The University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) is advancing Idaho’s cereal production through innovative wheat breeding and strategic investments. New cultivars like UI Gold and UI Warrior promise high yields and strong market appeal. Backed by endowments from the Idaho Wheat and Barley Commissions, CALS supports research, faculty, and infrastructure that benefit both growers and the broader agricultural industry. Cereal crops remain vital to Idaho’s economy. CALS is nationally recognized for its research excellence, new facilities, and continued commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Glyphosate is not without risk, but it is one of the most researched and regulated herbicides worldwide. Its vilification stems more from social movements than scientific evidence, combining environmental fears, anti-corporate attitudes, and commercial rivalry. Banning glyphosate without viable, scalable alternatives would increase production costs, lower yields, and threaten food prices — at a time when global supply chains are already under pressure.

U.S. food and ag exports to Mexico surged 65% over the past four years, reaching $31.4 billion in 2024—just shy of Canada’s $32.4 billion. Driven by Mexico’s booming manufacturing sector and rising demand for meat, dairy, grains, and processed foods, the U.S.–Mexico ag trade hit $80 billion. While growth may slow due to economic pressures and a weaker peso, Mexico is on track to become the top buyer of U.S. ag products—especially grain, feed, and oilseeds. Experts call it a “win-win” for both nations’ food systems.

The University of Idaho’s $59 million grant to promote climate-smart farming was canceled after the USDA ended the original program due to high administrative costs. A new initiative, Markets for Producers, requires that at least 65% of funds go directly to farmers. The University of Idaho plans to reapply before the June 20 deadline. While the university is optimistic about reviving the project, many farmers who had prepared to participate now face financial uncertainty and stress the need for continued university support to implement sustainable practices.

Members of the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Food Aid Working Group recently traveled to Kenya to assess the impact and logistics of U.S. wheat donations supporting Africa’s food aid efforts. Their trip included site visits to the Port of Mombasa, flour mills, refugee camps, and meetings with organizations like the USDA, UN FAO, and the World Food Programme. The journey emphasized wheat's crucial role in U.S. food aid programs like Food for Peace and Food for Progress, which are rooted in U.S. farmer support. The visit also included travel to Lesotho to review a poultry-focused food aid project, further showcasing how U.S. wheat and aid programs contribute to humanitarian needs while building long-term partnerships.

Agricultural drones are rapidly transforming global farming by offering a clean, efficient, and scalable technology that’s already delivering results. With over 300,000 drones in use, they’ve treated more than 500 million hectares of farmland, saving water, reducing pesticide use, and cutting carbon emissions equivalent to planting 1.2 billion trees. Unlike traditional farming tools, drones are lightweight, electric, and precise. They enable targeted spraying, improve crop yields, and lower input costs. Beyond spraying, drones gather data and use AI to guide smarter decisions, helping farmers respond quickly to pest outbreaks or nutrient needs.

U.S. grain exports have been strong so far in the 2024-25 marketing year, despite a sharp decline in shipments to China, according to the USDA’s latest Grain Transportation Report. Total grain shipments as of April 3 were up 18% from the same time last year, with outstanding sales up 20%, boosting demand for transportation. Commitments are up 25% from last year, led by strong demand from Mexico, Japan, and Colombia, while China has made virtually no purchases this year. Wheat exports are up 13%, driven largely by increased purchases from Mexico and South Korea, which have offset a 94% drop in Chinese imports.