The current administration announced new trade deals with Japan and Indonesia that aim to expand U.S. agricultural exports by eliminating tariffs and reducing regulatory barriers. Japan, a major importer of U.S. farm goods, will open its market to more products while U.S. wheat producers stand to benefit from improved access. Indonesia agreed to remove 99% of its tariffs and purchase $4.5 billion in U.S. agricultural goods—including soybeans, wheat, and cotton. The agreement builds on a recent commitment by Indonesian flour millers to double U.S. wheat purchases over the next five years. U.S. Wheat Associates and other ag groups praised the deals, which are expected to reverse export declines caused by restrictive trade policies.

Parts of Idaho are experiencing severe drought, putting the region—especially the Magic Valley—at high wildfire risk. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reports extremely dry conditions and has fully staffed firefighting crews, with additional support arriving from Oregon and Montana. Nearly a dozen wildfires have already sparked this week, including lightning-caused fires near the Utah-Nevada border. Farmers in Southern Idaho are on alert, keeping equipment ready to quickly contain fires. Wheat fields, in particular, pose a high fire risk, prompting early harvests as a key mitigation strategy. As conditions worsen, officials urge the public to stay vigilant and help prevent wildfires.

Under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with U.S. Wheat Associates, the Government of Bangladesh has committed to purchasing 700,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat annually for the next five years. Signed on July 20 in Dhaka, the agreement aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s food security and trade ties with the U.S., while offering American wheat farmers consistent demand in a key export market. U.S. and Bangladeshi officials highlighted the deal as a step toward reducing the trade imbalance and ensuring a stable, high-quality wheat supply for Bangladesh. Historically a price-sensitive buyer, Bangladesh’s commitment marks a significant shift toward long-term procurement of U.S. wheat.

In 1975, officials celebrated the completion of the Lower Snake River dams, a $1 billion project that turned Lewiston, Idaho, into an inland port and boosted energy, irrigation, and shipping. Concerns over the dams’ impact on salmon and steelhead quickly emerged and have persisted for decades. A Biden-era agreement to explore breaching the dams for fish recovery—backed by tribes and Northwest states—was recently ended by the Trump administration. Rep. Dan Newhouse supports keeping the dams, favoring alternative salmon recovery efforts. Nez Perce Tribal Chairman Shannon Wheeler argues that breaching is essential to honor treaty rights and restore salmon populations. The Pacific Northwest remains sharply divided over whether to prioritize economic benefits or ecological and tribal responsibilities.

Idaho water officials projected a 75,300 acre-foot shortfall for Twin Falls Canal Co., up 19.5% from April due to a dry spring and early snowmelt. Under Idaho’s conjunctive water management system, junior groundwater users must prove by July 25 they can mitigate their share or face curtailment. Users participating in an approved mitigation plan will avoid curtailment. The updated methodology, revised in 2023, requires that water owed to senior users be delivered the same year, prompting an earlier curtailment deadline ahead of the September 30 season close.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and Indonesia’s flour milling association APTINDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which APTINDO committed to doubling its U.S. wheat purchases to 1 million metric tons annually over the next five years. The agreement aims to strengthen trade relations, meet Indonesia’s growing demand for high-quality wheat, and support the country's milling sector. Indonesia has historically imported about 500,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat annually but exceeded 792,000 metric tons in the 2024/25 marketing year. Under the MOU, Indonesia will purchase at least 800,000 metric tons in 2025 and scale up to 1 million metric tons annually—valued at $250 million—through 2030.

The Idaho Wheat Commission hosted the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Summer Board Meeting in Boise this week, where Idaho Wheat Commissioner Clark Hamilton was recognized for his service as Chairman of the Board. USW, the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry, promotes the reliability, quality, and value of U.S. wheat to buyers, millers, bakers, food processors, and government officials in over 100 countries. During his time as Chair, Clark focused on listening to and engaging with customers, making sure USW was meeting their needs. He pushed for smart marketing strategies that helped strengthen both the U.S. and Idaho wheat industries. Clark will now serve as past chairman, while Jim Pellman, a wheat farmer from North Dakota, has assumed the role of chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates