicable to high-yield areas such as Idaho. Breeding HB4 into U.S. wheat varieties will take 6–10 years, and concerns remain around consumer acceptance and potential export market resistance, especially from countries like Japan and China. Idaho wheat leaders support the technology but advocate for a cautious, market-driven approach, watching global reactions—particularly from Argentina—before moving forward, especially with export-sensitive classes like soft white wheat.

Through the support of grower assessments, the Idaho Wheat Commission hosted a domestic marketing tour in Eastern Idaho and Northern Utah this week for wheat farmers across the state. This tour provides educational opportunities for growers to learn about how their wheat is processed, transported, and utilized beyond the farm. Being equipped with this knowledge, growers can organize their farming operations to meet the needs of the industry. The domestic marketing tour also provides growers with an opportunity to build connections with the domestic wheat supply chain throughout the region.